Symbiotic Fungal Protozoa Mycovirus-Mutated Infection
Vector: Blood Agent
Resistance Roll: Virulence + Contagion, Bite HT-9
Delay: 1d6x5 seconds (local excision or amputation can prevent infection)
Damage: 1d-2 toxic
Cycles: 100, hourly
Symptoms: at 1/3 loss HP: -2 to ST, DX, IQ, HT and Gain: Bad Temper 6-, Chronic Depression 6-, Compulsive Behavior (seek out quiet dark places) 6-, Sleepy (2/3 time, per day), Slow Riser, Terminally Ill (one month or less); at 2/3 loss HP; -4 to ST, DX, IQ and HT: at -HP acquire "The Infected" template.
The process started in
Zombie Fungus infected (female) mosquitoes carrying Malaria. A mycovirus infected the fungus, causing rapid mutation. The fungus lost the ability to sprout a spore stalk and instead replicated spores internally in the host. The neural programming was changed. Instead of finding a place to "clamp and sprout", the insect was made more aggressive. When it bit another insect, it would infect that insect with the fungus.
Eventually, the mycovirus jumped species and infected the Malaria protozoa. The protozoa became stronger and absorbed fungal spores.
Once the mosquitoes bit a human host, the protozoa would not only reproduce quickly but also release spores. The host then is infected with a combination of resistant Malaria and the Zombie Fungus. The mutations continued to rapidly form the symbiosis and reprogramming of the human host to the current infection.