The Tyrant-Abyss Virus is a marine bioweapon capable of creating powerful aquatic mutants. Developed under the University of Montpellier, TRICELL, and the FBC, it was responsible for the Terragrigia Panic. It is rarely used itself due to being a massive environmental risk under certain conditions like t-Veronica and Uroboros, but it paved the way for the development of efficient marine B.O.W.s.
During the fourth expedition to the Kermadec trench, the University of Montpellier discovered a new species of fish able to survive extreme depths due to mutations caused by a previously unknown virus. This virus, named the Abyss, was able to infect a vast variety of marine life, and could produce mutations in hosts reminiscent of traits seen in various kinds of fish. Because of this, it is believed that like Progenitor and the insect virus discovered by Alexia, the Abyss was involved in the development of life in the ocean. Since Progenitor can infect both insects and fish, however, and because it's potential to create new animals is unlimited, it is safe to assume Progenitor's role was more universal. But since marine mutations caused by Progenitor are minimal, perhaps it, the Insect Virus and the Abyss are actually all variants of the same virus, with each strain adapting to it's respective environments/hosts.
The Abyss converts the host's body fat and liquid into strong muscle and bone, creating a high-density frame capable of withstanding extreme pressure. It also causes host body fluids to be rapidly metabolized, and when transferred through blood there is a 99.76% probability of infection. In oral consumption of water containing the virus, the probability of infection is significantly lower (a detail which comes into play with the survivors of the Queen Dido, covered later). The Abyss' infection speed is greater than even the t-Virus. Speaking of which...
Weaponization
While the Abyss could not infect land animals, it's abilities in sea life exceeded the t-Virus, which had minimal success in marine B.O.W.s such as with Neptunes. FBC (Federal Bioterror Commission) director Morgan Lansdale and Excella Gionne (TRICELL corporation executive) collaborated in the development of a hybrid strain created from both viruses in order to create a weapon with enhanced capabilities. By splicing genes from the t-Virus into the Abyss, t-Abyss was created. Like T, t-Abyss was capable of infecting any organism, be it human, fish, etc., and at the same time retained the advantages of both viruses, resulting in a virus superior to T.
Lansdale betrayed Excella and kept the virus to himself. He orchestrated a massive outbreak that destroyed the floating city of Terragrigia by supplying t-Abyss and Hunter B.O.W.s to the organization Il Veltro ("The Greyhound", a Dante-inspired Italian student group turned radical nationalist terrorist organization). Lansdale did this in order to expand the influence of the FBC and to raise awareness of the danger posed by B.O.W.s. Lansdale afterwards betrayed Il Veltro and released the virus on their base of command: the sister cruise liner ships Queen Semiramis, Queen Zenobia, and Queen Dido. The Dido afterwards sunk to the bottom of the sea, while Lansdale used the other ships to study the spread of the virus and develop both new B.O.W.s and a vaccine for t-Abyss.
The BSAA eventually exposed Lansdale, leading to his arrest. But a sample of t-Abyss was recovered by triple-agents Raymond Vester and Jessica Sherewat, which was given to TRICELL for further bioweapons development.
Effects
t-Abyss exceeds the t-Virus in infection speed and effectiveness in both land and sea hosts. Besides creating more practical fish B.O.W.s, it can also produce aquatic animal traits in human hosts, such as camouflage, bioelectrogenesis, and the ability to create illusions. Hosts of t-Abyss commonly develop the ability to breathe in both air and water (while some hosts such as Zombies do not breathe at all, they lack the energy needed to operate efficiently), greatly increasing their adaptability in combat. t-Abyss also makes hybridizations between land and sea animals much easier, and can even be used to enhance the abilities of other B.O.W.s.
While at least as virulent as the t-Virus on land, t-Abyss' spread speed is unimaginably fast in water. If a sufficient amount of the virus were released into the ocean, the entire sea would be affected as the virus starts a chain reaction of infection starting with microorganisms. This would result in an apocalyptic scenario very quickly. Water containing the virus turns red, like blood, for some reason.
Ooze
At first, the incredible infection speed and drastic mutations caused by t-Abyss resulted in the body's cells breaking down and in the death of the host, a problem shared with Progenitor. After modifications to the virus slowed it's activity, total collapse was avoided, but cellular integrity was still compromised. Like T with Zombies, t-Abyss hosts are simultaneously weakened and strengthened, walking the line between life and death. Due to the relationship with liquid possessed by the Abyss, however, the "Zombies" created by t-Abyss, called Oozes, are significantly different.
As t-Abyss infects cells, the cell membrane begins to absorb excess water, causing it to swell due to osmotic pressure. The body's tissue begins to dissolve and fuse as a result, yet the host is kept active thanks to strengthened vitality.
