Overview
Veridens is the species resulting from the molecular plague that overtook Earth, creating hybrid plant-animal-fungal life forms:
- Zoophyta: Motile species with plant-like physiology but animal traits.
- Photosynthzoa: Sessile species with animal-like physiology but plant traits.
- Mycetheria: Novel animal species with fungal features.
- Anzumycos/Anzuphyta: Species mimicking complex animal life.
- Neuromycota: Parasitic fungi that control other life forms.
- Anthropophyta/Phytanthrope/Yakshi: Plant species with neural correlates and humanoid physiology
Through the reinforced windows of Gateway Arcology, Maya watches a World Tree pierce the clouds. Even at this distance, its trunk must be kilometers wide. The Green has changed the sunset - spores in the Veil turn the light an ethereal purple. Movement catches her eye: something humanoid glides between the massive branches, too far to make out clearly. The perimeter sensors haven't triggered, but Maya keys the defense grid anyway. Three centuries since the Green appeared, and humanity still doesn't understand what walks in Earth's eternal twilight. She touches the window, feeling the constant vibration of the arcology's systems keeping the relentless jungle at bay.