Galactic Geography
Last updated: 2/9/2026
The galaxy humanity inhabits is vast, but accessible space represents only a fraction of that vastness. Faster-than-light travel connects scattered systems through mapped Worldline routes, creating highways between stars while leaving enormous voids unexplored and unreachable.
Understanding galactic geography means knowing more than distances. It means understanding which routes are safe, which systems demand bribes, and which sectors actively hunt certain species or factions. The wrong jump can land you in hostile territory. The right connection can save weeks of travel.
This is not a complete map of known space. It's a survival guide to the systems that matter.
17.1 The Structure of Known Space
Human-accessible space divides into sectors centered on major star systems or strategic locations. These sectors rarely have clear boundaries as influence tends to bleed across borders, creating contested zones and overlapping jurisdictions.
Sector Classifications
Core Sectors: High population density, strong governance, extensive infrastructure
- Sol System (Earth, Mars, Venus, Titan)
- Proxima Centauri (Elathria, Sylaria)
- Alpha Centauri (Research stations and outposts)
Colony Sectors: Established settlements, moderate infrastructure, developing economies
- Tau Ceti (Aqueone, Terra)
- Kepler-442 (Cerco, agricultural worlds)
- Gliese systems (Various specialized colonies)
Frontier Sectors: Minimal infrastructure, limited governance, high risk/reward
- Sirius (Metronis Station, Orionis Belt)
- Scorpius Arm (Lawless territories, pirate havens)
- Outer rim systems (Uncharted, dangerous)
Restricted Sectors: Limited or prohibited access, specialized control
- Cetus (Cybernetic Collective territory)
- Qintari System (Three identical worlds, heavily restricted)
- Temporal Anomaly Zones (Unstable, dangerous, studied)
Contested Zones: Multiple factions claim authority, legal chaos
- Sirius Belt (VSU vs. independent miners)
- Draco Sector (Noble house conflicts)
- Former Drildec territories (Abandoned war zones)
17.2 Major Star Systems
Sol System (Core Sector)
- Star Type: G-type main sequence (G2V)
- Distance from Origin: 0 light-years (human origin point)
- Political Control: Coalition Planetary Authority (fragmented authority)
- Population: ~15 billion across system
Primary Bodies:
Earth (Sol III) Broken homeworld, orbital stations and limited surface settlements
- Population: ~2 billion (mostly orbital)
- Government: Coalition bureaucracy
- Economy: Administrative, historical, symbolic
- Conditions: Surface largely uninhabitable, recovering slowly
- Legal Status: Heavily regulated, strict permits required
Mars (Sol IV) Industrial and military powerhouse, autonomous within CPA
- Population: ~8 billion
- Government: Martian Defense Directorate (military republic)
- Economy: Manufacturing, military, mining
- Conditions: Domed cities, terraformed zones expanding
- Legal Status: Independent military authority within Coalition framework
Venus (Sol II) Hidden research stations in upper atmosphere and orbit
- Population: ~500 million
- Government: Scientific Council (isolationist)
- Economy: Advanced research, genetic engineering, nexacite studies
- Conditions: Floating stations, hostile surface
- Legal Status: Autonomous, minimal CPA oversight
Titan (Saturn VI) Cracked moon, mining operations, hybrid populations
- Population: ~1 billion
- Government: Mining syndicates and collective councils
- Economy: Resource extraction, survival trade
- Conditions: Subsurface habitats, dangerous environment
- Legal Status: Loosely Coalition-aligned, minimal enforcement
Notable Features:
- Asteroid Belt: Mining operations, independent stations
- Jupiter's Moons: Research outposts, gas mining
- Saturn's Moons: Multiple small colonies and stations
Travel Notes:
- Heavy traffic, frequent inspections
- Credentials checked routinely
- Heat >= 3 makes system access difficult
- Internal travel relatively safe but monitored
Proxima Centauri System (Core Sector)
- Star Type: M-type red dwarf (M5.5Ve)
- Distance from Sol: 4.24 light-years
- Political Control: Elathrian Harmony Council
- Population: ~3 billion across system
Primary Bodies:
Elathria (Proxima Centauri b) Elathrian homeworld, cultural and spiritual center
- Population: ~2 billion
- Government: Harmony Council (consensus-based)
- Economy: Arts, philosophy, diplomatic services, spiritual guidance
- Conditions: Mild climate, extensive natural preservation
- Legal Status: Spiritual law, communal justice
Sylaria (Proxima Centauri c) Medical and healing world, sister planet to Elathria
- Population: ~1 billion
- Government: Medical Assembly (healer-led)
- Economy: Medical training, pharmaceutical research, healing services
- Conditions: Mountainous, extensive medical facilities
- Legal Status: Humanitarian protection, medical neutrality
Notable Features:
- Seer's Hand headquarters on Elathria
- Galaxy's premier medical universities on Sylaria
- Strong diplomatic ties with Coalition
- Neutral ground for negotiations
Travel Notes:
- Welcoming to peaceful visitors
- Emotional honesty valued over credentials
- Violence heavily punished
- Spiritual customs must be respected
Tau Ceti System (Colony Sector)
- Star Type: G-type main sequence (G8V)
- Distance from Sol: 11.9 light-years
