If only they could have been the gentle kind that frolicked, maybe even the kind that flew through the sky leading a sleigh, but these ones are not gentle in any way.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a gift full of plagues. On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two twisted toys. On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three corrupting emotions. On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me deadly shocks. On the 5th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me five monstrous beasts. On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six carnivorous snowmen. On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 7 zomasaurs. On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight copies of them. On the 9th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 9 silken songs. On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 10 snowy fungus. On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me 11 rotting deer.

Today, we have the rotting deer infection. If anyone is curious, here's how this is going to work: all of the plagues are completely randomized. I have a spinner that has 100 options. Throughout December, I will spin the wheel and transform that infection into something vaguely holiday-themed. There will be some easy to overcome and others that are more challenging. Still, we'll see how this all goes I hope you'll join me for every one of them.

(the infection)

1. Initial infection is caused by being bitten or coming into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual, as well as exposure to an infected deer. It is uncertain whether other wild animals could be carriers of this infection, but it is known that deer can be carriers and exhibit very few signs of infection. Infected deer can show a few signs that they are carriers; however, this is not guaranteed. It has been discovered that some deer exhibit no visible signs aside from behavioral changes, which can be difficult to detect without getting close. The recommended course of action is to avoid all deer, as well as infected individuals, in later stages. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, aches and pains, a scratchy throat, and anxiety.

2. Stage 2 begins 3 to 8 weeks after initial infection. Infected individuals begin feeling aches and pains throughout the body, primarily in the joints. Their bodies begin to shift and change, becoming more bulky and overall larger. Those infected become much more skittish and anxious, listening intensely to even the slightest noise, ready to bolt. Symptoms at the stage include fatigue, aches and pains, fever, dizziness, along with nausea and vomiting, especially after eating foods that contain meat.

3. Stage 3 begins roughly 8 to 15 weeks after stage 2. This is marked by the body no longer getting larger but instead changing to begin growing fur and antlers. This stage marks a splitting point. About half of those that reach this stage will never leave it; their bodies continue to produce antlers until there is no longer enough of them to grow anymore, or they will progress to stage four. Fur begins spreading across the body and antlers starting from the head, but branches here all across the body begin tearing through the skin and branching out, twisting and mingling the body.

4. 40% of infected individuals during their transformation process will reach this stage. The others will be trapped within stage 3 or have rotted away at this point. Infected individuals will begin changing even more, their hands and feet melding together, transforming into hoofs, deer tails growing along the spine, face elongating, and ears becoming longer. Those who go through this variant of the infection experience a drastic shift becoming completely incapable of consuming anything aside from plants. They also begin wholeheartedly believing they are a dear many refusing or outright losing the ability to speak

Intro one blank, Intro 2 strange rumors, Intro 3 you're involved.