Introduction
The Milky Way Galaxy is, as self-evident, quite big. In fact, the grand sum of galactic civilization, stretching over thousands of years, has barely filled a fraction of a fraction of the galaxy. To catalogue every landmark, every homeworld of note, and every system of prominence, would be a futile task. Recorded below are just the most prominent to galactic civilization at large; the myriad homeworlds of sapient life, and notable systems, stellar phenomena, or other such landmarks.
Notable Planets or Moons
Generally, planets or moons considered noteworthy on the Galactic scale tend to be the cultural capitals, governmental capitals, or origin bodies of a certain Species or Government.
Terra
Birthplace of Humanity, and a major player in the Orion Confederation
Luna
After the Final War, the global conflict which nearly ended Humanity, Luna became the primary cultural and legislative hub in the Sol system. Although this status has been hotly contested by Mars for over two centuries, Luna is still considered the capital of the Sol system, and unofficially the Orion Confederation. Luna, having been terraformed successfully sometime in the mid to late 2300s, is today a bustling satellite, bristling with cities, academies, and preserves for many species of life native to Earth which had been driven to near extinction before the War. Eminently fashionable, the denizens of Luna quietly look down on the bureaucrats and farmers of Earth as much as they do the technicians and manufacturers of Mars.
Mars
The Red Planet, an industrial powerhouse within the Sol System, and a founding member of the Orion Confederation.
The Belt Colonial Union
The collective government of the asteroid belt, numerous moons and stations inhabiting the reaches of the Outer Sol System, namely those in the vicinity of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Qerr'balak
The homeworld of the Skrell and Teshari, and well as the current capital of the Vikaran Federation. (WIP)
Moghes
The far-off capital of the Kingdom of Moghes, origin world of the Unathi. Trade with this government, let alone travel, is heavily restricted, resulting in difficulty confirming what stories about this planet are true. (WIP)
Adhomai
Adhomai, the primary planet held by the Tajaran people, is located in the S'rand'marr system. Beset until very recently by an apocalyptic climate event, the Tajaran people have struggled to survive on the planet's icy surface. Multiple interested parties, including Governmental coalitions and several corporations, have come to Adhomai's aid in the relatively recent past. Which groups have come altruistically, and which have ulterior motives, is yet to be determined.
Loam
Little is known about the fabled homeworld of the Alraune. The sole inhabited planet in the Argil system, human settlers first landing on Loam met with disaster when it was discovered that the lush world was teeming with something a little more exotic than xenoflora. Loam is a true Garden World, silent and peaceful. Inhabited by the Alraune - living, carnivorous plants - Loam has since been welcomed into the Galactic community, and its denizens have spread out to become commonplace among the stars. Unique and beautiful, Loam is infrequently visited by tourists, as strict regulations prevent the establishment of artificial structures or the careless disposal of garbage. (WIP)
Sanctum & Infernum
Located in the Daedal system, the twin planets Sanctum and Infernum are the homeworlds of the Auril and Dremachir, a curious divergent species. (WIP)
Scaena Globus
Through some strange happenstance, Scaena Globus' original name is lost to time. Informally known across the Galaxy as "Clown Planet" or "Mime Planet" - depending on which side you're on - Scaena Globus boasts the premier colleges for both Clowning and Miming. What is less frequently advertised is the border war waged by these two "colleges", which have long since become functional governments of their own. Tourism to Scaena Globus has long since declined, and the only arrivals are fresh recruits for either side of the decades-long conflict. As the only known source of the rare material Vaudium, it is known that NanoTrasen funds both sides of the conflict, eager to retain a friendly relationship with whichever side is currently on top.
KT-943 "Surt"
One of NanoTrasen's holdings, acquired late into the Phoron War, KT-943 remains one of the Megacorporation's most bountiful mining operations. Originally home to several mining colonies, the conclusion of the War resulted in gradual downsizing and deprioritization of operations on Surt, until at last it was remanded to less industrial exploitation. A bevy of interesting archaeological finds, and the exhibition of anomalous phenomena post-Awakening, has led to NanoTrasen's continued restriction of access to the system in which KT-943 is located.
