The Galaxy is the setting for Star Wars: The Valkyrie Cycle.
Regions of the Galaxy
Throughout the galaxy's history, it has been mapped and organized a number of different ways. However, the predominant method of describing galactic regions is one used by the Galactic Republic, which subdivides the galaxy into concentric rings of territory moving out from the galactic center. Traveling across the galaxy requires faster-than-light capabilities such as hyperdrives, and most travelers make use of extensive networks of hyperlanes.
The Deep Core
The very center of the galaxy is called the Deep Core. Its nature as a region densely-packed with stars, nebulae, and black holes has long made exploring it a dangerous proposition. The speed at which various astronomical bodies orbit the center of the galaxy means stable hyperlanes are few in number and always short-lived.
These obstacles to easy travel mean that few interstellar civilizations called the Deep Core home, though many scholars have made the case for Tython as the site of the first Jedi temple. The Galactic Empire maintained a Deep Core Security Zone, which protected a number of research installations and sites of personal interest to Emperor Palpatine.
Core Worlds
The area of space around the Deep Core is known as the Core worlds and has been seen as the heart of most galactic civilizations. Coruscant in the Core worlds was the capital of the Old Republic, the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Empire, and the First Order. Under these governments, the Core enjoyed a reputation as the center of society, leading to many stereotypes around its denizens being snobby and rich.
The convergence of all major hyperlanes make the Core worlds a hub of commerce, technology, and diplomacy, as well as a strategically important area for most interstellar militaries. This has often led to a tension between those who live in the Core and those who live out on the Rim of the galaxy.
Colonies
The Colonies consist of worlds that were historically colonized by the Core worlds, particularly just before and during the time of the Old Republic. Their location along major trade routes led to a bounty of wealth, which in turn gave them more power during their integration into galactic society. There is some tension between the Core and the Colonies—the Core views the Colonies as "new money," while the Colonies see the Core as stuck-up and slow to change—but these have rarely played a part in galactic politics.
After the fall of the Galactic Empire, the Colonies enjoyed renewed importance on the galactic stage. The New Republic sought to distance itself from the Core-centric policies of its predecessor, placing greater emphasis on the Colonies among other regions, and the remaining Old Empire moved its capital to Trantus in the Colonies.
Inner Rim
The Inner Rim was considered the frontier of galactic civilization for centuries, as it was the historical border of the Old Republic. As a result of this legacy, the Inner Rim has long enjoyed a reputation for being independent in spirit, albeit not as much in practice. Many traditional hierarchies that eventually became part of the Galactic Republic and later the Galactic Empire began as neighbors, allies, and occasional antagonists of the Old Republic in the Inner Rim.
The Galactic Civil War saw limited fighting in the Inner Rim, meaning its denizens had little exposure to the horrors of that conflict, and both the New Republic and the Old Empire relied heavily on the Inner Rim's industrial base and political clout during their times.
Expansion Region
The Expansion Region is so named due to its role following the establishment of the Galactic Republic, which saw the integration of the Inner Rim and the frontier move outwards. Republic colonies at this time were largely seen as resource grabs, which rankled many of the local governments that sought to become members of the Republic. However, the terms of membership were generally seen as mutually beneficial and allowed a greater degree of autonomy than had been seen in the Old Republic, albeit for a tradeoff in representation in the Core-centric government.
This autonomy became a point of contention centuries later during the Separatist Crisis and the Clone Wars, as many Republic worlds in the Expansion Region seceded and joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Their astrographic location put them on the front lines of the conflict, first as members of the Separatist Alliance and then as members of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. After decades of warfare, the New Republic prioritized recovery in the Expansion Region and the Mid Rim, allowing them to enjoy greater prominence in the eras that followed.
Mid Rim
The Mid Rim formed the lawful boundaries of both the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire and was composed of worlds with successful governments and thriving economies. This made them resistant to membership in the Republic, though their autonomy was partially preserved as they were absorbed into its ranks. The Mid Rim later became central to the Separatist Crisis and the Clone Wars, as the majority of Separatist worlds were located there. The Grand Army of the Republic gradually pushed the Separatist Alliance into the Outer Rim Territories, though some holdouts remained within the Mid Rim's borders. Later, this process was repeated in reverse as the Rebel Alliance and eventually the New Republic pushed back against the Empire's military presence in the region.
Following the Galactic Concordance, many Mid Rim systems joined the New Republic, forming the bulk of its population base, as well as key agricultural suppliers. However, while the Mid Rim made up the majority of Republic members, they also tended to have the greatest number of detractors, as its citizens often had conflicting ideas of what made for good governance. As such, the greatest tension of the Popularist/Centralist Crisis could be found on Mid Rim worlds.
Outer Rim
Historically considered "ungovernable," the Outer Rim Territories make up the furthest edges of the galaxy. While a population census of the region would be impossible, it's theorized that the total population of the Outer Rim is equal to the combined population of the rest of the galaxy, if not larger. This is partly due to the sheer size and number of planets that exist in the Outer Rim, but it is also believed to be the doing of the Rakatan Infinite Empire, as the Kwa technology they suborned was concentrated on the Outer Rim. While their grasp eventually covered most of the known galaxy, the prevalence of Infinity Gates kept their population, and crucially that of their slaves, focused there.
Countless numbers of civilizations, both planetary and interstellar in nature, have risen and fallen on the Outer Rim. However, no galactic government of note has ever successfully claimed and maintained control of the Outer Rim, due to the aforementioned population concerns. During the High Republic era, the Galactic Republic attempted to spread its influence into the Outer Rim but failed, largely due to a series of military conflicts and cultural blunders. The Galactic Empire, in its turn, eventually spread its military domination into the Outer Rim but never succeeded at inspiring long-term loyalty; instead, their efforts led to an increase in rebellion.
The New Republic enjoyed limited success in maintaining control over certain sections of the Outer Rim. Part of this was due to the senate's policy of changing the location of its capital every seven years, a decentralization effort that was seen as a counterpoint to previous Republic and Imperial Core sovereignty.
Unknown Regions
The Unknown Regions make up a vast, wedge-shaped area of the galaxy, running from a narrow point in the Core to its widest edge in the Outer Rim. They are so named because efforts at exploring them have been unsuccessful: the entire area is fraught with supernovae, black holes, gravity wells, and hyperspace tangles that make navigation virtually impossible. The few ships that have attempted to explore the Unknown Regions and returned describe conditions that forced them to turn back quickly. Those who forged on were lost.
Nevertheless, some species call the Unknown Regions home. The Chiss Ascendancy exists within the Unknown Regions, as do the Grysks and others. During his reign as emperor, Sheev Palpatine dedicated considerable resources to mapping and exploring the Unknown Regions, and as a result established a strategic partnership with the Chiss Ascendancy. Later, the Imperial remnant known as the First Order sheltered in the Unknown Regions and rebuilt its military strength with the help of the Chiss.
Wild Space
The term "Wild Space" has two different applications. The first refers to the unmapped, unexplored space beyond the Outer Rim. The second refers to any area within the named regions of the galaxy that has not been fully explored. In the latter case, it is possible to find Wild Space anywhere from the Core to the Outer Rim, though these are normally only explored in search of resources and materials.
With regard to the first definition, Wild Space often captures the imaginations of would-be explorers, as the promise of undiscovered wealth and civilizations beckons. However, as there is very little astrogration information regarding these areas, venturing into them can be perilous. Despite this, many believe the opportunities outweigh the risks and plunge headlong into danger.
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