Necrocheese
Thaumicium magi is colloquially referred to as or Zombie Mold and most recently named Necrocheese by A'grania of Armidale. Thaumicium magi is a magical parasite that kills its victims and animates their bodies as shambling corpses.
- The Mold is definitely a true magical life form, with innate abilities to suck out magical energy and use it for growth and reproduction.
- Fibrous mold tissue contains strands of cells analogous to complex animal brain matter. More of these specialised cells are produced as the infection progresses.
Basic life cycle:
Parasitic phase
Stage 0: A living being is infected and the infection lies formant for up to 24h. Some hosts with magical potential may skip stage 0.
Stage 1: The parasite slowly takes over the host, causing superficial discolouration (grey palour). Subject suffers from liver dysfunction and immunodeficiency, which may mask the infection with other symptoms. Subject is NOT infectious. After a period of a month or more the host progresses to a stage 2 infection.
Stage 2: The host has trouble breathing and complains about constant skin irritation. Numbness of limbs may be present as the pathogen attacks nerve fibres in a way superficially similar to leprosy. Limbs with no feeling may seem to move of their own accord - 'alien hand' syndrome. May last 2-3 months. Bodily fluids are infectious.
Theoretical, not observed yet:
Stage 3: the host is suffers massive organ failure on multiple fronts. Host experiences wild and terrifying hallucinations as the brain is consumed by the parasite. Highly infectious airborne pathogen.
Necrotic phase
Stage 0: A corpse is infected - only happens to corpses imbued with magical power of some sort (e.g. a corpse dying near to a locus or hallow). The infection multiplies inside the cadaver. Organs and skill appear grey. After 3-5 days, proceed to stage 1.
Stage 1: Corpse is able to move and possessed with rudimentary animal intelligence. It moves towards a cool, dark environment with no UV radiation. Any perceived attempt to stop the cadaver will cause an individual to be attacked. Any ambient light seems to prohibit progression to stage 2 indefinitely.
Stage 2: Semi-intelligent controlling nodes appear on the neck and base of the spine of the cadaver and emit a green flow identical to that of fireflies and other bioluminescent life forms. Targeting these nodes will disable the cadaver but release deadly spores of the infection.
Stage 3: 'Exoskeleton' of fungal fibres provide protection to the remaining necrotic tissue while protecting exposed nerve nodes from direct attack. Stage 3 cadavers have been shown to stay behind a wall of stage 1/2 cadavers while using direct magical attacks against trespassers.
Further stages?
Stage X: A mass of fungal fibres forms into a 'heart-like' structure with creeping tendrils of fungal matter. Found at a locus and burned before further study could be done. Advanced/psychic brain function likely.