Virgo 3b
Located in the Skrell-owned Vir system, right on the edge of Frontier space, Virgo 3b is relatively unimportant on the galactic scale. Purchased by NanoTrasen near the end of the Phoron War, Virgo 3b is a moon orbiting the gas giant Virgo 3b. Notable for its atmosphere, which is composed almost entirely of gaseous phoron, Virgo 3b was originally utilized by NanoTrasen as a research black site and covert refueling station. Plans to construct a space elevator were funded without question, revealing just how valuable NanoTrasen considered the asset to be. Designed to ferry phoron gas up, and supplies and personnel back down, the Tether Facility never expanded to its full industrial scale, thanks to the conclusion of the Phoron War. NanoTrasen maintains the facility - and its adjacent colony - to this day. Even though access to Phoron is no longer heavily restricted, NanoTrasen remains at the forefront of the field, and Virgo 3b provides the company with a virtually limitless supply of research material.
Notable Stations or Systems
Sometimes a System is not simply notable for a single planet or heavenly body. Whether it's a relatively empty, asteroid dense zone where a major manufacturing station is, or a popular trade hub, even a significant enough Station can reach notability on the Galactic level.
NTS Creon
Based in the heavily fortified Thebes system, NTS Creon' is the Corporate Headquarters of NanoTrasen. Situated deep in frontier space, Creon oversees the immense logistical behemoth that is NanoTrasen with the cold efficiency of the Galaxy's premier Megacorporation. Assailed only three times over the duration of the Phoron War, the Thebes system remains heavily militarized, patrolled by NanoTrasen fleet groups and trained assets. Although the War is over, and fresh paint has long since hidden the scoring marks lashed into Creon's hull, it is clear that NanoTrasen stands prepared to defend its holdings.
O'Del
O'Del is a galactic curiosity. While not formally inhabited or owned by the Vox, it is considered a Vox system by all other Galactic parties. This is almost certainly due with the system's constant inhabitation by the fabled Vox Arkships. Famous as a trade hub where nearly anything can be purchased by the discerning - and alert - buyer, O'Del is not often visited by the inhabitants of civilized space. Frontiersmen and less scrupulous traders make up the bulk of the Vox clientele, trading in selling in black market weaponry, stolen Megacorp tech, and flesh - both living and dead.
Notable Galactic Phenomena and Wonders
From famous stellar landmarks often photographed on Earth, to ancient and unknowable mysteries, some landmarks across the Galaxy transcend simple cartography and become Wonders and phenomena all their own.
An Organism Teeming With Storied and Harmonious Life
One of, if not the largest Dionea Thickets, An Organism Teeming With Storied and Harmonious Life is a Dyson Sphere nearing thirty percent completion. Dionea from all across the Galaxy claim to have originated from this Thicket, and just as many are constantly migrating back to integrate into it. Although the ultimate purpose of this construct is unknown, the Galactic consensus is that its majesty is unparalleled. Appearing for all intents and purposes to be a dry, thorny hedge the size of a star, it is consistently listed as one of the top three Galactic Wonders.
The Galactic Exclusion Zone
Where glimmering nebulae and xenos superstructures are vastly appreciated, the Galactic Exclusion Zone is rightly feared. To describe the Exclusion Zone as 'poisoned' would be inaccurate. As it stands, no extant Galactic Civilization can accurately determine what the Zone is. Probing by surveyors has confirmed that stable Hyperlanes into the Zone exist, and that directed Bluespace jumps are possible. However, no vessel or probe has ever returned from within the boundaries of the Zone. Whether these machines are destroyed upon entry, or somehow simply become unable to return is unknown. Entering the Zone is considered suicide across the Galaxy, and there have been no known instances of anything entering or exiting the area. Deep-Resonance Scans, directed topographical beam nets, multi-spectrum radio arrays, and primitive telescopes fail to register any signs of life from within the Zone, even when it should be impossible not to detect them - vessels which travel at impulse past the barrier vanish from scanners and visual observation after a brief, random period of time. Although it is illegal to enter the Galactic Exclusion Zone, no organization patrols the zone to deter transit - it is deemed unnecessary.
Lore
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Corporations | NanoTrasen, Frontier Megacorporations, Minor Corporations, The Syndicate |
NanoTrasen Specific | NDV Marksman, Paracausal Monitoring Division |
Other Organizations | ITV Talon, System Defense Force, The Orion Confederation |
Worldbuilding | Extradimensional Mechanics, FTL Travel, Galactic Landmarks, Legends, Mysteries, and Rumors, Metaphysics and Paracausality, Technology of the 2500's, The Timeline |
Contribution Data | Lore Submission Templates, Roadmap for Lore Development |