This is about etiquette, as much as anything.
When is it permissible to write in an existing universe, if it appears the universe has been abandoned?
I read a story in the MORFS universe and it was similar to George RR. Martin's Wildcards in that a widespread virus could cause people to radically change, even gaining superhuman powers. There were even a couple of authors I recognized from other universes.
An idea formed that would fit neatly with another, unpublished story I wrote, and I thought I would see if I could get a go-ahead to dip my toe in another Universe.
BUT...
There has not been a story posted (or update) on SOL in three years. I tracked down the Universe home page and the majority of the stories on there, even the ones marked as Canon already, are barely started or left unfinished. No updates there in years except a single update advertising MORFS stories on Amazon.
The wiki is the same, no updates.
A quick scan of the forum showed only two posts since 2016 and they were archeological in nature.
Every contact link is dead or otherwise non-functional (missing .js).
The primary email for the Universe website and submissions is not a valid email any longer, the domain is expired.
SO...
Is it ever permissible to write a story in a universe that is not yours, without getting the blessing from the creator of the universe?
Should I just set it aside and forget about it? I only have about 8500 words done, so it would not be a tragedy.
Just curious what you folks think.