The Candy Virus

The Candy Virus is an unnatural virus with an unknown origin. There are many rumors that suggest Princess Blowpop either controls the virus or has the cure but won't share it, though there is little to no evidence of these claims.

This idea was popularized though due to the virus only being able to survive within The Roripop Kingdom and the fact that in order to become an official citizen of the kingdom, one must succumb to the virus via injection. This ruling came into effect near the start of Blowpop's reign in order to easily identify the kingdom's residents. Many think it's also part of a large scale experiment she's working on in order to study the virus's behavior. Due to the recent Candy Mutant outbreak however, this ruling has since been canceled for safety reasons.

The virus appears to change the genetic makeup of which it infects, turning it into candy. Though, it seems it does this in two different ways, depending on whom or what it infects. The first of which, and the most noticeable, is environmental changes. In this instance, the virus can be classified as more of a fungus than a disease, for it can affect living and non living things. When the virus spreads over a territory, it changes its appearance to resemble candy. Brighter colors, sweeter scent, etc. It should be noted however that it does not turn into candy. One cannot eat a tree that has been affected by the Candy Virus; it is still a tree.

When the virus takes hold of a living being however, things get more complicated. Instead of just changing the appearance of the being, it also seems to change the genetic structure as well, such as blood type. The cause of why or it does this is unknown. While this does simply change the appearance of the being, there have been a few instances where the virus has mutated and begun to change the actual genetic makeup of beings into real candy; see Candy Mutant. Obviously, this has negative effects on the being itself, harming it in various ways. There is not enough recorded data to make any solid conclusions on what sets the mutation off or any similarities between victims.

It should also be noted that the candy virus seems unable to spread beyond the boundaries of the The Roripop Kingdom, and yet there are a few species outside the kingdom which seem to be candy-like but don't spread the virus. It is unclear why this is; maybe a bug in the world or just an oversight on the creator's part.

Chupa Poppu started researching the virus during her time as Princess and passed down her knowledge to Princess Blowpop, who is constantly researching the virus and trying to understand its behavior and origins. It seems the virus is only becoming more contagious over time, for it had only affected half the kingdom's popularion during Chupa and Charm's rule, but now affects 99% of the residents.

Part of Blowpop's research was The Candy Virus Border Project, but that was discontinued around 74AM for being deemed "too dangerous." Not much progress has been made in understanding the virus other than how it affects the cells and the body. It seems to change a small amount of salt in the body into sugar, making tears, blood, saliva, and other bodily fluids slightly sweeter. And the change in appearance seems to be a genetic restructure that is far to difficult to research or explain at the moment.

Historical Details

History

While the exact origins of the virus are unknown, it's earliest recorded history dates back to around 110AM, about twenty years after the Roripop Kingdom was founded. Whether it existed before this point is unknown.

Ever since its initial outbreak within the kingdom is has remained inside its borders. It's as if a part of the continent itself has been infected, tainted with oversaturated colors, overwhelming smells, and the constant threat of neighboring nations succumbing as well.

Public Reaction

Depending on the nation, as well as the individual, one's opinion on the virus greatly varies. Some see it as a social status, believing they're higher in social status because of it. The opposite view is true as well as other nation's citizens see Candyfolk as a blemish on the Continent and associate them with the notorious Princess Blowpop.

And with the recent mutation being recognized and word of it starting to spread, a lot of heat and blame have been thrust upon Blowpop as she attempts to quickly nip the problem in the bud and find a solution.