Known Worlds

The Known Worlds comprise the bulk of explored space, defined as The Unity Earth Sphere Alliance. The term was first put forth by Uther during the Golden Age as a way to describe all that had been explored. Though a clear definition of what constituted the known worlds would not be created in his lifetime, Uther is credited with the vision to map and establish it.

Types of Worlds

Within the Multi-Verse exist two types of dimensions: Flat and Finite.

Flat Dimensions

Flat words are, quite literally, flat. Large, rocky worlds that are not planets in the traditional sense. Arindell and its famous library are located on one such world. These worlds cannot be reached by space travel, and their ends can often be walked to. Some flat worlds have literal "ends" with cliffs that can be looked over (or infidels thrown over), while others have a repeating horizon. Exploration has proven that although the atmosphere attenuates at higher altitudes, gravity does not.

Finite Dimensions

Finite dimensions include planets, stars, and even multiple galaxies. They are spherical and divided by membraneous barriers identified as "aether". Ripples within the either form 'reflections' resembling distant starlight/gravity/radio-waves/cosmic radiation, which (accompanied by space-bourne particles, earlier emitted by stars etc.) then bounce back and forth across the whole dimension, creating more and deeper reflections. Through a telescope, this creates the illusion of an infinite or near-infinite universe.

Pocket Dimension

Essentially a very small finite dimension; may be completely empty or include a handful of stars and planets.

Division of Real Estate

Geographically by area, Gudersnipe and the Alliance jointly control around 30% of the Known Worlds in an area known as Joint Space, with each side also controlling an additional 10% individually. Thus the two powers comprise over 50% of explored space. Another 25% is comprised of statistically insignificantly-sized governments with no mutual affiliations and not a part of the Alliance or under the protection of Gudersnipe (Read: nobody controls them). M’KHara alone comprises 10%, and the mapped regions of Kamian space represent 5%. The other 15% belongs to the Elves and the Dwarves, though limited interaction between them and humans, coupled with difficulty converting units of measure, has led to a marked lack of understanding in the exact size of the Elven and Dwarven domains. Their lands lie on the outskirts of the Known Worlds and may, if political winds allow for full exploration, eventually double or triple the Known Worlds. It is also important to note that the full scale of Kamian space is unknown, and based on conservative estimates may add an additional 10-20% if and when accurate charting can be performed.

Beyond the Known Worlds

Beyond the Known Worlds lies an uncharted vastness of dimensions, imaginatively identified as ‘The Unknown.’

A statistically insignificant portion of the Unknown has been explored remotely by unmanned GS probes, with manned missions advancing the frontiers constantly. Additionally, numerous Freelancer ships have ventured beyond the fringes of explored space and returned, often with wild tales. Still other ships have never come back; they are presumed missing and probably on a beach somewhere.