Ooze bone and flesh has partially liquified, resulting in the deformation of the body. Facial features are wiped away along with sex organs, and they greatly resemble bloated, waterlogged corpses. While Oozes struggle to maintain a humanoid form because of this, due to the regenerative abilities from the t-Virus Ooze tissue can partially resolidify. This allows them to "pour" themselves through cracks and air vents to silently ambush prey and quickly navigate narrow spaces. While their bones are fragile, they can be mended in seconds. It's like fighting a puddle.
Due to the rapid overconsumption of body fluids due to the Abyss, Oozes are constantly dehydrated. This is not a problem for underwater creatures, but land-based hosts like Oozes must constantly replenish their fluids by drinking the blood and body fluids of others, rather than consuming flesh like Zombies. The tongues of Oozes have adapted to accomplish this, and in line with the fish qualities of t-Abyss, have transformed to resemble lamprey eels. They possess hundreds of sharp teeth in an opening at the end of the tongue, each capable of individual movement, and the tongue is so large that Oozes must disconnect the jaw to use it.
The liquified bones of Oozes seep out through the ends of the arms, then solidify on the outside, giving them sharp and blunt weapons. These usually result in Ooze hands becoming shapeless, bloody clubs, but two unique types exist.
Ooze Pincers have developed large, foldable claws with impressive reach, and have two intersecting, vertical rows of sharp teeth.
Ooze Tricornes have distributed the mass from the left arm to the right, causing the left to become a nub and the right to swell into a form resembling an anchor or a crossbow. This "anchor" can launch bone projectiles, like the mutant forms of Hilda and Simmons, or like Strelacs. Tricornes have a single eye on the center of the head.
Another effect of t-Abyss is the buildup of internal gases that cause the host to expand and explode. This was seen in a Globster in the second level of Revelations, but is more prominently seen in the Ooze Chunk, which act as suicide bombers. Chunks are created when an Ooze absorbs too much water, causing it to swell into a mass of useless flesh on legs.
Most female hosts actually do not become Oozes, but there is at least one exception: Rachel Foley. She retained her intelligence and fine motor control, being able to speak, retreat, and run, and was able to regenerate extensively. Her right arm split open, and her mutated tongue emerged from a second mouth on the forehead. The development of extra arms and mouths seems to be a recurring symptom in t-Abyss hosts (Rachel, Scagdead, Sea Creeper), for reasons unknown.
Rachel's mutation is stated to be a freak, random occurrence, although it is possible that other elements such as genetics, dosage, and environment were also a factor.
Ultimate Abyss
t-Abyss failed to produce the high-density frame of Abyss hosts in most humans due to cellular damage caused by the virus. But by carefully regulating infection in hosts, cellular breakdown could be avoided, the same concept used for creating Tyrants and super humans instead of Zombies. If infection could be controlled, hosts would become the Ultimate Abyss. This creature is the t-Abyss equivalent of a Tyrant, and inherits Tyrant features from the t-Virus. It's strengthened tissue, able to survive extreme depths, could resist gunfire, and intelligence would be unaffected, like with the other Neo-Tyrants Morpheus and Sergei.
The only known instance of an Ultimate Abyss was with the leader of Il Veltro, Jack Norman. In order to survive in the submerged Queen Dido for an entire year, the surviving members of Il Veltro infected themselves with small, diluted samples of t-Abyss, and fought off mutation via will (a concept explored in my t-Veronica analysis). Eventually, the members of Il Veltro degenerated, and their forms were farther removed from human than Oozes due to the prolonged infection.
These creatures, called Globsters ("grotesque blob monsters", a term used to describe unidentifiable corpses washed up on beaches), were giant pink lumps of flesh with large teeth on their undersides and almost no intelligence. They were difficult to kill due to their lumpy excess of body fat, and while their movement on land was limited, they were graceful swimmers. While most Globsters were former members of Il Veltro, it is possible regular Oozes eventually degenerate in a similar fashion.
Jack Norman, however, held off on mutation long enough to bond with t-Abyss and become an Ultimate Abyss. Besides his obvious Tyrant features and incredibly strong tissue, he also acquired several fish qualities, like a webbed claw. His face split open to reveal an eye similar to the one seen on Tricornes, which could emit a flash of light capable of creating illusions such as teleportation and multiplying himself. He had two exposed organs like those on other Tyrants: an exposed heart that could retract into his body like Hypnos, and a large orange growth on his back like the Tyrant 091.
Monster Norman was killed by Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield.
There are five known types of t-Abyss B.O.W.s, and four are named after members of the Malebranche (Italian for "evil claws"). The Malebranche are a group of twelve demons from The Divine Comedy, who guard a section of the eighth circle of the Inferno, in the Malebolge ("evil ditches"). Here they use grappling hooks to rip apart souls that try to escape the boiling pitch they are sentenced to be submerged in. In life, these souls were guilty of political fraud, like Morgan Lansdale.
Two of these four Dante-inspired B.O.W.s were created by inserting the genetic material of marine life into human embryos or ovums, like reptile DNA with the Hunter or fly with the Chimera. This is thanks to t-Abyss' increased abilities of genetic manipulation with fish.
Draghignazzo
The Draghignazzo (named after a demon in the Malebranche. Means "big nasty dragon" in Italian) was a human/tunicate (aka sea squirts) hybrid. While initially difficult to interpret it's form, it is vaguely humanoid, but with a single arm. While it's legs are small, by putting it's massive arm in front of it, it can charge forward at surprising speeds. It's front is covered in an impenetrable shell, but it's back is fleshy and vulnerable. A mouth and eye can be seen extending from the back, with what resembles hair. It inherits a spine from it's human base. A younger, faster version exists in RAID mode.
From RE.net:
"This curious monster is actually a colony of innumerable individual creatures. Similar to sea squirts, a Draghignazzo's individual zooids are able to reproduce asexually by dividing, producing clones. A calcium-based secretion forms a hard skin that can easily repel attacks."
Scarmiglione
Scarmiglione ("trouble maker") was another hybrid B.O.W. created using a human and shark genes. At the risk of seeming lazy, I'll post the game's file here, as it excellently describes it's main features:
"SCARMIGLIONE" DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT
The Scarmiglione is a B.O.W. utilizing shark DNA, considered a promising prospect from the beginning of development. Sharks have been perfected as predators of the seas for hundreds of millions of years, so there has been no change in their morphology. By incorporating that DNA, ferocity and aggressiveness as a weapon are equally promising.
While Scarmiglione's shape is deeply ingrained with the form of its shark ancestors, protrusions shaped like spears are present on its limbs.
These spiny shapes are peculiar to cartilaginous fish. Parts of its placoid scales transformed and connected to strong muscle fibers. These allow it to stab and make it capable of alert and agile movements just like land animals.
The changes in its placoid scales don't stop there. It has front armor nearing an armored car in strength, incomparable with that of a shark. It successfully gained a high rate of defense that could be said to have made it invincible against frontal attacks."
Aside from the above description, the Scarmiglione curiously can adapt in response to damage. If it's upper body is damaged, it's spine will break free and use the legs to continue to attack targets. This spine can discharge harmful electricity, like an electric eel. Eyeballs can be seen still attached to this spine.
If it's lower body is damaged instead, it will crawl with it's arms, and the jaw extends outside the head like a goblin shark.
These B.O.W.s, while less powerful individually than the adult Draghignazzo, were more efficient as weapons, and were cloned and stored in the Queen Zenobia's laboratory. Whether or not they made it to the black market is unknown.
Farfarello
Another t-Abyss B.O.W. exists called the Farfarello ("goblin"). These are mass production type Hunters which were injected with t-Abyss to enhance their abilities. Besides having fish-like physical qualities, these Hunters gained the ability to camouflage themselves like some species of fish, to such a degree they appear to be invisible.
Two almost universal effects are common to viruses related to the Progenitor Virus - an increase in both height and aggression. Since Farfarellos contain two viruses, these effects have "stacked", so to speak. As a result, they are larger and more aggressive than regular Hunters. So much so it is difficult to train and control them, harming their commercial viability.
Malacoda
The final B.O.W. named after the Malebranche is the Malacoda ("evil tail", the leader of the Malebranche). It is a skin fluke parasite that became infected with the virus by accident during t-Abyss administration to it's host. These worm-like creatures secreted t-Abyss-infected liquids that could infect and mutate the parasite's host. The infected host and parasite then develop a unique symbiote and operate and fight in unison.
The Malacoda was studied after discovery for use as a B.O.W. which could infect and augment others. While only 1cm in length as larvae, the Malacoda's growth could increase after parasitizing an animal, in direct proportion to it's host. This means the Malacoda could grow by infecting larger animals.
After some escaped from the Queen Zenobia, they found a home inside a whale. The Malacodas grew gigantic as a result, and bred in it's body uncontrollably. While some left the whale to hunt in the sea alone, others used the whale as a hive. The whale itself mutated extensively from t-Abyss. It developed sharp teeth and finger/claw-like appendages from it's tail that it used to latch onto the Queen Zenobia's deck. From it's blowhole sprayed red liquid containing the virus which, according to the artbook, becomes a red mist containing an airborne strain of t-Abyss.
The Malacodas and the whale operate in tandem, with the parasites acting as it's arms. The head of the parasites were modeled by the game developers after bed bugs.
