The Galactic Map as of 2400

In the aftermath of World War III, the establishment of the Codex in the year 2201 marked a new era for humanity, uniting factions under the Galactic Assembly. With Earth as the point of origin, each faction was granted a specific region of space to explore, colonize, and govern under the guiding principles of the Codex. The Galactic Assembly serves as judge and jury, upholding the Codex and ensuring peace among the stars.

The Galactic Assembly

At the heart of the known galaxy lies Earth, the seat of power for the Galactic Assembly. The Solar system, also known as Sol, is home to numerous terraformed and inhabited worlds, with a total population nearing 20 billion. Key infrastructure facilities, such as the renowned Gaia Shipyard, support the Assembly Fleet's operations, making Sol the backbone of interstellar logistics and defense.

In accordance with the Codex, a number of other strategically vital systems are under the direct governance of the Galactic Assembly:

• Sol
• Alpha Centauri
• Tau Ceti
• Epsilon Eridani
• Vega
• Nyxarion
• Kepler
• Lycoris

These core systems form the heart of Assembly-controlled space. Visitors are welcome, but the Galactic Assembly maintains strict governance and security in these areas. Large fleets regularly patrol and secure the core, ensuring peace and stability. Beyond the galactic core, Assembly fleets provide security only upon request or in times of necessity.

The Russian Conglomerate

To the galactic north lies the Russian Conglomerate, a faction headquartered on the planet Petersburg. Known for its resource-rich territory, the Conglomerate controls vast reserves of Titanite, a prized material essential for heavy armor production across the galaxy. This abundance allows the Conglomerate navy to deploy large, heavily armored warships that can endure extended engagements. While these ships may lack the advanced weaponry of other factions, the Conglomerate compensates with sheer numbers and resilience, utilizing its robust fleets to stand toe-to-toe with rival powers.

The Conglomerate is renowned for its isolationist policies, often remaining aloof from galactic affairs unless they align with the Conglomerate's interests. This desire for autonomy has limited other factions' insight into the true extent of its capabilities. Many speculate that the Conglomerate’s full strength remains hidden, and only glimpses of its power have been revealed to the galaxy at large.

The Conglomerate’s territory is naturally dense with hyperspace lanes, enabling rapid inter-system travel and reinforcing its strategic hold on the region. These lanes grant Conglomerate fleets a significant advantage in mobility, allowing for swift response times across their space.

Key systems within the Conglomerate’s domain include:

• Petersburg System (Capital)
• Moscow System
• Novosibirsk System
• Kazan System
• Samara System
• Ufa System
• Omsk System
• Volgograd System
• Perm System
• Krasnodar System

The French Star Union

To the galactic northeast of the core systems lies the French Star Union, a resilient faction with its capital in the Marseilles system, a densely populated hub nestled deep within Star Union territory. Following the devastating loss of New Paris during World War III, the Star Union was pushed to the brink of annihilation, facing greater adversity than many other factions. Through a combination of diplomatic prowess and strategic alliances with outer planets, the Star Union managed to rebuild and regain its strength.

Since those early days, the Star Union has flourished, leveraging its diplomatic skills and alliances to further its galactic agenda. The Union believes in the philosophy that form should follow function, and their warships embody this doctrine. Elegant and visually striking, these ships are well-balanced and adaptable, though they lack specific advantages when compared to the specialized vessels of other factions.

The French Star Union controls a long, narrow stretch of space, strategically fortified with beachhead planets positioned along its borders. These heavily defended and garrisoned systems act as formidable deterrents to any potential invaders, allowing the Union to focus resources on more peaceful and progressive endeavors across its core worlds.

Key systems within the Star Union include:

• Marseilles System (Capital)
• Paris System
• Lyon System
• Toulouse System
• Bordeaux System
• Nantes System
• Strasbourg System
• Nice System
• Montpellier System
• Lille System

The United Coalition

Located to the galactic southeast of the core systems, the United Coalition holds its center of military and political power on Planet Manhattan within the New York System. Historically, the Coalition was a driving force behind the creation of the Galactic Assembly, fostering close ties between the two entities. However, over the centuries since the Assembly’s founding, the Coalition has grown increasingly independent, and rumors of dissent have emerged among its leadership.

Fortunate to receive a highly resource-rich region from Earth, the Coalition has ample access to colonizable systems. However, hyperspace travel within Coalition territory presents a challenge, as only a single major hyperspace route connects its key systems, limiting rapid movement across its expanse.