- Political Control: Dual governance (Aqueone/Aeriedes)
- Population: ~5 billion across system
Primary Bodies:
Aqueone Water world, trade hub, diplomatic center
- Population: ~3 billion
- Government: Merchant Council (commerce-focused)
- Economy: Trade, shipping, banking, diplomacy
- Conditions: Ocean cities, floating platforms, temperate
- Legal Status: Everything legal if taxed properly
Terra Information hub, data markets, communication relay
- Population: ~1 billion
- Government: Network Collective (digital democracy)
- Economy: Information brokering, communications, tech services
- Conditions: Dense urban centers, massive server farms
- Legal Status: Data privacy laws, information regulation
Aeriedes Moon of Aqueone, smuggling haven, black market center
- Population: ~500 million
- Government: Loose syndicate control
- Economy: Black market trade, smuggling, money laundering
- Conditions: Low gravity, underground cities
- Legal Status: Plausible deniability, look the other way
Notable Features:
- Major trade crossroads
- Extensive banking and credit networks
- Black market accessible but risky
- Diplomatic conferences held regularly
Travel Notes:
- Documentation critical for legal trade
- Bribes expected for smooth operations
- Aeriedes is dangerous but profitable
- Strong Commerce skill valuable
Sirius System (Frontier Sector)
- Star Type: Binary system (A-type + white dwarf)
- Distance from Sol: 8.6 light-years
- Political Control: Fragmented (station-based, faction territories)
- Population: ~2 billion (mostly transient)
Primary Bodies:
Metronis Station (Sirius Station Alpha) Massive artificial construct, galaxy's largest trade station
- Population: ~1.5 billion
- Government: District councils (decentralized chaos)
- Economy: Everything—trade, crime, entertainment, industry
- Conditions: Pressurized districts, varied environments
- Legal Status: District-dependent, faction law supersedes
Orionis Mining Complex Asteroid belt facility, nexacite extraction center
- Population: ~300 million (workers)
- Government: Orionis Mining Guild (corporate)
- Economy: Nexacite mining, fuel production, processing
- Conditions: Zero-gravity sections, dangerous operations
- Legal Status: Guild law absolute, trespassers shot
Sirius Belt Asteroid field, salvage operations, pirate havens
- Population: ~200 million (scattered)
- Government: None (VSU claims territory)
- Economy: Salvage, piracy, illegal mining
- Conditions: Vacuum, debris fields, combat zones
- Legal Status: Survival of the fittest
Notable Features:
- Steel Lotus Syndicate headquarters
- Veyron Salvaging Union operations
- Dogs of Saturn base of operations
- Major black market access point
Travel Notes:
- Extremely dangerous outside Metronis
- Faction standing critical for safety
- VSU attacks unauthorized salvagers
- Perfect place to disappear (or be disappeared)
Wolf 359 System (Specialized Sector)
- Star Type: M-type red dwarf (M6V)
- Distance from Sol: 7.86 light-years
- Political Control: Cybernetic Collective
- Population: ~2 billion (mostly Cybernetics)
Primary Bodies:
Cetus (Wolf 359 b) Cybernetic homeworld, geometric perfection
- Population: ~2 billion (95% Cybernetic)
- Government: Algorithmic consensus
- Economy: Advanced computing, AI development, logic processing
- Conditions: Perfectly ordered, minimal organic life support
- Legal Status: Digital law, organic life barely tolerated
Notable Features:
- Origin point of Cybernetic independence
- Most advanced computing in known space
- Extremely hostile to organic contamination
- Zenith Technologies research facility
Travel Notes:
- Environmental suits required for organics
- Logic-based arguments only
- Emotional appeals fail automatically
- Access strictly controlled
Qintari System (Restricted Sector)
- Star Type: Neutron star (recycled pulsar)
- Distance from Sol: Unknown (coordinates classified)
- Political Control: Qintari Consensus
- Population: ~500 million (all Qintari)
Primary Bodies:
Serapii Desert world, crystalline plains, nexacite resonance
- Population: ~200 million
- Government: Qintari Consensus
- Economy: Nexacite manipulation, temporal research
- Conditions: Extreme temperature swings, crystal formations
- Legal Status: Access prohibited without invitation
Vaelorii Forest world, temporal echo phenomena
- Population: ~150 million
- Government: Qintari Consensus
- Economy: Temporal research, consciousness studies
- Conditions: Dense forests, temporal distortions
- Legal Status: Access prohibited without invitation
Thalynii Ice world, frozen memory preservation
- Population: ~150 million
- Government: Qintari Consensus
- Economy: Memory storage, temporal archiving
- Conditions: Extreme cold, ice formations never melt
- Legal Status: Access prohibited without invitation
Notable Features:
- Three identical planets with different biomes
- Source of advanced nexacite understanding
- Time Keepers rumored to monitor system
- Most mysterious civilization in known space
Travel Notes:
- Coordinates unknown to most
- Entry requires specific invitation
- Visitors rarely return unchanged
- Temporal anomalies common
17.3 Worldline Routes and FTL Travel
Faster-than-light travel follows mapped Worldlines which are stable threads through spacetime created by massive objects and energetic phenomena.
