The Phoenix universe is composed of a number of star clusters colloquilly known as the Peripheries. They were called this because when the game was first started back in 1992 it was based in humanity's future and in a region of space beyond that ostensibly colonised by humanity. As such a game title Beyond the Stellar Empire and a region of space known as the Capellan Periphery on account of the first star system having the name Capella was very appropriate. As the game expanded now star clusters were discovered and each cluster was given a Periphery name often based on a significant star system (strategically, politically or simply first discovered).

While the physical region of space encapsulated by a Periphery may consist of a hundred thousand stars the vast majority of these do not have fields around them allowing them to be reached through the use of jump engines. As a consequence a Periphery in practical terms may only consist of a dozen to a few dozen star systems.

All starting players begin the game in Halo, primarily because it is effectively in the centre of political universe, i.e. it borders the GM enforced neutrality of Kastorian space and from here it is relatively straightforward to reach other Peripheries (where the factions haven't gone out of the way to block entry).



List of Peripheries

Halo
Halo is overseen by the Halo Benevolent Oligarchy, a Game Master Moderated faction that keeps the Periphery relatively peaceful without being truly passive. This is where new players start and run through missions learning the game. View Periphery

Inner and Outer Capellan
The Capellan Periphery once accounted for all the star system in the Inner and Outer Capellan Periphery. It was however split on account of its size (primarily for the effect this has on the value of unique trade goods). This was the original region of space defined by Beyond the Stellar Empire.
One system is of particular importance - Yank. This system is both connected to Halo and also GM Moderated as a safe zone.
View Inner Capellan Periphery
View Outer Capellan Periphery (includes Yank)

Cluster
This was where the Felini were first encounted by humans, leading to initial conflict. Since then the Periphery has tended to be a region of low level conflict as no one faction has dominant control. View Periphery

Coreward Arm
The most recent region of space discovered. Two advanced species colluded to create a monstrous colonisation program based on trade. It failed bankrupting the primary worlds and causing the small colonies to achieve independence. It is often lawless beyond the principle worlds and has many places to explore. Being so new and large, no single faction has been able to stamp their authority on it. It is an ideal place for new players to cut their teeth. View Periphery

Darkfold
The historical domain of the Confederacy before they evolved into the Caliphate. This region of space is still heavily controlled by the Caliphate and venturing into it without permission is inadvisable. View Periphery

Dewiek Home
The Nation of the Dewiek originated in these systems and it is here that their legacy is still being explored. Getting here is not straightforward as it can only be reached from other Peripheries through Stargates. View Periphery

Dewiek Pocket
This is where the Dewiek regrew their empire following the destruction of the Nation. As this is also beyond Stargates, reaching it without invitation is unlikely. View Periphery

Detinus Republic
This borders Darfold and the Outer Capellan Peripheries and consists of stars systems. While the Republic are the dominating faction in this region of space, policy changes have opened up many of the systems for exploration and trade. View Periphery

Flagritz Empire
While humans and Flagritz have fought many times of the past couple of decades those fought happened to be a splinter faction abandoned by the Empire. Recently the splinter faction has been amalgamated into the Flagritz Empire, extending from their restricted region of space. Few are even aware of how to reach the Flagritz Periphery let alone what lies within. View Periphery

Felini Empire
It is known that for a long period of time the Flagritz enslaved the Felini homeworld but where eventually repulsed. The Felini however have taken safeguards to restrict their region of space so that few outside their Tyranny ever enter the Periphery. View Periphery

Caliphate
Until 214 this was known as Inner Confederacy, on account of it being where the human faction forming the Confederacy fled to when they lost the war with the Stellar Empire (pre-game history). It was from here that they explored the nearest Periphery, Darkfold. With the Confederacy evolving into the Caliphate in 214, the Periphery was renamed Caliphate. View Periphery

Inner Empire
While there are a few Empires in the game, the Inner Empire refers to the Stellar Empire of humanity, at least it was before it collapsed back around 202. It's collapse led to the various systems ceding away from the floundering empire and then being usurped by various affiliations. It is however still dominated by humanity. View Periphery

None
This represents lone star systems and small oubliettes of linked systems that are not associated with the other Peripheries. View Periphery

Transpiral
This is long stretched star cluster with an unknown quantity of stars. A few factions are in the process of mapping it and discovering its extent. View Periphery

Twilight
For a long time it was thought that this was a single star rather than a Periphery. As it can only be reached by a Stargate few know its extent or riches. View Periphery