Coalition warships are built with a focus on heavy firepower. Lacking significant reserves of Titanite, Coalition vessels are lightly armored compared to their counterparts in other factions, relying instead on swift, powerful strikes to overwhelm targets quickly. These ships excel at aggressive combat tactics, prioritizing offense over defense.

The Alaska System stands out as an enigma within Coalition space; a high-security system restricted to only the Coalition navy's most elite officers. With just one jump point granting access, the system is heavily protected by extensive minefields. No member of the Assembly or other faction has ever set foot there, and little is known about the activities that unfold within this concealed stronghold.

Key systems within the Coalition’s domain include:

• New York System (Capital)
• Washington System
• Florida System
• California System
• Texas System
• Georgia System
• Alaska System
• Colorado System
• Ohio System
• Missouri System

The British Territory

To the galactic southwest of the core systems lies the British Territory, a faction governed by a constitutional monarchy residing on planet Buckingham within the Oxford System. Though relatively small, this area of the galaxy is densely populated and strategically significant. When the Eastern League re-emerged in 2402, the British Territory became the gateway to the League’s connecting systems— or so the galaxy believed.

Renowned for its extensive scientific expertise, the British Territory has made significant contributions to the Assembly’s knowledge base. Many leading scientists within the Assembly began their education within the British system. This scientific legacy has influenced all facets of society, resulting in some of the most advanced planetary systems outside of Earth.

The British Territory has long held a prominent position within the galaxy, maintaining a fleet of highly advanced warships, second only to the Assembly. These forces are led by expertly trained captains, and the Territory’s military strategy emphasizes quality over quantity.

British warships typically operate in coordinated task forces, rarely deploying individual vessels unless absolutely necessary. This strategic approach allows the British Territory to protect its resources and minimize exposure to risk, prioritizing caution and resilience in all military engagements.

Key systems within the British Territory include:

• Oxford System (Capital)
• Keynes System
• Edinburgh System
• Cardiff System
• Belfast System
• Dublin System
• Manchester System
• Birmingham System
• Portsmouth System
• Bristol System

The German Association

Located to the galactic northwest of the core systems, the German Association is a faction with a unique approach to governance. Unlike most factions, which established a home system as a base of power, the Association opted for a more mobile strategy. They commissioned a colossal vessel to serve as their political and military headquarters, creating a mobile citadel that remains the largest structure ever constructed by humanity. Housing tens of thousands of the Association’s leadership, this vessel travels accompanied by the elite Home Naval Group, led by the flagship GAC ODIN.

This dedication to durability and redundancy extends to all facets of Association society, where every system is meticulously engineered for maximum resilience. This philosophy is also evident in their ship designs which prioritize robustness and longevity. The Association’s reputation for over-engineering reflects its commitment to stability and security.

Interestingly, the German Association is the only faction with a favorable diplomatic relationship with the Russian Conglomerate, collaborating on joint operations during the 24th century to maintain peace with their northern neighbors. This alliance stands as a testament to the Association's diplomatic pragmatism and influence in the galaxy.

Key systems within the Association’s domain include:

• Frankfurt System
• Munich System
• Berlin System
• Hamburg System
• Cologne System
• Hanover System
• Leipzig System
• Dortmund System
• Stuttgart System
• Düsseldorf System

The Eastern League

Located on the galactic periphery, the Eastern League was long believed to have vanished following the end of World War III, as they were the instigators of that global conflict. Their unexpected emergence in 2402 shattered this assumption, revealing a faction that had quietly flourished beyond the known galaxy.

The League’s home system, Sonnara, is a rare gem, a one-in-a-million system filled with numerous Goldilocks planets perfect for colonization. Capitalizing on this natural bounty, the League established edicts to rapidly grow its population and build a powerful new empire. This ushered the faction into a golden age of prosperity, concealed from the rest of the galaxy as they awaited an opportune moment to return. It remains uncertain whether Sonnara is the League’s only stronghold, since much about this faction remains cloaked in mystery. Their reemergence, however, will trigger one of the greatest upheavals in galactic history.

Due to the scarcity of resources, the League enforces a zero-waste policy, a principle reflected in their warship designs. Nothing unnecessary is included on their vessels, resulting in ships that resemble skeletal frameworks rather than the over-engineered constructs of other factions. The League’s modular, asymmetric ship designs allow for unmatched flexibility within their fleet, a hallmark of their strategic approach.

Key systems within the League’s territory include:

• Sonnara System (Capital)
• Singapore System
• Tokyo System
• Shanghai System
• Beijing System
• Manila System
• Kyoto System
• Bangkok System
• Osaka System
• Seoul System