Primary Trade Routes
Sol-Proxima Route (The First Road) Most traveled route in known space
- Distance: 4.24 light-years
- Travel time: 1-2 days
- Traffic: Extremely heavy
- Hazards: Minimal, heavily patrolled
- Toll: 500 credits (standard ships)
Sol-Tau Ceti Route (The Merchant's Path) Major commercial corridor
- Distance: 11.9 light-years
- Travel time: 3-5 days
- Traffic: Heavy commercial
- Hazards: Pirates in outer reaches
- Toll: 1,000 credits
Sirius-Sol Route (The Belt Run) Dangerous but profitable
- Distance: 8.6 light-years
- Travel time: 2-3 days
- Traffic: Moderate, often smugglers
- Hazards: VSU patrols, pirates, salvagers
- Toll: Variable (500-2,000 credits depending on cargo)
Secondary Routes
Frontier Connections: Less maintained, higher risk
- Lower traffic volume
- Minimal or no patrols
- Outdated navigation data
- Possible anomalies or hazards
Black Routes: Unmapped or restricted Worldlines
- Used by smugglers and criminals
- No official navigation data
- High danger, high reward
- Discovery requires Surveying skill or contacts
FTL Travel Mechanics
Standard Jump:
- Costs 1 fuel unit per 20 hexes
- Takes 1 Narrative Phase per 20 hexes
- Requires Navigation check (TD 4) for routine routes
Long Jump:
- Covering 40+ hexes in single jump
- Higher fuel consumption
- Navigation check TD 6
- Risk of misjump on failure
Emergency Jump:
- Immediate departure under duress
- Navigation check TD 8
- Double fuel consumption
- Risk of arriving off-target
Misjump Consequences
| Severity | Effect |
|---|---|
| Minor | Arrive 1d6 hours late, slight fuel waste |
| Moderate | Arrive 1d6 light-years off course, 50% extra fuel |
| Severe | Arrive in dangerous location, possible ship damage |
| Critical | Lost in uncharted space, major ship systems damaged |
17.4 Dangerous Sectors and Hazard Zones
Temporal Anomaly Zones
Locations: Scattered throughout galaxy, often near former Drildec sites
Hazards:
- Time dilation effects
- Causality violations
- Ship systems malfunction
- Crew psychological effects
- Possible timeline fragmentation
Known Zones:
- Callisto Fracture (Jupiter orbit)
- Titan Scar (Saturn system)
- Echo Nebula (outer rim)
- Drildec Graves (multiple locations)
Travel Advisory: Avoid unless equipped with chronocite shielding
Pirate Territories
Hot Zones:
- Outer Sirius Belt
- Scorpius Arm systems
- Unpatrolled frontier routes
- Former war zones
Pirate Tactics:
- Ambush at jump exit points
- False distress signals
- Sensor jamming
- Overwhelming force or speed
Survival Tips:
- Travel in convoys when possible
- Maintain weapons ready
- Keep shields charged
- Have escape routes planned
Radiation Fields
Sources:
- Stellar flares and ejections
- Damaged reactors and weapons
- Ancient battlefields
- Experimental sites gone wrong
Effects:
- Hull damage over time
- Crew radiation exposure
- System interference
- Long-term contamination
Protection:
- Radiation shielding (ship modification)
- Anti-Rad medication
- Short exposure times
- Avoid hotspots identified on charts
Derelict Zones
Former Battlefields:
- Debris fields dangerous to navigation
- Possible unexploded ordnance
- Valuable salvage opportunities
- Haunting anomalies
Abandoned Stations:
- Structural instability
- Unknown hazards
- Possible survivors or squatters
- Rich in salvageable components
17.5 Points of Interest
Navigation Beacons
Automated markers providing location data and warnings
- Essential for safe FTL travel
- Maintained by CPA or local factions
- Some hijacked by pirates (false beacons)
- Updating navigation databases crucial
Relay Stations
Communication hubs connecting distant systems
- Enable long-distance messaging
- Expensive but reliable
- Strategic military importance
- Targets during conflicts
Refueling Depots
Scattered facilities for ship resupply
- Vary from automated stations to full facilities
- Prices fluctuate based on location and supply
- Some operated by factions or syndicates
- Critical for long-range travel
Hidden Caches
Undocumented supply drops or safe points
- Created by smugglers, militaries, or explorers
- Require specific coordinates
- May be depleted or compromised
- High value if located