The Frontier
The Frontier is the general name for the worlds in the Golden Star Cluster, a region of hundreds of stars and planets. There are about 40-45 inhabited systems and worlds Within the area, comprising about 7 different distinct regions of the galaxy. The year is 553 Post Imperium, and it has been as many years since the fall of the Golden Imperium, the great Empire which once controlled the entire galaxy. With the unifying force, as well as many of the interior information networks, being destroyed in a mass collapse of society through a series of internal conflicts and wars called the Crucible wars. Society was flung into the First Galactic dark age, as many of the systems, and infrastructure as well as production networks set up by the Imperium decayed over time until collapse.
In the year 546 PI, Interstellar travel finally once again became a possibility for many once more, as a period of 500 years of worlds and systems being isolated came to an end, and the vast post collapse expanse of space once again opened up to the people of the Frontier. With the expanse of the scope of the universe, and trade negotions, and even the starts of conflicts between Stellar regions became a possibility, many regions began to expand and unify, taking multiple systems under their yoke for the past 10 years of intense settling conflict, as the universe has since quieted down to an extent, and life has began to exist in some facimilie of normalcy. Additionally a new Lucrative trade has become an option for those brave; or Dumb enough to give it a go. Scrapping.
The scrapping and collection of golden age technology has become one of the most dangerous, and most lucrative careers, as well as planet surveying, and initial colonization - As Regions seek to expand out from their current confines and re establish links with the rest of the galaxy, and artefacts of the golden age become more accessible, as well as the valuable and expensive components of modern ships.
Despite the new ability to once again explore space and push back out into the universe, much of the galaxy, its functions, and the dangers that lurk within, remain completely unknown, making those who work, and travel in deep space have a significantly shorter life expectancy. Additionally, during this time, new forms have popped up in the universe, and started leaving tracks and standing on the universal stage, making the previously 'golden' races not the only ones with control over the galaxy.