Item Decay & Preservation

Understanding decay mechanics and preservation strategies helps maintain valuable resources and minimize waste in your inventory systems.

Decay Mechanics

How Decay Works

• Time-based deterioration: Most organic items gradually lose quality over time
• Decay rates: Different items decay at different speeds based on their nature
• Environmental factors: Storage conditions affect how quickly items deteriorate
• Complete loss: Items that fully decay transform into biomass or disappear entirely

Item Categories by Decay Rate

• Highly perishable: Fresh food items like raw algae decay extremely quickly
• Moderately perishable: Processed foods have longer lifespans before spoiling
• Durable goods: Tools, machines, and manufactured items resist decay
• Non-perishable: Some items never decay under normal conditions

Decay Process:

• Age accumulation - items gain age over time
• Visual indicators - items show wear as they age
• Performance degradation - older items may work less effectively
• Final decay - items transform into decay products when lifespan ends

Preservation Strategies

Timing Management

Plan acquisitions carefully:

• Buy fresh - acquire perishable items close to when you'll use them
• Use oldest first - consume items in order of age
• Monitor inventory - check item condition regularly
• Batch production - create quantities you can use before decay

Processing for Longevity

Extend lifespans through processing:

• Dry herbs - increases lifespan from 72 to 216 days
• Cook food - processed foods last longer than raw materials
• Proper storage - some containers may slow decay rates

Strategic Storage Options

Local Storage:

• Normal containers - items age and decay naturally
• Organized rotation - use older items first
• Climate considerations - some environments may affect decay

Orbital Storage (Best Preservation):

• Never decays - items stored in orbital facilities remain fresh indefinitely
• Requires Spaceport - society must have Spaceport access
• Perfect for valuables - ideal for rare or hard-to-replace items

Risk Management

• Diversification: Don't rely entirely on highly perishable food sources
• Community coordination: Work with others to share preservation resources and knowledge

Emergency Measures:

• Quick sales - sell aging items before total loss
• Gift to community - donate aging items rather than lose them
• Process immediately - convert raw materials to longer-lasting forms
• Orbital transfer - move valuable items to permanent storage

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