The only t-Abyss B.O.W. not named after the Malebranche is the Fenrir, which is instead named after a giant Scandinavian cryptic. The Fenrir are Eurasian wolves injected with t-Abyss, and their abilities are similar to the Cerberus B.O.W.. Fenrir have red eyes (a common Progenitor trait) and a gaping hole in the chest, likely due to necrosis. The designer at CAPCOM was inspired by a fairy tail he heard as a child where a wolf survived it's stomach being ripped open (maybe The Wolf and the Kids or Little Red Riding Hood) to create this B.O.W.. Originally, it was to open it's stomach with a newly developed mouth on the body and drop it's digestive organs on pinned prey to digest them directly. But they had trouble animating this, so the final design just features a large hole.
Some Fenrir with dark fur have grown in size. The smaller Fenrir with grey fur, retaining pack instincts, treat the larger Fenrir as pack leaders.
Fenrir packs circle and take turns attacking prey to confuse, intimidate, and exhaust them, as they slowly torture prey to death. They can howl for help from the rest of the pack as well.
All other known t-Abyss mutants are irregular mutants, arguably.
Sea Creeper
Most female humans do not actually become Oozes, but Sea Creepers instead. It is unknown exactly why this is, but Jessica claims it is related to chromosomes (depending on how you interpret her line in her report). Sea Creepers have mutated into aquatic animals with limited/no land-based movements. They have developed six arms for swimming and grabbing prey, and it is said to be impossible to escape their grasp due to "it reminding them of their mother's embrace". Weird.
A protective growth runs along the back resembling hair which makes them swift swimmers that can cut through water. Part of the mutated skull remains, and a second mouth has developed along the front of the body. While they are stealthy swimmers, hence the name, they let out a characteristic chiming sound.
Scagdead
One in approximately one thousand humans are resistant to t-Abyss. However, they are not immune, and virus activity slowly continues in the body. Rather than adapting like the Ultimate Abyss or degenerating completely like the Globster, they are slowly transformed into the Scagdead mutant. As transformation progresses, the host is left awake and aware. The body develops a second head in the place of an Ooze tongue, which acts as a separate organism that will begin to gradually wrestle control of the body away from the host. Eventually, the host head and left arm are the only remaining sections not transformed into the Scagdead. The rest of the body transforms into fatty Ooze flesh, so thick as to turn them into bullet sponges, but the original head remains a weak point. A new left arm has developed, and the right arm has developed an organic contraption similar to a buzz saw, capable of movement as if motorized. The new head has a vertical mouth with sharp teeth suitable for grabbing prey, and it is capable of launching it's detachable jaws (which are immediately replaced) onto the ground, which act like bear traps. Due to it's large size, a Scagdead develops a large appetite for flesh, unlike the typical Ooze which is driven to consume fluids instead.
The original head, as seen with the Queen Zenobia's Communications Officer, will randomly shout out simple phrases, but the brain at this point has been so degraded that it is nothing more than spasms from a dead brain still clutching onto small memories. Eventually the original head is fully mutated as well, and loses any remaining human features.
“Scag” refers to a tear in fabric or clothing. “Scagdead” means “Torn Dead", in reference to both the creatures’ torn flesh, and it's torn mind.
Ghiozzo and Aculeozzo
Ghiozzos (Italian for goby) are small fish infected with t-Abyss. They grow in size and mutate to resemble the original fish infected with the Abyss in the Kermadec Trench. They have black scales and razor-sharp teeth, despite originally being completely harmless. Their vitality and ferociousness are so great that they actually will leap out of water to pursue prey, able to survive on land for some time. Compare this to Neptunes or t-Virus-infected piranhas, which, while able to survive without water for some time and in captivity, could not continue pursuit on land.
Aculeozzo are a variant of the Ghiozzo created from puffer or blowfish. They lack sharp fangs, but are covered in sharp points. They too can operate on land, and hurl themselves at targets. If gameplay is any indication, they aren't very menacing. Aculeo is Italian for stinger or spine. Ozzo means “dear little”.
Wall Blister
Wall Blisters are created from t-Abyss-infected barnacles. The barnacle life in the Queen Zenobia's pool area grew exponentially due to the virus, but some exhibited unique mutations and spread throughout the ship. They would grow on various surfaces into large clumps, then detach themselves in the presence of prey and become mobile. They had developed traits from both humans and red-ringed octopi, including tentacles used as arms and legs and a humanoid form and mouth. They also developed the light-emitting organ of vampire squids. Despite being relatively weak they were very fast and strong. Their long, elastic "arms" tipped with claws could easily lift an adult human and snap their spine.
It is unknown why barnacles developed traits from other animals exactly, but it's highly likely the human traits came from the T percentage of t-Abyss, while the octopus and squid traits came from the Abyss percentage. It is also unknown if Wall Blisters were escaped B.O.W.s that took up residence in the pool, or if they were irregular mutants created by a viral leak.
