Roanoke Zone

The Roanoke Zone is the name given to a large region of space located to the galactic south of the Sol System. During the mass colonisation efforts of humanity in the early 22nd Century, many ships and settlers were sent to this area, becoming home to many people. However, during the ensuing chaos of the Ares Conflict, many of these worlds, reliant on trade and support from the core worlds, collapsed and lost contact with the greater human community. In the many years since, only a few worlds have made contact with the United Systems of Sol, with the mission of searching the countless worlds of the region for signs of human life being considered a Sisyphean task.
It is close to the Hydra Sector, a region on the very edge of human space, stretching far into the galactic south. No human explorer has returned from this sector without tall tales of great monsters and riches. It is speculated that many uncontacted species inhabit this region.

Systems

The Roanoke Zone is comprised of 56 systems, each divided into different regions within the Zone. These are divisions on cultural and political boundaries, as despite the Roanoke Zone's relative isolation and decline, it is still home to countless people and political beliefs.

Tartarus Free Trade Zone

The Tartarus Free Trade Zone is a region that lies geographically within Roanoke, but has closer cultural and economic ties to Sol. It is a region of eight stars, bound together by a political and economic union. Tartarus was first colonised in 2236, five years after the founding of the United Nations of Sol and seventeen years after the Great Dyings  swept through the region. As a result, Tartarus never suffered the devastating effects of the period, and hit the ground running. Between 2255 and 2270, the Tartarus Republic took out bigger and bigger debts with various Sol Corporations, who took advantage of the system's exotic resources. In 2279, the Tartarus Republic's government was overthrown and replaced with Pro-Sol and Pro-Corporate leaders, giving rise to the period of government insultingly termed by its enemies as the New Banana Republic. It led to the Foundry War between Tartarus and the Brae Commonwealth, with Tartarus gaining the systems of Sinclaise and Hedan from the Commonwealth. This corrupt regime ruled over the region until the height of the Serajji Conflict, during a time when Sol was distracted and unable to assist them. The Tartarus Revolution took place between 2294 and 2296, leading to a regime change and the establishment of the modern Free Trade Zone.

Neutral Zone

The Neutral Zone is a region of four stars that lie directly on the borders of the United Nations of Sol, Tartarus, and the Fregherikan Democratic Republic. Historically, this region has been underdeveloped and ignored for colonisation. This changed in the mid 2240s, as Sol emerged from its shell and began to establish itself on the galactic stage. However as it lies outside of Sol's direct control, it has become a hotbed of smuggling and piracy. This has only increased after the Seventeen Days of Tyranny on Katu, which took place in 2299 and saw the establishment of a military dictatorship that remains to the modern day. Since then, Sol influence in the region has declined significantly, with far greater issues taking precedent. This has led to a comfortable class of outcasts, criminals, and Sol undesirables living within the systems of the Neutral Zone.

Southern Sol Expanse

The Southern Sol Expanse is a region of four stars that lies close to the border of Sol. These stars all have some tenuous connection to Sol, settled during the early 2280s. Their status as anything but colonies has never been further established, semi-independent and largely reliant on Sol goods. When Sol's attention was focused on the Serajji Conflict, much of the region suffered decline, most notably the Levara System, which fell into civil war in 2295, which continues to the modern day. The Parslevian Struggle has attracted the attention of Sol, the Amarani Confederation, and the Oxokulumab Federation, with each side supporting various factions at play.

Enderysin United Communes

The Enderysin United Communes is a minor region of the greater Roanoke Zone, and a collection of united planets of a shared cultural identity. It is bordered by Avartina to the galactic south-east, the Tartarus Free Trade Zone to the north via the Roanoke Road, to the east by the Neutral Zone, and to the west by the Baohat Free State.
The planets of the Enderysin were first colonised during the early years of the First Solar Republic, who like others in this region suffered harshly during the War In The Heavens and the complete collapse of trade that followed. It, like so many other planets, succumbed to the Great Dyings that left fledgling colonies completely cut off from Sol and left alone in the void, and only began to recover after the collapse of the Wunai Empire in 2242. The first form of unified government in Enderysin was the Enderysin Matriarchy, which helped to lead its people out of chaos. While the Matriarchy would collapse following the War of Sisters (2260-2265), it left a profound effect on the Enderysin people, who formed the United Communes in 2271. The Enderysin People are heavily influenced by the Great Dying and the years following it. They have adapted into a warrior culture, led by strong matriarchal clans. While they are no longer dominated politically by these families and tribes, their influence has only increased in the years following the adoption of a proper state structure.
Enderysin has ties to Sol, and took part in the Second League War against the League of Six Planets.

League of Six Planets

Avartina

Avartina is a region of the greater Roanoke Zone, and lies far to the south on the border between the Oxokulumab Federation and the Hydra Sector. Avartina is not united by any political or economic treaties, lying devoid of any long-term regional power structure. Instead, this region is united by a shared Avartine identity, heavily religious and deeply influenced by the region's history. Avartina is named for Avaria, the defacto capital planet in the area, which lies in orbit around Ava's Star. Avartina was first settled by the Children of Elysia, a martian cult led by their prophet Ava Sarahelli, who established the short-lived Empire of Ava which extended to the modern day Avartina borders. While the Empire collapsed following her death, the religious institution she founded remains, and is one of the only surviving relic of that time period, beyond impressive ruins dotting the planets in the region. Most outside of Avartina forgot Sarahelli even existed, assuming her Empire to be nothing more than myth, until her Tomb was rediscovered by archaeologists in the late 90s.

Baohat Free State

The Baohat Free State is a collection of four stars, previously part of the East Roanoke Confederation and the historic core worlds of the brief Wunai Empire. It, like most other systems this deep in the Roanoke Zone, suffered heavily during the Great Dyings  and the ensuing chaos. It is only after the founding of the East Roanoke Confederation in 2280 that this region regained connection with Sol.
The Baohat Free State declared its independence from East Roanoke during the Food Crisis that followed the Serajj Conflict. However, following the Second League War, Baohat has lacked the means to fully enforce its law throughout its systems.

East Roanoke Confederation

The East Roanoke Confederation gives the Roanoke Zone its name.

Bayt Jadeed

Argodis

Argodis is a region of Human space, deep within the Roanoke Zone. It is an alliance of six star systems, lying close to the Hydra Sector. These planets are some of the furthest settled by humans, and some of its most isolated. While it has some trading links to the Oxokulumab Federation, it is mostly left to itself. Argodis is only semi self-sufficient, with each planet requiring something from the others. This has created a somewhat stable trading system between them, but with little room for expansion or unification. There is no system of government binding these systems together, only a basic political and economic alliance.

History