Space

Human society is not limited to the planet, but has spread beyond and into outer space. In addition, humanity has explored or learned about much of the universe as far as the Divide, and a little beyond in some places.

Solar System

See Solar System

Stations

The first step at living off world. Stations were an early attempt to deal with the rising population many countries on the planet were experiencing. The stations are essentially cities built and maintained in normally unlivable areas. While most stations have been built in space, there is one notable exception, the Atlantis Biodome. This station was built at the bottom of the Ocean of Tyral, and to date is the only station to break way from its controlling nation. A number of nations have current plans to attempt to establish more undersea stations, as well as a couple of planned stations in the Wastes.

Colony Worlds

The second attempt of settling offworld. Colony worlds are those worlds that humanity has establish itself on to the point of dominating the majority of the world. There are human colony worlds spread throughout the known universe. Some of the colony worlds were established during the Exodus and have remained independent of the governments on New Earth. Others were initially set up as protectorates of their founding nations. Early in the 41st Century the colony worlds waged war with the nations of the planet to gain their independence. Since that time, all colonies have been considered free nations with their own governments. The colony worlds, in an attempt to maintain a presence on New Earth, have set up a Colonial Counsel. This counsel serves the same function offworld as the UCFS does onworld. In fact, the UCFS has even recognized the authority of this counsel, and in an act of goodwill the two governing bodies have allowed a single representative from the other to sit in and let their views be heard.

Currently, there are 40 colony worlds spread throughout the known universe. Each world has its own unique and distinctive culture, much like the nations of the world do. Even though they have all banded together to form the Counsel, many of these colonies do not agree on many subjects. The Colonial Counsel is more of a way to stand against the might of the parent nations than anything else.

The forty existing colonies are: Amydien, Asenheim, Astsir, Batyrian, Belin, Brozati, Calindra, Chishiki, Do'Stan, Dugan, Enlik, Farak, Galil-Gadia, Geonid, Heracles, Icarus, Is, Isil-Gania, Isosshor, Javandra, Kalista, Kaoeven, Lilassi, Loignus, Luxiar, Mak'Oor, Momli, Nadroj, Ocoen, Okami, Prirk, Quiris, Rahulik, Ram-u-dria, Simyr, Uneajar, Usus, Vrool, Xerxes, and Yreoddyn.

Space

Known space is all of the areas covered by the one-hundred twenty-five sectors of space. Each sector measures out an area approximately 60x60x60 parsecs. This area of space encompasses the only areas of space to have been explored in any great detail by the friendly species of the universe. The area known as the Divide surrounds the entirety of this region. The Divide is the name for the starless areas of space surrounding the known universe. Very few explorations have entered this area, as the lack of stars makes navigation difficult. Along the edges of the known universe is the area called the Span. These pockets of stars, sometimes with systems, are the only areas this side of the Divide to not be fully explored. The systems within the Span are known for being wild, lawless areas. They are the last bastions of civilization on the edge of the unknown. Beyond the Divide, no one knows what will be found. There could be entire other universes like our own, or there could be nothing at all. While some foolhardy individuals have attempted to explore the regions beyond the Divide, none has yet to return. Most recently, a man by the name of Captain Larry McLean has begun to organize a new expedition past the Divide, using the most advanced technology available. It remains to be seen whether or not this expedition will ever take place, and what it will uncover (if anything).

The Span

To fully realize and map the known universe, some creative visualization is required. It is best to imagine all of space as a large rectangle. Each face of the rectangle is given a name, and the Span are offshoots of those sides. What is considered up or down, left or right, and front or back has all been determined by the world's scientists. Most sentient species have come up with similar naming conventions, and in recent years many have switched over to this, the current standardized version. A few archaic terms still exist, but none are widely recognized.

The "top" side is the Bankward side, named for the fact that a ship facing "up" would have to bank to aim this direction. The "forward" facing side is the Rimward side, named for the fact it is facing the rim of known space. The "left" side is the Spinward side, named because this is the direction the universe and all major bodies within it spin. The "right" side is the Trailward side, which is based off trails spinning celestial bodies leave in their wake. The "rear" facing side is the Coreward side, because it faces opposite the edge (and therefore toward the core) of known space. The "bottom" side is the Diveward side, for being opposite the Bankward side and thus requiring a spacecraft to dive to point this direction.

Space Transportation

See Space Transportation

Galactic Accord

Much like the United Confederation of Free States is a gathering of disparate nations with the goal of maintaining global peace, the Galactic Accord is a gathering of species of intelligent life with the goal of maintaining galactic peace. The accord has no set meeting place, changing planets every year (local time). While this does mean some planets hold the base of the Accord for shorter periods of time, it prevents any one planet from being favored over another. Since every planet is given the opportunity to hold the Accord, and planetary cycles are outside of the control of anyone, all are given equal footing in this way. Currently, the home of the accord is the Lati controlled Laragion.

The member species are: Besik, D'Torr, Danog, Felinus, Grey, Human, J'r'rin, Neohuman, Proto, Saurian, and Tiberon.

Currently petitioning for entry are: Bem, Chitula, and Ellgiem.

The Aero, Dynan, Fenri, Flayer, Lati, Progenitor, and Silicate, are not currently a part of the Accord for one reason or another.

Only seven sentient species have been banned from the Accord. The Anzee, Dolphi, Myrmi, and Yikari have not been granted a presence, on the pretense that they do not control any world of their own and merely inhabit the worlds of other sentient species. The Faceless Ones and Scourge are merely banned because they have not only shown no interest in membership, they actively contribute to many of the issues the Accord tries to deal with.