Background
The Abyss Virus During the fourth expedition to the Kermadec trench, the University of Montpellier discovered a new species of fish able to survive extreme depths due to mutations caused by a previously unknown virus. This virus, named the Abyss, was able to infect a vast variety of marine life, and could produce mutations in hosts reminiscent of traits seen in various kinds of fish. Because of this, it is believed that like Progenitor and the insect virus discovered by Alexia, the Abyss was involved in the development of life in the ocean. Since Progenitor can infect both insects and fish, however, and because it's potential to create new animals is unlimited, it is safe to assume Progenitor's role was more universal. But since marine mutations caused by Progenitor are minimal, perhaps it, the Insect Virus and the Abyss are actually all variants of the same virus, with each strain adapting to it's respective environments/hosts.
The Abyss converts the host's body fat and liquid into strong muscle and bone, creating a high-density frame capable of withstanding extreme pressure. It also causes host body fluids to be rapidly metabolized, and when transferred through blood there is a 99.76% probability of infection. In oral consumption of water containing the virus, the probability of infection is significantly lower (a detail which comes into play with the survivors of the Queen Dido, covered later). The Abyss' infection speed is greater than even the t-Virus. Speaking of which...
Weaponization
While the Abyss could not infect land animals, it's abilities in sea life exceeded the t-Virus, which had minimal success in marine B.O.W.s such as with Neptunes. FBC (Federal Bioterror Commission) director Morgan Lansdale and Excella Gionne (TRICELL corporation executive) collaborated in the development of a hybrid strain created from both viruses in order to create a weapon with enhanced capabilities. By splicing genes from the t-Virus into the Abyss, t-Abyss was created. Like T, t-Abyss was capable of infecting any organism, be it human, fish, etc., and at the same time retained the advantages of both viruses, resulting in a virus superior to T.
Lansdale betrayed Excella and kept the virus to himself. He orchestrated a massive outbreak that destroyed the floating city of Terragrigia by supplying t-Abyss and Hunter B.O.W.s to the organization Il Veltro ("The Greyhound", a Dante-inspired Italian student group turned radical nationalist terrorist organization). Lansdale did this in order to expand the influence of the FBC and to raise awareness of the danger posed by B.O.W.s. Lansdale afterwards betrayed Il Veltro and released the virus on their base of command: the sister cruise liner ships Queen Semiramis, Queen Zenobia, and Queen Dido. The Dido afterwards sunk to the bottom of the sea, while Lansdale used the other ships to study the spread of the virus and develop both new B.O.W.s and a vaccine for t-Abyss.
The BSAA eventually exposed Lansdale, leading to his arrest. But a sample of t-Abyss was recovered by triple-agents Raymond Vester and Jessica Sherewat, which was given to TRICELL for further bioweapons development.
Effects
t-Abyss exceeds the t-Virus in infection speed and effectiveness in both land and sea hosts. Besides creating more practical fish B.O.W.s, it can also produce aquatic animal traits in human hosts, such as camouflage, bioelectrogenesis, and the ability to create illusions. Hosts of t-Abyss commonly develop the ability to breathe in both air and water (while some hosts such as Zombies do not breathe at all, they lack the energy needed to operate efficiently), greatly increasing their adaptability in combat. t-Abyss also makes hybridizations between land and sea animals much easier, and can even be used to enhance the abilities of other B.O.W.s.
While at least as virulent as the t-Virus on land, t-Abyss' spread speed is unimaginably fast in water. If a sufficient amount of the virus were released into the ocean, the entire sea would be affected as the virus starts a chain reaction of infection starting with microorganisms. This would result in an apocalyptic scenario very quickly. Water containing the virus turns red, like blood, for some reason.
Ooze
At first, the incredible infection speed and drastic mutations caused by t-Abyss resulted in the body's cells breaking down and in the death of the host, a problem shared with Progenitor. After modifications to the virus slowed it's activity, total collapse was avoided, but cellular integrity was still compromised. Like T with Zombies, t-Abyss hosts are simultaneously weakened and strengthened, walking the line between life and death. Due to the relationship with liquid possessed by the Abyss, however, the "Zombies" created by t-Abyss, called Oozes, are significantly different.
As t-Abyss infects cells, the cell membrane begins to absorb excess water, causing it to swell due to osmotic pressure. The body's tissue begins to dissolve and fuse as a result, yet the host is kept active thanks to strengthened vitality.
