setting overview

TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENCE, BLOOD/GORE, BODY HORROR, AMBIGUOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, APOCALYPSE SCENARIOS, RELIGIOUS THEMES (IMPLIED).

In the not-so-distant future, the universe edges closer to its heat death. This period sees accelerated aging, widespread genetic mutations, and a series of environmental and societal collapses due to rising entropy.In this chaos, the Vlorimus step forward, offering a new home to those they consider *Righteous or Virtuous on the meticulously engineered exoplanet, Astrionyx IX. Yet, this promise of rescue splits humanity even more. It leads to the emergence of the Church of Entropy, which worships the coming heat death of the universe as the final divine state, and the Scavengers, survivors who struggle to adapt to their constantly changing world. As society's fabric tears apart, these different groups face the challenges of a universe falling into disorder, each chasing their vision of hope in a future where life itself is reshaped by entropy.

characters

Entropy

Entropy is a scientific concept that is most commonly associated with a state of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty. It's like the invisible force behind why a tidy room becomes messy without effort to maintain it, or why machines break down if not maintained.

Entropy's effects on the human body

The impact of entropy on the human body manifests in many ways, altering physical health and well-being.Accelerated aging is one of the most visible effects, where the body shows signs of aging much faster than usual. This is due to the quicker breakdown of cellular structures and a decrease in the body's ability to repair itself. Individuals may look decades older within just a few months, experiencing sagging skin, brittle bones, and teeth loss at a rapid pace.There is also a noticeable increase in genetic mutations, leading to a range of visible anomalies and a higher risk of genetic disorders and cancers. This happens because the process that copies and repairs DNA becomes less reliable, allowing errors to accumulate.Due to the brain being particularly vulnerable to entropy, there is also a rise in neurodegenerative diseases, alongside a general decline in cognitive abilities and memory. This can lead to severe consequences, such as hallucinations, forgetting close ones, or becoming trapped in a body that no longer responds as it once did.The immune system may fail to work optimally in some individuals, swinging between being underactive, which leaves them prone to infections, and overactive, which can cause the body to attack itself. This imbalance can make once-manageable diseases become life-threatening.Metabolic processes become inefficient, leading to issues like obesity and diabetes, and even in places with enough food, poor nutrient absorption can cause malnutrition and related health problems.Reproductive systems are affected as well, with decreased fertility, a rise in miscarriages, and an increase in congenital anomalies due to the higher rates of mutations and cellular dysfunction. These reproductive challenges could lead to significant changes in population dynamics and pose additional challenges to society.Finally, the psychological impact of living in a world where entropy visibly affects the human body can be profound, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and a sense of existential dread.

societal and cultural impact

As individuals and communities struggle to deal with the direct physical effects of increased entropy on the human body, significant societal and cultural shifts are occurring around them. Healthcare systems become overwhelmed, leading to changes in how societies prioritize resources. Cultural attitudes towards aging, health, and medical technology are undergoing dramatic changes as humanity tries to adapt to this ever-changing reality.

effects on nature

Increased entropy in nature fundamentally transforms ecosystems, weather patterns, and the planet's health in several ways. As the disorder within natural systems rises, ecosystems become destabilized, leading to a mass extinction event. Plants and animals struggle to adapt to the rapid changes, resulting in disrupted food chains and the extinction of species that are unable to cope with the new environmental conditions.This imbalance accelerates the effects of climate change, experienced in more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns. Such changes include intensified storms, prolonged droughts, and erratic seasonal cycles, all of which have a cascading effect on the planet. Additionally, ocean currents and temperatures are disrupted, affecting marine life and leading to phenomena like coral bleaching and the collapse of fisheries, further depleting marine biodiversity.On land, soil health deteriorates, decreasing its fertility and leading to the desertification of once-arable regions. This directly impacts food production and the survival of terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, the natural processes of pollination and plant reproduction are thrown off balance, diminishing plant diversity and affecting crop yields and wild plant populations.The increase in entropy also leads to more frequent and severe natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and earthquakes, placing additional stress on already vulnerable ecosystems. Polar ice caps and glaciers melt faster, causing sea levels to rise and threatening coastal ecosystems and human settlements. Atmospheric changes degrade air quality, impacting the health of living organisms and altering climate patterns further.Moreover, as ecosystems are disrupted and species are forced to migrate, the spread of diseases rises, posing new threats to wildlife and human populations. The loss of species and reduced reproductive success also decrease genetic diversity, making ecosystems less resilient to future changes and stresses.These alterations in nature due to increased entropy not only challenge the survival of countless species but also have far-reaching implications for human societies, economies, and the overall health of our planet.

the Vlorimus

factions

Humanity has largely split into various factions, each with distinct beliefs and ways of life. Among them, two notable factions stand out: The Church of Entropy worships Entropy as the true God, preaching that the heat death of the universe is a divine state of equilibrium. This belief challenges the notion of moral division promoted by the Vlorimus. Meanwhile, the Scavengers, a community living in the tunnels of the London Underground, focus solely on survival. They remain independent from the broader ideological conflicts, prioritizing the pragmatic aspects of living over philosophical or theological debates.

church of entropy

The Church of Entropy emerged from a deep frustration with the Vlorimus's ideology, which separated people into categories of 'righteous' or 'virtuous' versus 'wicked.' Rejecting this division, followers of the Church of Entropy sought a deity that embodied a more universal, inclusive understanding. They found it in the concept of Entropy—viewing it as an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving force. To them, Entropy isn't just a physical phenomenon; it's divine, representing the ultimate truth and endpoint of the universe.Members of the Church believe in a unique version of heaven. For them, paradise is not a place of bustling activity or golden streets but a state of perfect balance and stillness, which they see embodied in the heat death of the universe. According to their faith, when the universe reaches its final state of thermodynamic equilibrium, where no energy differences exist and therefore no movement or life as we know it can occur, it will have achieved the ultimate peace and unity.In their eyes, the Vlorimus' focus on moral division is fundamentally flawed. The Church of Entropy sees true divinity in the natural progression towards disorder and equilibrium, not in the judgment of actions and characters. By worshipping Entropy, they embrace a future where all of creation comes to a serene halt, achieving ultimate harmony and equality.

scavengers

The Scavengers are a community that has made their home in the abandoned tunnels of the London Underground, trying to recreate a sense of normal in an ever-changing world. Their lives are defined by the fight for survival, unconcerned with the ideological battles that rage above. Instead, they focus on the tangible realities of existence—food, shelter, and safety.Bound together by necessity rather than belief or blood, the Scavengers are a diverse group united in their isolation. In a world where societal structures have crumbled, they maintain a fierce independence, answering only to themselves and the immediate needs of their community.

ethan williams

Nicknames: The Butcher, the Butcher of DeptfordAffiliation: None