Post-Apocalypse
Table of Contents
'Souls is set over twenty years after the demise of humans. The 1988 virus that destroyed them was a fast-acting pandemic which wiped out most human populations within weeks. This sudden death of the planet's dominant species had profound effects on the planet, its environments, and its other species, and this page will provide a concise guide to some of these effects. There are many books, movies, documentaries, and other media that explore the consequences of an abrupt end to humanity, as well as post-apocalypse settings where humans still survive. In addition to this guide, you can look into some of these titles to get a general idea of what the 'Soulsverse is like.
Earth’s Recovery
The demise of humans facilitated a 'cleansing' of harmful chemicals and waste, as most of these substances are no longer actively produced without humans to operate plants, cars, homes, and other facilities and machines. Initially, lack of maintenance initially created many dangerous situations around toxic plants. Without maintenance, all nuclear reactors reached a point where they exploded, spreading fallout over large areas. Any animals surviving fled to unaffected areas, and eventually, rain washed away radioactive particles from the planet's surface and carried it further into the ground, cleaning plants and objects. Radioactive particles in the air dissipated. Plants and trees removed the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which remained cleaner without humans to continuously pollute it. Rivers initially over-polluted by a lack of sewage control eventually flow clear as the plants exhaust their supply of sewage and other wastes.
Without human predator control, domesticated farm animals such as dairy cows, chickens, and sheep have become extinct. However, beef cattle, goats, and other, sturdier animals formed herds and survived. Without electric fences, animals in zoos escaped, though a majority of the exotic species will have died without care. Other species might have started small, localized populations, though it is highly unlikely that any of these populations will ever grow to a formidable size given the animals' very limited breeding options. Additionally, exotic species from warmer climates that were unable to migrate fast enough will have died. Meanwhile, native populations experience huge booms as they overtake areas that humans had previously taken from them. Predators follow their prey into these re-captured areas, which accounts for the large wolf and coyote population in Nova Scotia. Urban and suburban areas similarly overrun with squirrels, raccoons, deer, bears, and other wildlife.
Fossil fuel power stations have shut down, meaning that any areas powered by such facilities will not have any access to electricity. Areas powered by wind turbines are similarly handicapped as the rotors have seized up over time. Areas powered by dam generators may have remained working for months or even years after the humans, but twenty years after the fact, these generators will have also stopped working. Without power, the pumps keeping underground tunnel systems and subways from being submerged fail, and these areas have flooded. The water facilitated an even faster breakdown of building materials and cities built over such systems, such as New York and Tokyo, have collapsed on themselves. Many cities were devastated by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods. Dozens of cities lay flattened and leveled, leaving them unrecognizable and vulnerable to nature's takeover. Particularly ravaged areas like Florida have been swept away.
Buildings and Structures
Metal in cars disintegrate due to oxidization, and moisture eats away at concrete structures. Moss and plants take over roads and sidewalks everywhere as moisture weakens and cracks the concrete. Grass, clovers, and other vegetation have carpeted a majority of highways, leaving little trace of the weary grey. Rural roads cease to exist and vegetation has reclaimed almost all suburban areas with trees and bushes growing in and out of dangerous, rotting houses.
Many buildings in 'Souls are uninhabitable and/or dangerous as they have been decaying and have fallen into disrepair. Termites infest the wooden structure of houses and cottages and water damage speeds rusting of pipes. Prypiat, Ukraine was abandoned in 1986. Much of the 'Soulsverse resembles the buildings in Prypiat. Many buildings lack windows and roofs, and only the cement foundations and walls remain. House roofs collapsed, and now trees grow inside them.
Garbage litter the interiors; almost all houses would be covered in broken glass. There would be almost no intact windows remaining -- Nova Scotia is occasionally struck by low-power hurricanes, and airborne debris during periods of high wind would cause heavy breakage. Few things found in the outer portions of homes would be usable -- if anything is to be salvaged, it will be deeper in the building and away from the open windows.
These photographs of the Ambassador Hotel, built in 1928 in Gary, Indiana, shows 23 years of decay. It was abandoned in 1985, and the image was taken December of 2008. Already the building is in terrible condition.
Credit: 1st: reallyboring@Flickr; 2nd + 3rd: slworking@Flickr
While some buildings are still inhabitable, houses are not built to withstand twenty years of destruction and lack of maintenance; many would be half-standing or falling down. Stores are the most likely habitable buildings, and even they would require some form of restoration prior to being acceptable housing. Taller buildings' lightning rods have eroded by now, and a strike from lightning could set the entire building on fire.
Without humans maintaining the dykes, parts of Nova Scotia flood. The tidal ranges along the Bay of Fundy are very large; they can range up to 15 metres (49 ft). Many of the dykes have been broken, or are in the process of eroding. Areas close to water are especially prone to damage, and will be among the first to collapse and show signs of wear and tear. Many buildings along Halifax's harbour have begun the process of decay.
Present Examples
- Cairo, Illinois
- Prypiat, Ukraine
- Gary, Indiana
- There are some great image collections of post-disasters. These include Wikimedia Commons collections of Pripyat, Ukraine and Ingrogmation's post-Hurricane Katrina photos of New Orleans.
Items and Goods
A majority of casual and everyday items will have destroyed by now. Books will be in very poor condition due to flooding, moisture, vegetation growth, etc. Most electronics would be completely unusable as all wires and small parts have been damaged. Many fabrics and clothing will have mold, and leather goods have rotted or been eaten. Water damage has warped most plastics out of shape and anything made of iron will have rusted, some to the point of disintegration.
Nevertheless, it is not impossible to find undamaged or usable items. Safes and time capsules that have only begun to deteriorate may have preserved various documents, safekeeps, and jewelry. Items kept in sealed glass jars or other containers may also have avoided heavy damage. Wines, other alcohols, preservatives, and rations meant to last a long time may still be same to consume. The higher parts of buildings tall enough to avoid flooding but low enough to avoid lightning strikes may have saved some items from related damages.
Post-1988 Human Contributions
The human pandemic occurred in 1988. Because of this, anything that was built or created by humans after 1988 in the real world does not exist in the 'Souls world. For example, the Confederation Bridge linking Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island does not exist in the 'Soulsverse because it was built by humans between 1993 and 1997. Additionally, items such as mp3 players, flat screen computers and televisions, and smart cars do not exist; certain styles of clothing and certain books don't exist. Other items like cellphones and laptops are very rare and even then are very different from cellphones and laptops as we know them today.