Ooze bone and flesh has partially liquified, resulting in the deformation of the body. Facial features are wiped away along with sex organs, and they greatly resemble bloated, waterlogged corpses. While Oozes struggle to maintain a humanoid form because of this, due to the regenerative abilities from the t-Virus Ooze tissue can partially resolidify. This allows them to "pour" themselves through cracks and air vents to silently ambush prey and quickly navigate narrow spaces. While their bones are fragile, they can be mended in seconds. It's like fighting a puddle.
Due to the rapid overconsumption of body fluids due to the Abyss, Oozes are constantly dehydrated. This is not a problem for underwater creatures, but land-based hosts like Oozes must constantly replenish their fluids by drinking the blood and body fluids of others, rather than consuming flesh like Zombies. The tongues of Oozes have adapted to accomplish this, and in line with the fish qualities of t-Abyss, have transformed to resemble lamprey eels. They possess hundreds of sharp teeth in an opening at the end of the tongue, each capable of individual movement, and the tongue is so large that Oozes must disconnect the jaw to use it.
The liquified bones of Oozes seep out through the ends of the arms, then solidify on the outside, giving them sharp and blunt weapons. These usually result in Ooze hands becoming shapeless, bloody clubs, but two unique types exist.
Ooze Pincers have developed large, foldable claws with impressive reach, and have two intersecting, vertical rows of sharp teeth.
Ooze Tricornes have distributed the mass from the left arm to the right, causing the left to become a nub and the right to swell into a form resembling an anchor or a crossbow. This "anchor" can launch bone projectiles, like the mutant forms of Hilda and Simmons, or like Strelacs. Tricornes have a single eye on the center of the head.
Another effect of t-Abyss is the buildup of internal gases that cause the host to expand and explode. This was seen in a Globster in the second level of Revelations, but is more prominently seen in the Ooze Chunk, which act as suicide bombers. Chunks are created when an Ooze absorbs too much water, causing it to swell into a mass of useless flesh on legs.
Most female hosts actually do not become Oozes, but there is at least one exception: Rachel Foley. She retained her intelligence and fine motor control, being able to speak, retreat, and run, and was able to regenerate extensively. Her right arm split open, and her mutated tongue emerged from a second mouth on the forehead. The development of extra arms and mouths seems to be a recurring symptom in t-Abyss hosts (Rachel, Scagdead, Sea Creeper), for reasons unknown.
Rachel's mutation is stated to be a freak, random occurrence, although it is possible that other elements such as genetics, dosage, and environment were also a factor.
Ultimate Abyss
t-Abyss failed to produce the high-density frame of Abyss hosts in most humans due to cellular damage caused by the virus. But by carefully regulating infection in hosts, cellular breakdown could be avoided, the same concept used for creating Tyrants and super humans instead of Zombies. If infection could be controlled, hosts would become the Ultimate Abyss. This creature is the t-Abyss equivalent of a Tyrant, and inherits Tyrant features from the t-Virus. It's strengthened tissue, able to survive extreme depths, could resist gunfire, and intelligence would be unaffected, like with the other Neo-Tyrants Morpheus and Sergei.
The only known instance of an Ultimate Abyss was with the leader of Il Veltro, Jack Norman. In order to survive in the submerged Queen Dido for an entire year, the surviving members of Il Veltro infected themselves with small, diluted samples of t-Abyss, and fought off mutation via will (a concept explored in my t-Veronica analysis). Eventually, the members of Il Veltro degenerated, and their forms were farther removed from human than Oozes due to the prolonged infection.
These creatures, called Globsters ("grotesque blob monsters", a term used to describe unidentifiable corpses washed up on beaches), were giant pink lumps of flesh with large teeth on their undersides and almost no intelligence. They were difficult to kill due to their lumpy excess of body fat, and while their movement on land was limited, they were graceful swimmers. While most Globsters were former members of Il Veltro, it is possible regular Oozes eventually degenerate in a similar fashion.
Jack Norman, however, held off on mutation long enough to bond with t-Abyss and become an Ultimate Abyss. Besides his obvious Tyrant features and incredibly strong tissue, he also acquired several fish qualities, like a webbed claw. His face split open to reveal an eye similar to the one seen on Tricornes, which could emit a flash of light capable of creating illusions such as teleportation and multiplying himself. He had two exposed organs like those on other Tyrants: an exposed heart that could retract into his body like Hypnos, and a large orange growth on his back like the Tyrant 091.
Monster Norman was killed by Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield.
Malebranche
There are five known types of t-Abyss B.O.W.s, and four are named after members of the Malebranche (Italian for "evil claws"). The Malebranche are a group of twelve demons from The Divine Comedy, who guard a section of the eighth circle of the Inferno, in the Malebolge ("evil ditches"). Here they use grappling hooks to rip apart souls that try to escape the boiling pitch they are sentenced to be submerged in. In life, these souls were guilty of political fraud, like Morgan Lansdale.
