Scorched Plague

The Scorched Plague is a contagious infection that resulted in the deaths of most Appalachians between 2085 and 2103.

Background
In 2083, the Appalachian Enclave conducted research on mutations, running experiments on bats. When the bats were accidentally exposed to biochemical agents and radiation, they mutated, creating scorchbeasts and the Scorched Plague. In 2086, Thomas Eckhart unleashed the scorchbeasts into Appalachia.

Initial scorchbeast sightings were often dismissed as rumors or hallucinations. The Responders at Morgantown Airport first received word of the Scorched threat from the Brotherhood of Steel, and attempted to develop countermeasures, such as training the Fire Breathers, a group specifically trained to face the creatures. The Free States operating within the Mire suffered the loss of Harpers Ferry to the scorchbeasts in 2086, and in response, developed technology such as the Scorched Detection System and the scorchbeast lures to track their movements.

The Fire Breathers discovered that ultracite deposits become volatile when coming into contact with depleted ultracite. Using this information, they and the Appalachian Brotherhood of Steel created specialized weapons such as receiver modifications and laser guns to more effectively combat those infected. In addition, the research efforts of Dr. Claire Hudson made progress on the early stages of vaccination development but were forced to abandon their work. Unable to combat the spread of the plague, some groups fled the region. Ultimately the efforts of the Responders, Brotherhood of Steel, Free States, and Raiders were unsuccessful and their factions destroyed.

In 2102, Vault 76 opened and the inhabitants reentered Appalachia. Following the trail of their overseer, the Vault Dwellers discovered what became of the region's factions, and finished what the groups had started. They began to manufacture vaccination for the plague after Settlers, Raiders, and other groups began to return to the region. Later in the year, word of this inoculation would spread beyond Appalachia via caravans. Upon arrival in Appalachia, the Brotherhood First Expeditionary Force received the inoculation as well. The Vault Dwellers' efforts culminated in utilizing the region's nuclear missile silos to launch a strike against Fissure site Prime and subsequently destroying the scorchbeast queen.

Characteristics
The disease is spread by direct contact or droplets. The Vault 76 overseer describes the creatures flying overhead to be capable of infecting those below from the sky. It causes both humans and creatures to transform into Scorched.

The effects start with a series of significant physical changes in its victims. At first, the victim's skin will darken, and smell of ash. Eventually, intense burning lesions begin to form. After some time, the victim's skin will split open, exposing the presence of green ultracite crystals that break up from beneath their skin. The plague results in subjects being controlled by a hive mind. Human Scorched are able to utilize weaponry, including firearms.

Creatures

 * Appear as Scorched variants


 * Do not appear as Scorched variants

Behind the scenes
The Scorched Plague is similar to the real world fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which destroys an animal's soft tissue, causing death during hiberation. The fungus has destroyed a large portion of the tricolored bat (Pipistrellus subflavus) population, from which scorchbeasts are possibly descended, as noted by Ella Ames.

Appearances
The Scorched Plague appears only