the azurian divide
The Azurian Divide is an expanse of mostly empty space that marks
the closest point between the Anvil and Corkscrew galaxies. The expanse also
includes a scattering of far-flung star systems on the edges of both galaxies
and the massive Orsini Crucible, an enormous nebula
jutting partially out of the Anvil galaxy in the process of giving birth to a
prodigious number of new stars.
The route
is one of the less sophisticated routes between the two galaxies, of which
there are several, because it requires actually passing through the great
expanse between galaxies, a trip that can take two weeks with the more common
FTL drive systems. The two other major routes, Xanathon's
Crossing and the Corribian Jump, utilize blackhole travel. In the case of the Corribian
Jump the entry and exit points are nowhere even near the edge of either of the
two galaxies.
Still,
there are several factors that make the Divide worthy of attention. First, it
is the domain of the legendary Markette Treasure Planets, five legendary
planets supposedly loaded with the spoils of the fallen Markette Empire, an
ancient collective of about 50 star systems that fell more than 10,000 years
ago. Second, it is a convenient crossing point for traders, runners, and other
characters that don't want their passing marked along the two other heavily
trafficked and monitored routes. Third, while the Corkscrew Galaxy portion
abutting the Divide is entirely CCW-dominated, the Anvil galaxy side of the
divide contains part of the border between the Transgalactic Empire and the
CCW, with a band of scattered, mostly independent star systems about 120 light
years wide in between. Finally, the area is of scientific interest to some due
to the seething cauldron of the Orsini Crucible, the
ruins of the Markette Empire, and other regional phenomena.
The
Markette Treasure Planets are part of a long-told tale that has helped many a
spacer put their offspring to sleep. Many considered it as folly up until 100
years ago, when one of the treasure planets, Yarsia
in the Orsini Eridnae
binary star system, was discovered some 80 years ago. If one exists, many
believe, the other four can't be too far away.
The
treasure planets were the storehouses of the riches of the Markette Empire. For
about 800 years it dominated the local star group but the center of its power
was focused on the Anvil galaxy side of the divide. There were five treasure
planets, four of them believed to hold unheard of natural mineral wealth and
gem deposits of outrageous supply.
If Yarsia is any indication, the legends are very true. Yarsia not only had huge deposits of crystalline Baronium (naturally-created molecular spherical material
used to make virtually frictionless lubricants for almost all the Three
Galaxies machinery), but it also is known for being the largest source of
platinum ever found in once place. Indeed, at the planet's initial discovery, a
survey crew found and sold a chunk of platinum eight feet long by four feet
wide and roughly two and a half feet thick. The massive slab decimated the
platinum market for five years as rumors ran wild that the planet was made of
the stuff. However, that appears to have been a lucky strike, but the platinum
mines still produce more than any eight average planets.
While
four of the planets held natural treasures, one planet was rumored to be
artificial and the actual storehouse for the spoils of the Markette Empire.
There are several rumors about the Great Storehouse that have been persistent
over a thousand years. One is that it was
a giant space station with a number of massive vaults guarded by an army of
eternally loyal robot guards. Another is that it was literally a planet-sized
space station disguised to look like a planet. There is also a third rumor that
it is not a planet, but indeed a Dyson Sphere (a hollow sphere constructed to
entirely surround a star) placed in the heart of the Orsini
Crucible, where it is almost impossible to find. Most scholars, however, seem
to believe that the treasure was sold off to arm the Markette Empire during its
tumultuous fall from power.
Remnants
of the culture still can be found in ancient ruins dotting planets and moons,
and rusting hulks adrift for thousands of years in space. Markette artifacts
themselves bring a nice price. The find of new ruins, an old Markette destroyer
adrift in space, or an old log recorder that might give a hint to the location
of one of the Treasure Planets are all enough to net someone a comfortable life
on one of the Utopia planets. That, and the
platinum-coated, fat coffers of the Prospector Queen of Yarsia,
keep adventurers, explorers, spies and others coming to or through the Azurian Divide.
