All mochibun naturally circulate magical energy. For low star ranks, the magic cycles automatically and strengthens their bodies. For high star ranks, the magic flows through and radiates out of their bodies. Corruption happens when a mochibun's magical system is altered due to a massive intake of dark energy and their affinity is changed from light to dark. This can occur in many different ways-- being cursed, getting possessed, using heavy dark magic, staying in places with dense dark magic, or otherwise becoming exposed to dark energy. The event must be a significant intake of dark energy. Otherwise a mochibun's body will automatically purge any small amounts of dark energy that gets absorbed. 

As a result of corruption, the mochibun's appearance, biology, and sometimes mind are affected. Corrupted mochibuns either become dramatically more or less powerful than others of their star rank. In some cases, the dark energy boosts the mochibun's natural powers and strengthens them. But in others, the dark energy makes them sick as their body naturally fights back. In many corruption cases involving possession or cursed artifacts, mental side effects are also experienced. All the side effects of corruption vary by circumstance.

There are two classifications of corruption. Partial and full. Those who have partial corruption experience weaker side effects from corruption than those who are fully corrupt. But those who are fully corrupt are much more capable of controlling their corrupt state.

Partial corruption happens when the mochibun is exposed to something a bit weaker. Maybe they were in a laboratory when an experiment suddenly went wrong, or working with many low grade cursed artifacts. If a partially corrupted doesn't want to be corrupted, then they're able to purge themselves by staying away from cursed energy and purifying their magic system. But if they don't actively push for purifying their systems, they will remain corrupted. Reverting back to an uncorrupted state is extremely difficult, painful, and takes years. They need their system fully cleansed, within a short time frame. If done too lightly, the cursed energy will come back full force.

Full corruption is more serious. In most cases, the mochibun intentionally became corrupted. Usually by exposing themself to heavy dark energy long-term, like living in a cursed area, owning cursed objects, or worshiping the Dark Emperor. Unlike partial corruption, full corruption is permanent. The taint in their magic system has gotten to a point where trying to purify the dark energy would kill them. While fully corrupted are still able to interact with light energy to a certain degree, doing so is uncomfortable and even painful for them.

Magic circulating in a mochibun's body is what creates their ear patterns and mochi. When corrupted, these traits change due to the change in magical energy. The inner ear color and mochi lose saturation. The inner ear color turns darker the stronger the corrupted bun is, so partially corrupted may have gray inner ears. But fully corrupted always have pitch black inner ears. Pupil shape is not affected, but occasionally scleras turn black and cracks can form on the skin, especially around the eyes. 

Mochi rot and become black turning into extremely powerful poisons. Those who eat a single bite will die an extremely painful death. Mochi from corrupted buns cannot be used to create children using the mochi "egg" method. Corrupted can still have children through biological means, but corrupted who want to have children are extremely rare in the first place.

For the fully corrupted, eyes replace patterns on both inner ears and mochi. These eyes are capable of moving around, but the mochibun cannot see out of them. The ear pattern of partially corrupted buns does not change, and they still can have patterns on their mochi. Nobody's sure why a strong dark alignment results in the manifestation of the eyes, but it's assumed by many to have something to do with the Dark Emperor.

See the designing sections for specific design information!

Besides physical effects, sometimes mental effects are experienced as well. They may start getting strange visions, impulses, or otherwise be influenced. Mental side effects are variant depending on how the mochibun was corrupted and how much they're affected. Not all mochibuns experience these intangible side effects, but it's common for fully corrupted buns to be affected in some way.

It is extremely difficult for the corrupted to hide their status as corrupted from uncorrupted buns. Mochibun as a species are naturally light beings-- when one of their own is the opposite affinity, it's hard not to notice. Uncorrupted mochibuns experience physical discomfort in the presence of corrupted buns, the greater the corruption the greater the discomfort.

Energy from fully corrupted mochibuns can make non-corrupted mochibuns sick. While it's impossible for a mochibun to become corrupted by being in close proximity to a corrupted bun, they can become experience extreme nausea, fatigue, or other fever like symptoms. This especially happens for higher star rank mochibuns who have more delicate magic systems. 

Magical items can be used to mask the dark alignment and make corrupted appear as non-corrupted. But when a corrupted bun uses their magical abilities in front of an uncorrupted mochibun, the uncorrupted mochibun is always able to sense the dark affinity. It's impossible for corrupted bun to "turn it off" or suppress it. 

Corrupted mochibuns have a lot of social stigma. While they are able to live in mochibun society, it's difficult for them due to how they affect non-corrupted buns. Corrupted buns are even banned from certain auspicious areas in fear their dark alignment will corrupt the energy there. Some refuse to interact with the corrupted while others pity them. Everyone has a different opinion. Statistically though, there is less of a chance for a corrupted mochibun to advance socially or politically. Partially corrupted are treated better than fully corrupted because the physical nausea they give others isn't as great.

Due to less opportunities being available for them on the moon, many corrupted buns live on Earth or on other planets instead. The fully corrupted especially love Earth. However, there is better corrupted bun networking and support on the moon versus Earth. 

