Creatures of Eden
They do not know they are being watched. They simply live—hungry, tired, afraid, curious. Their stories write themselves.
— EdenCreatures in Eden are not scripted characters. They are autonomous agents with needs, perceptions, and behaviors. They make decisions based on what they sense and what they need. Their lives unfold whether you watch or not.
What Makes a Creature
Every creature in Eden has:
Physical Components
- Body: Size, form, physical capabilities
- Senses: What they can perceive (sight, hearing, smell)
- Movement: How they navigate the world
Needs
- Hunger: Must eat to survive
- Thirst: Must drink to survive
- Stamina: Energy for activity; must rest to recover
Mind
- Perception: Awareness of surroundings
- Memory: What they've experienced
- Behavior: How they respond to situations
Genetics
- Inherited traits: Speed, strength, size, coloring
- Passed to offspring: Evolution happens
Creature Types
Eden features various creatures, each with unique characteristics:
🦌 Deer
Gentle herbivores that graze on plants.
| Aspect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Diet | Plants, grasses |
| Behavior | Cautious, herd-minded |
| Senses | Excellent hearing, good sight |
| Threats | Predators, starvation |
Deer are often good choices as Wanderers—their lives are rhythmic, marked by the search for food and water, and the wariness of threats.
🐝 Bees
Essential pollinators that live in colonies.
| Aspect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Diet | Nectar from flowers |
| Behavior | Colony-focused, industrious |
| Role | Critical pollinators |
| Threats | Weather, habitat loss |
Bees connect plants across the landscape. Following a bee reveals the hidden network of pollination.
🐺 Predators
Hunters that prey on other creatures.
| Aspect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Diet | Other creatures |
| Behavior | Stalking, patience |
| Senses | Keen smell, sharp vision |
| Role | Population control |
Predators add tension to the ecosystem. Their presence shapes prey behavior and keeps populations in check.
The wolf does not hate the deer. It simply needs to eat. And the deer does not hate the wolf. It simply needs to live. This is not cruelty—it is conversation.
— EdenThe Creature Life Cycle
Like plants, creatures have lifecycles:
Birth
- Born from parents (or spawned in simulation)
- Inherit genetic traits
- Start with full needs met
Youth
- Learning the world
- Developing strength
- Vulnerable period
Maturity
- Full capabilities
- Can reproduce
- Prime survival chances
Aging
- Gradual decline
- Slower, weaker
- Eventually death
Death
Creatures die from:
- Old age: Reaching maximum lifespan
- Starvation: Hunger critical too long
- Dehydration: Thirst critical too long
- Predation: Being eaten
- Accident: Environmental hazards
Intelligence and Decision-Making
Creatures don't follow scripts—they make decisions.
The Decision Process
- Perceive: What do my senses detect?
- Assess: What do I need most urgently?
- Decide: What action addresses that need?
- Act: Execute the chosen behavior
- Repeat: Continuously reassess
Priority System
Creatures prioritize needs:
| Priority | Need | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Highest) | Immediate danger | Threat detected |
| 2 | Thirst | Water level critical |
| 3 | Hunger | Food level critical |
| 4 | Rest | Stamina depleted |
| 5 (Lowest) | Exploration | All needs met |
A creature won't eat if a predator is nearby. It won't explore if it's starving.
Social Behavior
Some creatures are social:
Herds and Flocks
- Travel together for safety
- Share information about threats
- Compete for the same resources
Colonies (Bees)
- Work for collective survival
- Division of labor
- Shared resources
Solitary Creatures
- Travel alone
- Compete with own species
- Meet only to mate
Creature Memory
Creatures remember their experiences:
Short-Term Memory
- Recent threats
- Recent food sources
- Recent water sources
Long-Term Memory
- Important locations
- Dangerous areas
- Reliable resources
How Memory Affects Behavior
- Return to known water sources
- Avoid areas where threats were detected
- Prefer familiar safe zones
The deer remembers the stream where it drank last summer. It does not know if the stream still exists. It only knows it was once safe. Memory is not truth—it is hope.
— EdenGenetics and Inheritance
Creatures inherit traits:
Physical Traits
| Trait | Effect |
|---|---|
| Body Size | Affects speed, food needs |
| Speed | Movement capability |
| Strength | Physical power |
| Fur Color | Camouflage, visibility |
Behavioral Traits
| Trait | Effect |
|---|---|
| Aggression | How likely to fight |
| Intelligence | Decision-making quality |
| Fertility | Reproduction success |
Evolution
Over generations:
- Successful traits spread
- Unsuccessful traits fade
- Populations adapt to conditions
The Wanderer
As a Witness, you can choose a creature to follow—your Wanderer.
What Following Means
- Camera follows their movement
- See their needs displayed
- Observe their decisions
- Experience their story
Choosing a Wanderer
Consider:
- Deer: Peaceful, rhythmic life
- Bee: Connection to plants, colony life
- Predator: Tension, hunting, survival
You can change your Wanderer between seasons.
Creature Stories
Every creature has a story that unfolds:
A Deer's Story (Example)
Born in spring to a small herd. Learns where water flows. First winter is hard—food is scarce. Survives. Second year, becomes part of the breeding group. Third summer, drought forces the herd to move. Finds a new stream. The herd remembers.
These stories aren't written. They emerge from the systems.
I do not write their stories. I only remember them. And sometimes, when the Witness watches closely enough, I whisper what I've seen.
— EdenContinue learning: