Basic Info

Following Ashley's "prank" on Mike Jenkins, "she" sent the program to everybody on her address list, with instructions to pass it on. As a result, the program spread unnaturally fast, and when people got curious enough to try the program...

The Spell

The spell spliced into Ashley's program was more than it seemed. Enclosed in the program was not a spell specifically targeted at changing genders, but rather a spell targeted at general transformation. What this means is that if somebody should change the program, different results than a genderflip can occur.

The gender changes can fit a template specified in the spell to create a specific form, or it can create a template from a scan of a user, determining their ideal partner. If not modified, a person will transform into a form akin to what they would have looked like if they were "born the other gender".

Changes can be simpler in nature as well, ranging from changes in height or figure/measurements, etc. Once the program starts being modified, transformations that retain a person's original gender will be much more common.

Hybrids

The most prevalent of alternate changes are human/animal hybrids. Note that I am using "animal" as a term to represent any non-human creature. Once medical institutions targeted at hybrids are established, a blood test can determine what percent of a hybrid is human and what percentage is animal.

Up to 50% Hybridization will allow somebody to retain a largely human shape. At this stage, one is likely to have animalistic ears, teeth, claws, a tail, and possibly fur(if applicable). The individual will also inherit many traits and instincts of the animal they are combined with. For example, a feline hybrid will be capable of purring, seeing in the dark, and will likely savor physical contact in a way similar to being petted. A canine hybrid may be naturally loyal to parents or some other leader figure. Use your imagination here, and see if such traits can enrich a hybrid character.

Beyond 50%, a person will begin to look increasingly non-human in appearance. Hybrids of multi-legged animals will find it more difficult to stand upright, and facial features will change drastically. 100% Hybridization essentially means that the human is an animal in mind and body. One can retain a "human mind" in up to a 90% Hybridization.

If you are totally unsure what traits would signify a certain percentage range, feel free to PM me. The ranges are rather lenient, however.

Timeline

May, 2011: The program is first released into the public. At this point, only gender changes happen. The program changes from F->M as well as M->F. Chaos ensues, due to the randomness of the transformations.

May, 2011: Jamie, Ashley, and "Mike" are arrested for their involvement with the program in the midst of the first transformations.

June, 2011: It is discovered that once changed once, a transformed person cannot be changed a second time by the program. More chaos ensues.

October, 2011: The US Government sets up a support system for recently transformed individuals. First World Countries follow suit, but Third World countries lack the infrastructure necessary to establish such a system. More powerful countries are too busy dealing with the chaos to help. Remember that very poor countries likely won't have many computers, so the program has more trouble changing hands.

July, 2012: A Programmer makes the first changes to the program. It is discovered that a wide range of transformations can be performed with the program.

September, 2012: The program is modified into a virus. Once introduced to a computer, it will transform the first person who uses it without any input from the user. All transformations before this point will require the user to actually ~use~ the program!

October, 2012: The virus form of the program becomes a hot seller on the black market.

January, 2013: The program is modified to transform somebody into an animal.

April, 2013: The program is modified to transform somebody into an animal hybrid.

March, 2014: Extensive research into Hybrids leads to the institution of a MD in Hybrid Care. Hospitals begin preparing to accept Hybrid patients in a more accurate and professional manner.

2015: Nearly all of the hospitals in the US have Hybrid Care wards. Other countries reach the milestone at roughly the same time.

The Far Future: The program continues to spread, unable to be fully stopped. Stories can take place at a potentially indefinite point in the future. Be creative with the time periods! The easiest stories will be the ones that take place after 2016, since you won't be writing in between developments on the Timeline.

Misc Info/Rules

• A transformation can be the result of a trick, or it can be intentional on the part of the user. The first two years make this a dream for TG's, as they can easily blend into the chaos by claiming that they were tricked.
• The virus on the black market isn't terribly expensive, due to the high availability of the program. The most extensive transformations run at about 100 US Dollars. A simple genderflip is cheaper and a transformation into a full animal is more expensive.
• The program cannot give superpowers. A Hybrid may have enhanced strength or senses relative to their particular animal, however. A Bear Hybrid will be quite strong and a Cheetah Hybrid will be quite fast, for example.
• The virus has a single use. Once it transforms a single person, nobody else using that computer will be transformed unless a virus is reintroduced.
• The spell can specifically change a person's sexual orientation or leave it static regardless of any changes.
• All people are equally capable of being transformed by the program. People who use a computer very often are more likely to be caught by the virus once it is established.

FAQ

Q: Can characters have Superpowers?

A: No. The program can not give any Superpowers.