*Mortal flesh made sweet* ## Overview Candyfolk are a unique and controversial ethnicity on the Continent of [[Frutuscore]], defined not by biology, but by affliction. Their distinguishing trait is the presence of the [[Candy Virus]], a strange condition that alters the body into a candy-like form. The Candyfolk primarily reside within the [[Roripop Kingdom]], where they were born and propagated. Since their emergence around 170BM, they have rapidly become the largest ethnic population in the kingdom, eventually forming the foundation of its class structure, military, and culture. ## Origins The [[Candy Virus]] has no known origin. It did not evolve naturally, nor does it trace back to any divine source. First appearing just after [[Gourmet Poppu]] rose to power, the virus spread quickly through the growing kingdom. Some believe it was a blessing brought to them by [[WORLD 6410 (Kuizine)/30 Notable Figures/32 Deceased/Gourmet Poppu|Gourmet]] herself, signaling the beginning of a prosperous future. Early infections were often fatal, but those who survived found themselves changed: stronger, sweeter, more resilient. The [[Roripop Kingdom|Roripop]] government soon began regulating the virus, turning it into a tool of national identity. At the height of the kingdom's expansion, infection became a requirement for citizenship. ## Physiology Candyfolk vary wildly in appearance depending on the food they're based on. Some resemble humanoid taffy or licorice, others gleam like lollipops or shimmer like crystallized sugar. There is a mutative ceiling, however. Exposure to corrupted strains of the virus or long-term instability can lead to [[Candyfolk#Candy Mutation|Candy Mutation]]—a horrifying transformation where the body begins to crystallize, collapse, or melt, as if they were made from real candy. In these states, Candyfolk lose selfhood and form. Some dissolve into sticky piles of unlife; others harden into sugar statues that still breathe. ## Culture Life as a Candyfolk is complex. Across [[Frutuscore]], they are often idealized as paragons of national strength and aesthetic appeal. They dominate the Royal Guard, occupy most of the capital, and are the face of foreign diplomacy. Some Candyfolk embrace their transformation, while others feel like prisoners in sugar-coated bodies. Support groups, underground clinics, and dissident scholars exist seeking a cure. Once the virus has infected your bloodline, there is no going back. ## Candy Mutation While the standard strain of the [[Candy Virus]] is relatively stable when monitored, mutation remains a lingering threat. This mutation was discovered in the year 478AM, however evidence suggests it existed before then. Mutated Candyfolk are often silently removed by [[Roripop Kingdom|Roripop]] officials and never seen again. Those who evade the Guard face a harsher fate—shamed from the regal society of the Kingdom, they are forced into exile. Many seek refuge in the alleyways of the [[Roripop Kingdom#The Residential District|Residential District]], hiding behind masks and thick cloaks. Though many fear them, there are those who see the Mutants not as tragedies, but harbingers of the [[Candy Virus|Candy Virus's]] true purpose.