Two of these four Dante-inspired B.O.W.s were created by inserting the genetic material of marine life into human embryos or ovums, like reptile DNA with the Hunter or fly with the Chimera. This is thanks to t-Abyss' increased abilities of genetic manipulation with fish.
Draghignazzo
The Draghignazzo (named after a demon in the Malebranche. Means "big nasty dragon" in Italian) was a human/tunicate (aka sea squirts) hybrid. While initially difficult to interpret it's form, it is vaguely humanoid, but with a single arm. While it's legs are small, by putting it's massive arm in front of it, it can charge forward at surprising speeds. It's front is covered in an impenetrable shell, but it's back is fleshy and vulnerable. A mouth and eye can be seen extending from the back, with what resembles hair. It inherits a spine from it's human base. A younger, faster version exists in RAID mode.
From RE.net:
"This curious monster is actually a colony of innumerable individual creatures. Similar to sea squirts, a Draghignazzo's individual zooids are able to reproduce asexually by dividing, producing clones. A calcium-based secretion forms a hard skin that can easily repel attacks."
Scarmiglione
Scarmiglione ("trouble maker") was another hybrid B.O.W. created using a human and shark genes. At the risk of seeming lazy, I'll post the game's file here, as it excellently describes it's main features:
"SCARMIGLIONE" DEVELOPMENT DOCUMENT
The Scarmiglione is a B.O.W. utilizing shark DNA, considered a promising prospect from the beginning of development. Sharks have been perfected as predators of the seas for hundreds of millions of years, so there has been no change in their morphology. By incorporating that DNA, ferocity and aggressiveness as a weapon are equally promising.
While Scarmiglione's shape is deeply ingrained with the form of its shark ancestors, protrusions shaped like spears are present on its limbs.
These spiny shapes are peculiar to cartilaginous fish. Parts of its placoid scales transformed and connected to strong muscle fibers. These allow it to stab and make it capable of alert and agile movements just like land animals.
The changes in its placoid scales don't stop there. It has front armor nearing an armored car in strength, incomparable with that of a shark. It successfully gained a high rate of defense that could be said to have made it invincible against frontal attacks."
Aside from the above description, the Scarmiglione curiously can adapt in response to damage. If it's upper body is damaged, it's spine will break free and use the legs to continue to attack targets. This spine can discharge harmful electricity, like an electric eel. Eyeballs can be seen still attached to this spine.
If it's lower body is damaged instead, it will crawl with it's arms, and the jaw extends outside the head like a goblin shark.
These B.O.W.s, while less powerful individually than the adult Draghignazzo, were more efficient as weapons, and were cloned and stored in the Queen Zenobia's laboratory. Whether or not they made it to the black market is unknown.
Farfarello
Another t-Abyss B.O.W. exists called the Farfarello ("goblin"). These are mass production type Hunters which were injected with t-Abyss to enhance their abilities. Besides having fish-like physical qualities, these Hunters gained the ability to camouflage themselves like some species of fish, to such a degree they appear to be invisible.
Two almost universal effects are common to viruses related to the Progenitor Virus - an increase in both height and aggression. Since Farfarellos contain two viruses, these effects have "stacked", so to speak. As a result, they are larger and more aggressive than regular Hunters. So much so it is difficult to train and control them, harming their commercial viability.
Malacoda
The final B.O.W. named after the Malebranche is the Malacoda ("evil tail", the leader of the Malebranche). It is a skin fluke parasite that became infected with the virus by accident during t-Abyss administration to it's host. These worm-like creatures secreted t-Abyss-infected liquids that could infect and mutate the parasite's host. The infected host and parasite then develop a unique symbiote and operate and fight in unison.
The Malacoda was studied after discovery for use as a B.O.W. which could infect and augment others. While only 1cm in length as larvae, the Malacoda's growth could increase after parasitizing an animal, in direct proportion to it's host. This means the Malacoda could grow by infecting larger animals.
After some escaped from the Queen Zenobia, they found a home inside a whale. The Malacodas grew gigantic as a result, and bred in it's body uncontrollably. While some left the whale to hunt in the sea alone, others used the whale as a hive. The whale itself mutated extensively from t-Abyss. It developed sharp teeth and finger/claw-like appendages from it's tail that it used to latch onto the Queen Zenobia's deck. From it's blowhole sprayed red liquid containing the virus which, according to the artbook, becomes a red mist containing an airborne strain of t-Abyss.
The Malacodas and the whale operate in tandem, with the parasites acting as it's arms. The head of the parasites were modeled by the game developers after bed bugs.