The Orsini Crucible itself is a massive blue cloud covering an
area 1,400 light-years in diameter, with a tendril that juts out 400
light-years toward the Corkscrew galaxy. Scientists have discovered that the nebula
was formed when three blue super giants (the largest and brightest stars known)
forming a trinary system exploded perhaps half a
billion years ago or more. Apparently one of the stars went supernova, causing
a chain reaction in the other two with a force so powerful it literally blew
out a nearby yellow dwarf and sent it spinning into the space between galaxies.
A bringer
of both death and life, like all nebulas, it is believed that matter expelled
from the nebula interacted with at least three planets in the region, giving
them the necessary chemical compounds for life. In fact, the Markandi, the primary race behind the Markette Empire,
believed that their Gods fell from the nebula and that they were their
descendents, destined to reclaim the stars.
The
Markette Empire is a scientific curiosity almost as great as the nebula. Beyond
the stories of the Great Storehouse and other Treasure Planets, and the
Empire's legendary decadent excesses, there is another great story. Nobody is
sure exactly how the Markette Empire fell.
By all
accounts it was in its heyday at the time of its fall. It was exceedingly
decadent, and its wealthy citizens, an attractive green-skinned, hairless
humanoid species, lived a life of luxury. The Markandi
were known for being dabblers in magic and genetic modification and were on the
cusp of branching into interdimensional travel,
according to legends. Then, they appear to have had a war with an unknown,
possibly extragalactic, enemy and both they and their enemy disappeared.
Several
theories exist as to what happened to the Markette Empire, none of which have
ever been proven. They include the following:
* The
Markette Empire released a biological agent that destroyed their enemies, but
one that mutated and destroyed themselves as well.
* Their
enemy was from beyond an interdimensional portal, and
the Markette not only forced them through it, but also followed them and now
rule a vast empire where all the streets are paved in gold in a dimension of
riches and pleasure.
*Their
enemies completely ravaged the Markette Empire and killed or enslaved every
single individual in it, then having their fill of blood and war, and not
caring about the empire's riches, went back to whence they came.
* The
Markette Empire fled toward the Core and their enemies plundered their empire
and fled into the vastness between galaxies.
* The
Cosmic Forge, so disgusted with the excesses of the Empire's decadent
lifestyle, purged the universe of their presence. There was no war.
*The
Markette fell in a civil war that utilized primitive and horrific rift weapons
that teleported entire planetary populations into limbo. That is why there is
no evidence of them or their weapons. Ghost World was the result of a Markette
experiment.
These are
the prevailing theories, and there are dozens of others, always changing and
mutating with new information. Nobody knows the truth for sure.
On top of
all these other factors the region is a simmering pot of "cold war"
hostilities between the Transgalactic Empire, the Consortium of Civilized
Worlds and independent systems caught in the middle of two great powers vying
for the most influence.
Across
the divide is a much calmer situation. The majority of systems are controlled
by the CCW. And one system, Ressiter, is home to the
CAF Third Fleet, one of four fleets in charge of defense of the Three Galaxies.
The recent incursions by the Necrons and the legends
that an extragalactic civilization destroyed the Markette, as well as the
strategic position of the Divide all contributed to the CCW placing its Third
Fleet at Ressiter, an orderly, ideal CCW star system.
The
system of Ferroud, however, an independent star
system run by a mysterious owner, is a different story. It is cast just a bit
out of the Corkscrew galaxy toward the Anvil galaxy, about 115 light years from
any other inhabited star system. It is considered the last stop before ships
cross the Divide. It is known as a thriving supply depot for runners and
merchants, a way station for criminals attempting to escape to the relative
obscurity of the Anvil galaxy, and a place where just about anything that can
be desired can be bought.
Outside
of Ferroud, the star group is calm, orderly, and
civilized. However, it is not a dull place. Several recent skirmishes in the
area have erupted between CCW ships and the Necrons,
a race of beings who shun inorganic technology for unique organic equivalents.
The region is also a hotbed of smuggling and piracy as runners fight hard to
sneak shipments of high-tariff goods through CCW territory into the heart of
the Corkscrew Galaxy, and pirates try just as hard to rob them and legitimate
cargo ships.
It all
adds up to a rough-and-tumble exciting section of space where fantasies are
realized and dreams die, fortunes are made and lost and life is short amidst
mysteries that span eons!
Explore the Azurian Divide!
