What Happened to Harran? Unraveling the Fate of the Infamous City
Harran’s story is one of ancient history, catastrophic outbreak, and uncertain futures. The city, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, has experienced a tumultuous journey. While it has ancient roots and was a place of strategic importance for millennia, its more recent history is dominated by the events surrounding the Harran Virus. Initially, Harran was conquered by the Mongol Empire in 1260, only to be largely destroyed and abandoned by 1271. It served as a military outpost under later regimes, but over the last five centuries, it became predominantly used as a temporary settlement by local nomadic societies. However, the city’s fate was forever altered in 2013 with the emergence of a deadly virus.
The Harran Virus outbreak turned the city into a quarantine zone and the epicenter of a zombie-like epidemic. The fictional city became synonymous with a brutal fight for survival as the virus transformed its inhabitants into violent, flesh-eating infected. This event was the core of the video game Dying Light, which explored the horrifying consequences of the outbreak through the eyes of protagonist Kyle Crane.
The immediate aftermath of the Harran outbreak saw the city descend into chaos. Infected roamed freely, attacking the uninfected and spreading the virus through bites. The once-vibrant city became a dangerous landscape, filled with decaying infrastructure and the lurking threat of the infected. Resources became scarce, forcing survivors to scavenge for food, weapons, and medication, further escalating the grim situation. The Global Relief Effort (GRE) attempted to mitigate the situation, regularly deploying airdrops of Antizin, an antiviral drug that acted as a temporary cure, but this was not enough to stop the spread.
The crisis in Harran was further complicated by the existence of several key factors. There were human factions, some seeking to exploit the chaos for their gain, and other who were trying to maintain order. This led to brutal conflict in addition to the dangers posed by the infected. The city was not isolated as, despite attempts to quarantine it, the virus managed to escape. The eventual failure of the quarantine is a critical piece of Harran’s story.
As shown in Dying Light, there were two possibilities for Harran’s fate. The first outcome was that, despite the intense fight for survival, Kyle Crane was not able to halt the spread of the Harran Virus. The second alternative was a nuclear detonation at the end of the game. In this scenario, the hope was to destroy the infected and halt the virus from spreading, even at a great cost. While the choice was left to the players, it’s highly implied that the canon ending was the former; that the virus managed to escape Harran’s borders.
Ultimately, while Harran was a place of chaos and suffering, it was also a testing ground for humanity. It is now considered ground zero of an outbreak that would eventually spread around the globe. Though the city and its people suffered greatly, the battle there would shape the future of the world. Harran, despite no longer being the epicenter, remains a reminder of the devastating consequences of the virus and the courage shown in the face of unimaginable odds.
Frequently Asked Questions about Harran
Is Harran a Real City?
No, while Harran is based on a real ancient city in Turkey, the Harran depicted in Dying Light is a fictional city. This is very important as in the lore of the game it is not in fact the real Harran, but a fictional city within the southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey.
How Did the Harran Virus Start?
The Harran Virus is said to have originated in Harran in 2013. The presumed patient zero was a certain Mr. Baris Buruk, a worker in the Old Town district who had a sudden, uncontrollable outburst of rage, attacking several people.
How Did the Harran Virus Spread?
The primary mode of transmission for the Harran Virus is through bites from an infected person. This leads to rapid spread as the virus turns victims into infected within a short period.
Did Kyle Crane Spread the Harran Virus?
Yes, according to Dying Light lore, Kyle Crane did become infected and, after leaving Harran, spread the virus to the rest of the world. Despite Crane’s good intentions, he inadvertently caused a global pandemic.
Was There a Cure for the Harran Virus?
Yes, there was a temporary cure called Antizin. The Global Relief Effort (GRE) airdropped Antizin into Harran to help the surviving population, but this was a temporary solution, not a permanent cure. Also, after the events of the first game, a real cure was eventually found, but the GRE began weaponizing it.
Did Harran Get Destroyed by a Nuclear Bomb?
In one of the Dying Light endings, Kyle Crane can trigger a nuclear detonation, which was intended to destroy the surrounding countryside, including Harran, and all infected life. However, this ending is not considered canon.
Where is Harran Located?
The fictional Harran is described as being located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Urfa. While this places the game’s location around the real city, the actual events of the game do not occur in the real world, but in a fictional locale.
Is Harran the Only Infected Area?
Initially, the outbreak was limited to Harran and the immediate surrounding areas. However, the Harran Virus eventually spread worldwide, becoming a global pandemic by the time of Dying Light 2.
What Are the Different Endings of Dying Light?
Dying Light has multiple endings. One involves Kyle Crane detonating a nuke, while the other involves Crane transforming into a Volatile after taking the serum. It is strongly implied that the Volatile ending is canon.
Did Kyle Crane Turn into a Volatile?
Yes, in the canon ending of Dying Light, after seemingly curing himself, Kyle Crane fully transforms into a Volatile, a powerful and extremely dangerous infected.
Is Kyle Crane Dead in Dying Light 2?
While he doesn’t appear in Dying Light 2, Kyle Crane is either dead in the Nuclear ending or, in the canon ending, he is transformed into a Volatile. In either scenario, his fate is grim and explains his absence in the sequel.
What Happens to Crane After the Events of Dying Light?
If Crane detonates the nuke, he is killed, along with every living thing in Harran. If he takes the serum, he turns into a Volatile, and the screen fades to black as infected screams are heard. Neither is a positive ending for Crane.
Is Dying Light 2 Set in Harran?
No, Dying Light 2: Stay Human is not set in Harran. The game takes place in a fictional European city sometime after the global spread of the Harran Virus.
What is the Importance of Harran?
Harran is significant as the origin point of the Harran Virus, the site of the initial outbreak. The chaos and survival struggles there are what ultimately shapes the world’s future in the Dying Light universe.
Was Harran Inhabited After The Outbreak?
While the city was heavily quarantined after the outbreak, the events in the game and the lore show that survivors lived in the city, fighting to survive against both the infected and warring factions.