Lore and History: The Divide’s Past

Ancient Beginnings

Before the Core Worlds rose to dominance, the galaxy was a sprawling patchwork of civilizations. Ancient empires, such as the Xarthen Dominion and the Irixal Consortium, thrived millennia ago, mastering technologies and psychic phenomena far beyond modern understanding. These early powers shaped the galaxy’s foundations, seeding planets with advanced infrastructure, cultural relics, and mysterious psychic nexuses.

The Era of Expansion

Thousands of years later, humanity and allied species entered the scene, propelled by the discovery of Drift Travel and advances in psychic capabilities. This era, known as the Golden Expansion, saw explorers and settlers chart the stars, establishing colonies on distant worlds. The Core Systems emerged as hubs of governance, technology, and trade, while the Fringe grew from isolated outposts into thriving, albeit self-reliant, communities.

The Core Worlds: Heart of Civilization

The Core Worlds stand as the pinnacle of galactic prosperity, a shining example of what centralized power and advanced technology can achieve. These systems are characterized by their sprawling megacities, cutting-edge infrastructure, and thriving economies. Towering arcologies and bustling starports dominate the urban landscapes, while interstellar trade routes connect them in a web of constant activity.

Governance in the Core is handled by the Galactic Union, a sprawling bureaucratic entity that oversees laws, diplomacy, and military operations. However, the Union’s policies are heavily influenced by the powerful corporations and aristocratic elites that hold sway in the Core. Chief among these is Takashiro Dynamics, whose financial empire touches every corner of galactic commerce. While the Union preaches equality, its actions often prioritize the Core’s stability and wealth over the needs of the galaxy at large.

Culturally, the Core is a melting pot of species, philosophies, and artistic achievements. Renowned universities and research institutes push the boundaries of knowledge, particularly in fields like Drift mechanics and psychic phenomena. Entertainment industries thrive, producing holo-dramas, virtual reality experiences, and galactic sports leagues that captivate audiences far beyond the Core.

Despite its splendor, the Core’s obsession with progress and order comes at a cost. Its leaders often dismiss the struggles of the Fringe as minor inconveniences, and its citizens—accustomed to their privileges—rarely question the exploitation that sustains their lifestyles. This indifference fosters resentment, fueling the growing divide between the Core and the rest of the galaxy.

The Collapse of Empires

Not all was harmonious. Greedy Core governments and mega-corporations overextended their resources, sparking devastating wars and economic crashes. The Collapse brought ruin to countless systems, leaving the Fringe to weather the fallout alone. The Core began consolidating its power, abandoning less profitable systems and focusing its resources inward. This marked the beginning of the Divide, as the Core’s wealth grew while the Fringe’s infrastructure crumbled.

The Gap

A defining moment in galactic history is the enigmatic Gap: a mysterious, galaxy-wide amnesia that erased vast portions of recorded history. No one remembers exactly when or how it occurred, but its effects were catastrophic. Archives vanished, psychic artifacts activated unpredictably, and entire civilizations disappeared.

The Core, with its advanced resources, partially recovered from the Gap’s aftermath, reestablishing control and rewriting history in its favor. The Fringe, however, was plunged into chaos. Many systems regressed technologically, and others were entirely forgotten, only to be rediscovered centuries later as ruined husks or strange, alien worlds.

Modern Era: The Divide Solidifies

In the centuries following the Gap, the Galactic Union arose as the dominant governing body in the Core. While it claims to represent all systems, its bureaucracy and policies overwhelmingly favor the wealthy Core Worlds. The Fringe Systems, now largely neglected, became a lawless frontier where pirate syndicates, warlords, and struggling colonies vie for survival.

Corporate powers like Takashiro Dynamics exploit the Divide, extracting resources from the Fringe while suppressing uprisings with private armies. Fringe groups, such as the rebel coalition Broken Chain and the militaristic Vanguard Reborn, challenge this exploitation, seeking freedom through rebellion or force.

The Psychic Legacy

Among the remnants of the Gap are countless psychic phenomena—artifacts, anomalies, and abilities that defy explanation. Core scientists study these phenomena under strict control, while the Fringe sees them as both a blessing and a curse. Some believe these relics hold the key to understanding the Gap, while others see them as a threat capable of tearing the galaxy apart again.

A Divided Galaxy

Today, the galaxy is a fractured realm, with the Core continuing to thrive at the expense of the Fringe. Tensions simmer as rebel factions, disillusioned settlers, and opportunistic warlords fight for control. The legacy of ancient empires, the mysteries of the Gap, and the lure of untapped psychic potential ensure that the galaxy remains a place of endless adventure, danger, and discovery.