• The inner ear turns black and the Flavor Pattern is replaced by eyes.
  • Eyes can be any amount/size as long as some of the inner ear is visible.
    • Eyes can move.
    • Eye patterns do not have to be symmetrical.
    • If Flavor Pupils, can use flavor or normal pupils.
    • If Unique Pupils, can use unique or normal pupils. Cannot use flavor pupils.
  • If Eye Plague, can have multiple pupils in one eye and colored sclera.
• Mochi must be black and any pattern is replaced by eyes.
  
  • Eyes can be any amount/size as long as some of the mochi is visible.
    • Eyes can move, but the mochibun can not see out of them.
    • Eye patterns do not have to be symmetrical.
    • If Flavor Pupils, can use flavor or normal pupils.
    • If Unique Pupils, can use unique or normal pupils. Cannot use flavor pupils.
  • If Eye Plague, can have multiple pupils in one eye and colored sclera.
• Mochi can "melt".
  • Mochi cannot have spilling/dripping filling without Distressed Mochi add-on, only the shape is affected.
• 1 or 5 star rank can have black and/or damaged moons.
  • Moons are an optional trait for 1 and 5 star mochibun, please see the trait guide for more information.
  • 2, 3 and 4 star rank mochibun cannot have moons at all. 
• Can have black clouds.
  • Clouds are an optional trait, see trait guide for more information.
• Uncorrupted forms can still be used, but not more than the corrupted version after approval.
  • Can switch to full corrupted instead of partially, but can only use one version at a time.
  • Must send in design for reapproval if switching between.
• Corrupted mochibun cannot be uncorrupted, so corrupt responsibly!

• The inner ear turns black or gray.
  • The shade of gray can reflect how corrupted that mochibun currently is.
  • No saturation of the black/gray is allowed.
  • The inner ear pattern is the mochibun's uncorrupted ear pattern in white.
    • If the Colored Pattern add on is applied, the pattern can be non-white (same color as uncorrupted version).
• Mochi must be black.
  • The poison/level of rot is not as severe as a fully corrupted.
  • Patterns can still be present on corrupted mochi, but the non-black/gray color cannot take over 20% of mochi.
• Mochi cannot be melted or dripping without Distressed Mochi add-on.
• Cannot have eyes on their mochi unless fully corrupted.
• Sclera can be black.
• 1 or 5 star rank can have black and/or damaged moons.
  • Moons are an optional trait for 1 and 5 star mochibun, please see the trait guide for more information.
  • 2, 3 and 4 star rank mochibun cannot have moons at all. 
• Can have black clouds.
  • Clouds are an optional trait, see trait guide for more information.
• Uncorrupted forms can still be used, but not more than the corrupted version after approval.
  • Since partially corrupted mochibun can fully disguise themselves it is fine to use the uncorrupted version. But since they ARE partially corrupted, the partially corrupted version should be used more than the uncorrupted version!
  • Must send in design for reapproval if switching between for the "main" version.
• Corrupted mochibun cannot be uncorrupted, so corrupt responsibly!

Chang’E holds a special place for mochibun-- the equivalent of their patron saint and god. Even though she has long since disappeared, there are many who still pray to her. Most families have shrines in their houses dedicated to her, figurines, and other things meant to invoke her image. Any mochibun who grew up on the moon is certainly familiar with her face.

But some are more skeptical about her existence or believe that if she was real, she abandoned them. Others think she doesn’t have a place any longer as their “goddess” and that she doesn’t deserve all the praise and gratitude society gives her. Those with these types of thoughts might turn to the Dark Emperor.

The Dark Emperor is a mystery. His exact powers are unknown, though it is said he is capable of destroying the universe and bringing about the end of the world. It is thought that the formation of additional eyes is related to him-- that what those eyes see the Dark Emperor sees as well. He's especially worshiped by corrupted mochibuns or mochibuns who are interested in dark magic.

Not much is known about the Dark Emperor. No one has ever seen his face or physical form. There are countless descriptions of what is thought to look like, but none have been confirmed. But it is known that he exists-- some corrupted mochibun have claimed to have even talked to him. If they were simply delusional or really did talk to him is unknown, but most believe their stories. Why the Dark Emperor is "helping" the mochibuns is unknown. His motives are extremely vague and unclear, but most believe he is a being of destruction.

The corrupted who worship the Dark Emperor seem to experience a greater level of control and diminished negative side effects from corruption. They pray to him and leave offerings like food and money. While it's unconfirmed that he actually does anything, there is enough "proof" that many believe he does. He is the unofficial patron god of corrupted mochibuns-- unofficial since there has never been a "prophet" or "saint" of his.

While some do believe in the Dark Emperor innocently enough, there are those who take his worship a bit...further. They commit terrible acts in his name and are parts of cults. Since the Dark Emperor is associated with destruction, death and darkness, he's unpopular with mainstream mochibuns, especially due to the cults. Organizations and groups more zealot in their worship to the Dark Emperor were long ago driven off of the moon and live scattered across the universe.