Zombie setting where the undead are drawn towards unhygienic scents, so survivors constantly bathe to avoid being eaten.
Zombies are docile when adorned with flowers.
Settlements overgrown with herbs and flora.
Barely any banditry; everyone is focused on farming and gathering.
Different human factions and towns named after flowers like Lilies, Orchids, Roses, etc.
Instead of immediately killing an infected survivor, they’re given special funeral rites - the zombie is covered with flowers to keep them calm, and allowed to walk out from the settlement to join the hordes.
Thank you all for the responses!!!! I got a few more notes to share from folks asking me about this setting :D
It’s incredibly risky to attack zombies. The scent of
the attacker’s aggressive intent coupled with spilled pungent rotten blood drives other zombies into a frenzy.
Zombies given funeral rites grow flowers within their bodies, eventually bursting from their chest and head area. These zombies are naturally gentle and their presence tames other zombies in the vicinity. Due to their helpfulness, it’s taboo to harm “blooming” undead:
Sweaty summers are the worst and everyone hopes they have enough dried flowers to last the winter.
It’s a colourful apocalypse! An overabundance of flowers in the world leads to plenty of dyes and busy little honey bees!! Scented candles are a thriving export.
Survivors who help spread flowers, look after “blooming” undead, cull the hordes, and herd zombies away from safe areas are affectionately called Florists.
Regular weapons such as guns and knives are still used but everyone prefers perfumed water guns, spray bottles, and incense.
Zombies are so overwhelmed by the pleasant scent of rain that entire hordes cease movement until it’s gone.
