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</style></head> <body data-astro-cid-sckkx6r4> <main data-astro-cid-sckkx6r4> <div class="world-header"> <nav style="margin-bottom: 1rem;"> <a href="/" style="color: #666; text-decoration: none;">← Home</a> </nav> <h1>The Eternal Decay</h1> </div> <div style="display: grid; gap: 2rem; grid-template-columns: 1fr 300px; margin-top: 2rem;"> <article> <div># The Eternal Decay
## World Overview
In the mist-shrouded forests of this world, where ancient cedars tower over carpets of moss and mushrooms, two cultures exist in parallel yet perpendicular realities. This is a world where entropy reigns supreme, where decay is divine, and where time itself is a matter of perspective.
### The Entropic Orthodoxy
The dominant culture venerates entropy as the supreme force of the universe. Their pantheon is headed by Entropy itself - not as a destroyer, but as the ultimate truth of existence. They see beauty in decomposition, wisdom in weathering, and divinity in decay.
Key beliefs:
- Creation is temporary; decay is eternal
- To hasten destruction without purpose is hubris
- The greatest honor is to facilitate natural decomposition
- Mushrooms, fungi, and decomposers are sacred beings
### The Discovery
Recently, deep in the Cascade-like mountains, explorers discovered the Immutable Stone - a natural formation that shows no signs of decay, weathering, or change. This discovery has shaken the very foundations of their belief system and sparked a crisis of faith.
### The Temporal Heresy
In response to the Immutable Stone, some have begun practicing forbidden arts - attempting to manipulate entropy and time itself. These heretics seek to understand permanence, to slow decay, or even reverse it. Such practices are considered the gravest of sins.
### The Moment-Dwellers
Existing in the same geographic space but experiencing reality completely differently, the Moment-Dwellers live each instant as a complete universe. To them, the concept of linear time is not just wrong - it's absurd. They derisively call linear-time believers "Timeys" and find their obsession with sequences amusing.
Their society functions through what appears to outsiders as random, scattered interactions - a trade negotiation might span years with participants appearing to forget and remember at random intervals, yet somehow their civilization thrives.
### The Parallel Existence
While occupying the same forests and mountains, the two cultures rarely acknowledge each other directly. It's not forbidden - it's simply considered impolite, like staring at someone's embarrassing mistake. When interaction is necessary, it's conducted with elaborate protocols designed to minimize temporal philosophical conflicts.
### The Pacific Northwest Setting
The world resembles the Pacific Northwest with its:
- Perpetual mists and gentle rains
- Towering evergreen forests
- Mushroom circles and fairy rings
- Moss-covered everything
- Coffee culture (but with mushroom-based brews)
- Laid-back, contemplative atmosphere
- Artisanal approach to decomposition
### Cultural Aesthetics
Both cultures share certain "Portland vibes":
- Intentionally sustainable (though for different reasons)
- Quietly prideful of their unique worldviews
- Artisanal crafts focusing on natural materials
- Elaborate coffee/tea ceremonies
- Subtle competition over who's more enlightened
- Ironic humor about their fundamental differences
### Current Tensions
The discovery of the Immutable Stone has created multiple crisis points:
- Theological debates about the nature of entropy
- Secret societies practicing time manipulation
- Increasing "temporal incidents" at the borders between cultures
- Young rebels from both cultures beginning to question their elders
- Mysterious disappearances near the Immutable Stone
### The Mushroom Cults
Various orders devoted to specific fungi species:
- The Chanterelle Chorus (musicians who sing to encourage decomposition)
- The Morel Mysteries (keepers of secret decomposition techniques)
- The Destroying Angel Devotees (those who study toxic mushrooms)
- The Mycelial Monks (who meditate on underground fungal networks)
This world exists in a delicate balance between competing philosophies of time and decay, where the greatest truths might be found in the spaces between perspectives.</div> </article> <aside style="background: #f8f9fa; padding: 1.5rem; border-radius: 8px; height: fit-content; max-height: 80vh; overflow-y: auto;"> <h3 style="margin-top: 0;">Navigate This World</h3> <div style="margin-bottom: 2rem;"> <h4 style="margin: 0 0 0.5rem 0; font-size: 1rem; color: #333;">Overview</h4> <div style="padding: 0.5rem; background: #e3f2fd; border-radius: 4px; border-left: 3px solid #2196f3;"> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; color: #1976d2; font-weight: 500;">
You are here
</span> </div> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 2rem;"> <h4 style="margin: 0 0 1rem 0; font-size: 1rem; color: #333;">Taxonomies</h4> <div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/artifacts" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Artifacts </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/artifacts/entries/temporal-mushrooms" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Temporal Mushrooms </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Chapters </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/01-the-ninety-days-of-singing" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 01 The Ninety Days Of Singing </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/02-spore-fall" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 02 Spore Fall </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/03-the-taste-of-time" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 03 The Taste Of Time </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/04-emergency-protocols" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 04 Emergency Protocols </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/05-the-network-dreams" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 05 The Network Dreams </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/06-the-philosophers-response" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 06 The Philosophers Response </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/07-paradox-children" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 07 Paradox Children </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/08-the-uncontained" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 08 The Uncontained </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/09-synthesis-and-schism" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 09 Synthesis And Schism </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/10-the-stones-reflection" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> 10 The Stones Reflection </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/chapters/entries/epilogue-seven-years-hence-ago-always" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Epilogue Seven Years Hence Ago Always </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Characters </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/brother-agaricus" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Brother Agaricus </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/commander-decay-moss" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Commander Decay Moss </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/cordyceps-chen" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Cordyceps Chen </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/dr-elena-chen" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Dr Elena Chen </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/moss-witheringly" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Moss Witheringly </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/sister-psilocybe" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Sister Psilocybe </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/characters/entries/temporal-auditor-kaze" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Temporal Auditor Kaze </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/entities" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Entities </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/entities/entries/the-undergrowth-consciousness" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Undergrowth Consciousness </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/locations" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Locations </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/locations/entries/cathedral-grove" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> Cathedral Grove </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/major-events" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Major Events </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/major-events/entries/the-great-sporing" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Great Sporing </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/major-events/entries/the-orthodoxy-purification" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Orthodoxy Purification </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/major-events/entries/the-spreading-paradox" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Spreading Paradox </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/major-events/entries/the-temporal-intersection-massacre" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Temporal Intersection Massacre </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/organizations" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Organizations </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/organizations/entries/the-combined-response" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Combined Response </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/philosophical-movements" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Philosophical Movements </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/philosophical-movements/entries/the-eternal-presentists" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Eternal Presentists </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/philosophical-movements/entries/the-permanence-weavers" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Permanence Weavers </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/philosophical-movements/entries/the-sequential-heretics" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Sequential Heretics </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/philosophical-movements/entries/the-stone-deniers" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Stone Deniers </a> </div> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 1rem; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0; border-radius: 6px; overflow: hidden;"> <div style="background: #fafafa; padding: 0.75rem; border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/primary-texts" style="color: #1976d2; text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; display: block;"> Primary Texts </a> </div> <div style="padding: 0.5rem;"> <a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/primary-texts/entries/the-cross-cultural-commerce-guide" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Cross Cultural Commerce Guide </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/primary-texts/entries/the-decomposition-canticles" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Decomposition Canticles </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/primary-texts/entries/the-forbidden-synthesis" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Forbidden Synthesis </a><a href="/worlds/undefined/taxonomies/primary-texts/entries/the-simultaneity-scrolls" style="display: block; padding: 0.25rem 0.5rem; color: #666; text-decoration: none; font-size: 0.9em; border-radius: 3px; margin: 2px 0;" onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f0f8ff'; this.style.color='#333';" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='transparent'; this.style.color='#666';"> The Simultaneity Scrolls </a> </div> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </main> </body></html>