Other Monsters
FenrirThe only t-Abyss B.O.W. not named after the Malebranche is the Fenrir, which is instead named after a giant Scandinavian cryptic. The Fenrir are Eurasian wolves injected with t-Abyss, and their abilities are similar to the Cerberus B.O.W.. Fenrir have red eyes (a common Progenitor trait) and a gaping hole in the chest, likely due to necrosis. The designer at CAPCOM was inspired by a fairy tail he heard as a child where a wolf survived it's stomach being ripped open (maybe The Wolf and the Kids or Little Red Riding Hood) to create this B.O.W.. Originally, it was to open it's stomach with a newly developed mouth on the body and drop it's digestive organs on pinned prey to digest them directly. But they had trouble animating this, so the final design just features a large hole.
Some Fenrir with dark fur have grown in size. The smaller Fenrir with grey fur, retaining pack instincts, treat the larger Fenrir as pack leaders.
Fenrir packs circle and take turns attacking prey to confuse, intimidate, and exhaust them, as they slowly torture prey to death. They can howl for help from the rest of the pack as well.
All other known t-Abyss mutants are irregular mutants, arguably.
Sea Creeper
Most female humans do not actually become Oozes, but Sea Creepers instead. It is unknown exactly why this is, but Jessica claims it is related to chromosomes (depending on how you interpret her line in her report). Sea Creepers have mutated into aquatic animals with limited/no land-based movements. They have developed six arms for swimming and grabbing prey, and it is said to be impossible to escape their grasp due to "it reminding them of their mother's embrace". Weird.
A protective growth runs along the back resembling hair which makes them swift swimmers that can cut through water. Part of the mutated skull remains, and a second mouth has developed along the front of the body. While they are stealthy swimmers, hence the name, they let out a characteristic chiming sound.
Scagdead
One in approximately one thousand humans are resistant to t-Abyss. However, they are not immune, and virus activity slowly continues in the body. Rather than adapting like the Ultimate Abyss or degenerating completely like the Globster, they are slowly transformed into the Scagdead mutant. As transformation progresses, the host is left awake and aware. The body develops a second head in the place of an Ooze tongue, which acts as a separate organism that will begin to gradually wrestle control of the body away from the host. Eventually, the host head and left arm are the only remaining sections not transformed into the Scagdead. The rest of the body transforms into fatty Ooze flesh, so thick as to turn them into bullet sponges, but the original head remains a weak point. A new left arm has developed, and the right arm has developed an organic contraption similar to a buzz saw, capable of movement as if motorized. The new head has a vertical mouth with sharp teeth suitable for grabbing prey, and it is capable of launching it's detachable jaws (which are immediately replaced) onto the ground, which act like bear traps. Due to it's large size, a Scagdead develops a large appetite for flesh, unlike the typical Ooze which is driven to consume fluids instead.
The original head, as seen with the Queen Zenobia's Communications Officer, will randomly shout out simple phrases, but the brain at this point has been so degraded that it is nothing more than spasms from a dead brain still clutching onto small memories. Eventually the original head is fully mutated as well, and loses any remaining human features.
“Scag” refers to a tear in fabric or clothing. “Scagdead” means “Torn Dead", in reference to both the creatures’ torn flesh, and it's torn mind.
Ghiozzo and Aculeozzo
Ghiozzos (Italian for goby) are small fish infected with t-Abyss. They grow in size and mutate to resemble the original fish infected with the Abyss in the Kermadec Trench. They have black scales and razor-sharp teeth, despite originally being completely harmless. Their vitality and ferociousness are so great that they actually will leap out of water to pursue prey, able to survive on land for some time. Compare this to Neptunes or t-Virus-infected piranhas, which, while able to survive without water for some time and in captivity, could not continue pursuit on land.
Aculeozzo are a variant of the Ghiozzo created from puffer or blowfish. They lack sharp fangs, but are covered in sharp points. They too can operate on land, and hurl themselves at targets. If gameplay is any indication, they aren't very menacing. Aculeo is Italian for stinger or spine. Ozzo means “dear little”.
Wall Blister
Wall Blisters are created from t-Abyss-infected barnacles. The barnacle life in the Queen Zenobia's pool area grew exponentially due to the virus, but some exhibited unique mutations and spread throughout the ship. They would grow on various surfaces into large clumps, then detach themselves in the presence of prey and become mobile. They had developed traits from both humans and red-ringed octopi, including tentacles used as arms and legs and a humanoid form and mouth. They also developed the light-emitting organ of vampire squids. Despite being relatively weak they were very fast and strong. Their long, elastic "arms" tipped with claws could easily lift an adult human and snap their spine.
It is unknown why barnacles developed traits from other animals exactly, but it's highly likely the human traits came from the T percentage of t-Abyss, while the octopus and squid traits came from the Abyss percentage. It is also unknown if Wall Blisters were escaped B.O.W.s that took up residence in the pool, or if they were irregular mutants created by a viral leak.
Last edited:
