Per Ardua Ad Astra
Basic information about the game.
Who is who in the Known Worlds.
A little about the game universe.
Handouts, rules and amendments unique to the campaign
Non-Player and Player characters of note.
Out of Character resources
The Known Worlds
The 'Known Worlds' consists of those worlds which have remained link by Jump-gate since the fall of the Second Republic (or have subsequently been rediscovered). The Second Republic consisted of many hundreds of worlds and whilst many records did not survive the fall, the legends persist. It is the dream of many to locate a 'Lost World' and there is a brisk trade in fake treasure maps and bogus Jump-keys.As the list of Known Worlds is somewhat long, I've grouped them according to their initial letter.
For a map of the Known Worlds and the jumproutes click here.
Absolution
Dominant Faction : Symbiotes
A largely water covered world with scattered islands and a warm climate. Compromised by the Symbiotes early in the war and now abandoned. Travel to this world is forbidden and it is not known if any humans survive on the world.
Apshai
Dominant Faction : Vau
Site of the disastrous first contact with the Vau, this world is home to the insectoid G'Nesh whose enslavement by the first human colonists lead to the Vau attacking mankind. Now a joint Human-Vau world, Apshai has a Vau enclave on the same continent as the G'Nesh settlements, a landmass forbidden to humans. This does not stop the presence of large numbers of spies hoping to gain information on the Vau. A 'mission to Apshai' is equivalent to a vacation or retirement.
Artemis
Dominant Faction : Sanctuary Aeon.
Homeworld to the Amalthean order and ruled by their brand of church law which applies to all visitors no matter whether they are noble, guilder or churchman. This is a place of pilgrimage for those in need of the best healing in the Known Worlds.
Aragon Home of House Hazat
Dominant Faction : Hazat.
Others : House Xanthippe.
Close to both Leagueheim and Byzantium-II, this world has a strong economy but a very uneven distribution of wealth. The capitol houses the Hazat Military Academy and is famed throughout space, as for different reasons, are its slums.
Aylon
Dominant faction : Al-Malik.
Formerly an Ukar colony, this is now an Al-Malik world. It is a site of pilgrimage for it is here that the Prophet returned from Unknown space with his visions for a new church. Much of this world is taken up by game and nature reserves, from which the Al-Malik make money catering to offworld hunters and travellers.
Bannockburn
Dominant Faction : The Muster Guild.
Others : The Gannok.
Head-quarters world of the Muster and homeworld of the Gannok. The world is mostly craggy highlands and mountains with broad moorlands and dotted with Ur-Ruins. The Muster co-ordinate much of their efforts against the Symbiotes and Vuldrok from Bannockburn.
Byzantium Secundus : Capitol of the Known Worlds, Imperial Throne World
Dominant Faction : The Emperor.
Healed now of many of the scars it received during the Emperor wars, almost entirely urbanised, clad in grey metal. Byzantium has embassies from every faction in the known worlds, including the Vau. Due to it's extreme level of urbanisation, BZ-II was known as "The concrete capitol".
Cadavus
Dominant Faction : House Decados.
Others : House Masseri, House Truskniron, House Xanthippe
One of the poorest worlds in the Empire, Cadavus has been invaded by practically everyone in the last few centuries and is now in the hands of the Decados. Almost all its natural resources are now depleted, it does house a number of quite ancient monasteries and the last remaining landhold of House Masseri and their Ducal court. House Truskniron maintain a ranch for the native Lyocel and there is a Xanthippe Moonhaven on one of Cadavus' satellites. The world itself is quite barren. There are a number of rebel factions fighting the Decados at any given time but their impact is played down by the House.
Cadiz
Dominant Faction : House Decados
Others : The Hironem, House Van Gelder.
Many great metroplexes were built here during the Second Republic in anticipation of this being the embassy world to the Vau. However the Vau decided that the humans could come to Vril-ya instead and the cities stand there still, now populated by the poor and disaffected. Cadiz is notable for not having been terraformed, being quite hospitable before mankind got to it.
The Hironem maintain their city surrounded by the human sprawl on one of the equatorial continents. Within their walled enclave, they live largely as they did before contact. Many study them because of apparent similarities between their society and that of the Vau. House Van Gelder administrate many of the Decados holdings on this world, living in luxury with Decados supplied servants.
Chernobog
Dominant Faction : The Symbiotes.
A jungle world, homeworld of the Symbiotes. Other than this, virtually nothing is known of the place.
Criticorum
Dominant Faction : House Al-Malik.
Others : The League, House Jundaastas.
Once considered as a possible site for the Second Republic capitol, this world is a commercial hub, bringing in much revenue for House Al-Malik. However, with commerce comes intrigue and the place does have a reputation for scheming. The League maintain a large number of industrial plants and facilities on Criticorum. House Jundaastas maintain some of the most beautiful orchards on the world and this brings in much of their house revenue. Many refugees from the Symbiotes have settled here, straining the infrastructure and creating problems in policing.
Daishan
Dominant Faction : Brothers Battle / Symbiotes.
Originally homeworld to House Masseri, the world fell rapidly to the Symbiotes until the Stigmata garrison scorched the entire planet. There is now a Brother Battle base on the worlds surface, seeking clues as to how best to combat the alien menace.
Delphi : Home of House Hawkwood.
Dominant Faction : House Hawkwood.
Others : House Justinian.
A cool and mineral rich world with vast (largely frozen) oceans. The world is very similar (albeit cooler) to Urth. House Justinian administer most of the mining concerns on Delphi.
DeMoley
Dominant Faction : Brother Battle
Inhospitable and barren, covered in volcanoes and lava flows, this world has about the same atmosphere as Mars in the Sol system. A few bubble cities house the population and the Brother Battle monastery.
Grail : Home of House Keddah
Dominant Faction : House Keddah
Others : The Etyri, Sanctuary Aeon.
The only world in Known Space actually ruled by a House Minor. Grail is the site of the Prophets healing by Amalthea after his battle with Darkness and takes its name from her symbol. Grail is home to not one but two sapient races, the avian Etyri and the reptilloid Zhuil'histhu. The reptiles were savage and not too bright and the human settlers sided with the more reasonable Etryi, driving the reptiles from the worlds surface to the many caves below. Grail is a beautiful world, covered in forests and mountains.
The Etyri and the Keddah once fought over the forestry policy of the humans but this is now past and both sides get along.
Grail is the source of Keddite a marble like mineral prized for it's blue iridescence.
Gwynneth
Dominant Faction : House Hawkwood
Others : House Jundaastas.
A pleasant and forested world, it has taken the brunt of raids by the Vuldrok. It is said that pagans still dwell in the deep forest and that they refuse to acknowledge Hawkwood rule.
Holy Terra : Homeworld of mankind.
Dominant Faction : The Universal Church.
Homeworld of Mankind.
Icon
Dominant Faction : House Li-Halan.
Site of the Li-Halan conversion to the Church. Also famed for its artisans and its many Ur ruins. Istakhr : Home of House Al-Malik Dominant Faction : House Al-Malik. Istakhrs' market is the largest in Known Space and the world has some of the most impressive architecture. Second Republic legal codes still persist in the local rule of law, including legal representation for serfs. Some pre-adamite ruins were found on the world when first colonised.
Iver
Dominant Faction : ????
A newly re-discovered Lost World beyond Pandemonium.
Kish : Home of House Li-Halan
Dominant Faction : House Li-Halan.
A desert world of some beauty. Li-Halan claim that their world is free from the peasant discontent that besets other worlds.
Kurga
Dominant Faction : The Kurga Caliphate.
Others: House Shelit, House Hazat.
Accessed via the Vera Cruz jumpgate, this is the site of the ground war between the Kurgans and the Hazat. House Shelit are native to this world and have sought Hazat aid in throwing the Kurgans off the world.
Leagueheim : Home of the League of Merchant Guilds.
Dominant Faction : The League
Every Guild in the League operates here, doing their best to make a Firebird and keep the Avestites of their backs. No world since the Fall of the Second Republic can claim so much technology. Anything goes here, so it is said.
Leminikainen
Dominant Faction : House Hawkwood.
This world has a sealed Jumpgate to Vuldrok space and a number of native barbarian factions left over from the last tide of barbarian invasions (ended by Vladimir) who want shot of the Hawkwoods and an alliance with the Vuldrok to help them get it if needs be. Most of the population live in small villages. Leminikainen is the main source of Pygmallium for House Hawkwood.
Madoc
Dominant Faction : The League
Others : House Jundaastas.
A largely water world that needed little terraforming and produces exquisite aquatic delicacies. These foods do not ship well, so gourmands must travel here to sample them. Legends speak of an undersea sentient race but no proof or ruins have ever been discovered.
Malignatus
Dominant Faction : House Decados.
Others : House Van Gelder
An arctic world, formerly held by Li-Halan, seized by Decados in the Emperor Wars. Still very much a planet given to religious fervour and often new sects spring up, causing all sorts of trouble.
Manitou
Dominant Faction : The Vau
A fertile and forested world. The Vau forbid the Inquisition to enter this system and therefore everyone with an interest in avoiding the Avestites tends to come here. A local Guild provides what passes for the government and has declared for Alexius.
Midian
Dominant Faction : House Li-Halan.
Formerly held by House Alecto. Homeworld of the current patriarch but the population abandoned Orthodoxy during the Emperor wars and new sects are common. Midian is the site of Li-Halans' main shipyard.
Nowhere
Dominant Faction : None.
Suspected of Symbiote taint but still a site of pilgrimage due to the presence of the "Gargoyle of Nowhere", a giant Ur-Artefact that is said to give visitors prophetic insights. Not all people who go to Nowhere are allowed back by the Stigmata Garrison and they travel the barren worlds surface in caravans. It is said that Nowhere was once a lush garden world and was withered in some cataclysm.
Obun : Home of the Ur-Obun.
(Also known as Velisamil)
Dominant Faction : Ur-Obun (Vassals of House Hawkwood)
A beautiful and tranquil world with an architecture unique in Known Space, spires rising up miles into the sky and vast melodic fountains. The Obun have remarkable autonomy under their Hawkwood masters and are envied by most other aliens.
Pandemonium
Dominant Faction : House Decados.
During the Second Republic, Pandemonium was terraformed into the greatest of all agricultural worlds. Known then as Grange it was the breadbasket of the Republic. Lost for centuries, it was rediscovered, still a thriving world and passed into the hands of House Decados.
Around the time that a second, partially incomplete Jumpgate was discovered in the system, the terraforming engines went wrong and began a series of cataclysms that rendered most of the planet outside the now overcrowded capitol (The Hub) uninhabitable.
The world of Iver has been discovered beyond the working gate.
Pentateuch
Dominant Faction : The Eskatonic Order.
The magnum opus of the greatest ever terraformer : Doramus. Pentateuch is said to have had ley lines woven into its terraforming matrix and is believed by many to be a magical place. As a result, the Avestites look in on the place frequently.
Pyre
Dominant Faction : Temple Avesti
Others : House Truskniron
A largely desert world that is home to the Inquisition.
Rampart
Dominant Faction : House Li-Halan
Previously a League world. Li-Halan are trying to 'civilise' this frontier minded world to no great success.
Ravenna
Dominant Faction : House Hawkwood.
Others : House Truskniron
Birthplace of Emperor Alexius. Shielded by its neighbours from the Vuldrok threat, this is a tranquil planet where the nobles may enjoy their hunting and hawking in peace.
Severus : Home of House Decados.
Dominant Faction : House Decados.
Others : The Ascorbites.
A jungle covered tropical hellhole of a planet. Few humans live on Severus and those do dwell in the main cities and around Manse Decados (the seat of House power). Native lifeforms are heavily armoured and nasty.
The Hull-rat is a Severan animal that has made space travel harder since the first one hopped aboard the early ships that visited the place : Hull rats eat anything, ship electronics included. The Ascorbites are regarded as dull witted slaves by the Decados. What the insectoids think of their overlords is not known but they are rumoured to have their own cities and strange technology hidden deep in the jungle.
Shaprut
Dominant Faction : House Al-Malik.
Others : The Shantor.
A mineral rich world that has suffered periodic Symbiote breakthroughs in the past. The Shantor are native to this world but are often shipped off world to reservations. Those that remain are frequently forced to work in the mines, their culture largely destroyed by human oppression.
Stigmata : Bulwark against the Symbiotes.
Dominant Faction : The Stigmata Garrison
A battleground between mankind and the Symbiotes. Brothers Battle, Imperial troops, Muster mercenaries and House levies all fight against the alien. A Stigmata veteran is likely to have seen more than any man should in his tour of duty. Few survive.
Sutek
Dominant Faction : House Hazat.
First world settled beyond the Sol system. Ruins on the world date back to the First republic and the occasional find does turn up.
Tethys
Dominant Faction : Imperial.
Others : Weaponsmith Guilds, House Justinian.
Once purely a Guild world, now it is held by the Emperors office directly. Its resources are long depleted and is now something of a colony for artisans, especially weaponsmiths. The Imperial guard use an entire continent for training and wargames. This necessitates tight security in the system.
Ukar : Homeworld of the Ur-Ukar, former capitol of the Ukari Empire.
Also known as Kordeth
Dominant Faction : The League.
Other : The Ur-Ukar, House Al-Malik
Ukar is a barren and virtually uninhabitable world. Only below the surface is life possible. Many strange lifeforms dwell in the honeycomb of tunnels that thread through the planet.
Vau
Dominant Faction : The Vau.
No-one is allowed into Vau space without permission. Almost nothing is known of this world. Vau usually merely expel trespassers, but not always.
Vera Cruz
Dominant Faction : House Hazat.
Beautiful and fertile, another of the terraformer Doromus' works. Vera Cruz is the least militarised of the Hazat worlds. Regarded as something of a backwater in Hazat politics, a place to retire from 'the great game'.
Vorox : Homeworld of the Vorox.
Also known as Ungavorox
Dominant Faction : Li-Halan
Others : The Vorox.
A jungle covered world, teeming with predatory and venomous lifeforms of foul disposition. Only civilised Vorox are allowed offworld.
Vril-Ya : Ambassadorial world of the Vau Empire.
Dominant Faction : The Vau
A warm largely water covered world. Humans are allowed only on one island reserved for their use. There is a rumoured black market in Vau-tech via low caste Vau. The Vau prefer to use other races as go-betweens, particularly Hironem.
Vuldrok
Dominant Faction : The Vuldrok
Little is known of this world beyond the Gwynneth jumpgate, save that it is the staging post for Vuldrok raids.