History of The Octant

Around this time, it is believed that initial ventures into FTL travel began, with the preliminary versions of the Alcubierre Drive noted for their unpredictability.

Data remnants suggest that the dawn of Etera's colonization began around this era.

Etera is described in fragmented tales as a beacon of both culture and science, spreading its influence across many star systems.

Digital remnants paint a portrait of a faction evolving into the Echolites amidst urban sprawls that will later be central to the Heartworlds of the Nexus Octant. Initially reflecting the rich diversity of the Eterians, generations of intermingling and adaptation to their technology-integrated environment catalyze the evolution of distinctive physical traits and longer lifespans averaging 200-250 years.

Amidst the ranks of Eterian colonists venturing into volatile star systems, a faction molds into the sturdy and resilient Scarpines. Decoded data speaks of the original Scarpines, who carved their legacy in the tumultuous star systems that would later be delineated as the Helix Reach Octant. Their evolution, dictated by harsh environments, fosters a shorter, robust stature and an average lifespan of 120-150 years. Over time, their genes craft a narrative of survival and resilience, with the capacity to withstand adversities that their ancestral Eterians could not have endured. The Scarpine society is a testament to the power of resilience, survival, and communal support, with each individual contributing to the well-being of the whole. Their fierce love for their rugged homelands binds their cultural identity to the challenging landscapes they inhabit.

In areas that would later be categorized as the Zephyr Octant, tales emerge of the Luminans, evolving to harmonize with their radiant surroundings. Their evolutionary journey is marked by adaptations to high levels of cosmic radiation, resulting in slightly bioluminescent skin and remarkable lifespans of up to 500 years. This prolonged interaction with their environment shapes a deeply spiritual and harmonious society, where wisdom amassed over centuries bestows them with revered roles as healers and peacekeepers in the universe.

In the region that would later be named the Horizon Belt Octant, the Rimkind emerged—curious star wanderers inspired by the vast cosmos. Their evolution, shaped by isolation and cosmic challenges, gave them tall, slender forms and skin hues reminiscent of distant stars. Living as nomads, they embraced the universe's unpredictability, which resulted in varied lifespans and a keen sense for navigation in space's unknown expanses. Rimkind culture prizes freedom, adaptability, and exploration, distinguished by their superior navigation prowess, resourcefulness, and intimate knowledge of the cosmos.

Amidst fragmented records, it becomes evident that old Etera, in all its majesty, succumbed. External pressures and internal schisms fractured its once indomitable spirit. The subspecies, blossoming in their own lights, began shaping new tales, paying homage to Eterian heritage while writing their own cosmic destinies.

The universe witnesses the ascension of Echolites, Scarpines, Luminians, and Rimkind, with records suggesting their dominance in the known realms. The cosmos, sans Eterian guidance, resonates with dissonance and clashing symphonies.

As civilizations in the boundless expanses of the interstellar realm advance and grapple with intensifying security challenges, the UEA emerges as a centralized law enforcement authority, holding jurisdiction across the known universe. Its mission centers on safeguarding peace, nurturing order, and ensuring justice. The UEA's establishment, driven by the recognition of a unified force's necessity following countless millennia of human expansion and conflict, triggers a transformative shift in universal governance and order. It becomes the forerunner in systematically recording and preserving historical events scattered across the cosmos, addressing the persistent issue of inconsistencies and information loss in written records. Consequently, pre-UEA narratives are generally viewed as unreliable. While the true origins of humanity and the onset of Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel remain unknown, prevailing beliefs suggest FTL travel commenced somewhere around 25,000 Eternums before the formation of the UEA, or AU (Anteris Unital). The shroud of time obscures definitive proof, and there are an abundance of theories across the Octant.

Faced with the rapidly expanding known universe, the UEA spearheads an intricate plan of division and organization. This extensive restructuring resonates profoundly within the outer rim sectors, now meticulously divided, assigned official names and nicknames, and subjected to a more systematic governance structure. The sectors are formally numbered, but over time they earn colloquial names: 1. Nexus, 2. The Arm, 3. Helix Reach, 4. Echelon, 5. Zephyr, 6. Horizon Belt, 7. Starfallen Basin, 8. Void Frontier. Sectors 1 through 4 evolve into the UEA's "Core Sectors," signifying regions where UEA influence and governance are strongest. Numerous outer rim planets and coalitions in Sectors 5 through 8 resist assimilation under the UEA's banner while abstaining from formal war declarations. The UEA claims theoretical dominion over these territories without resorting to military action. The reality is a strategic act of overlooking most dissenters to avoid disrupting the precarious equilibrium. The birth of the Octant - a conglomerate of the eight sectors - is a strategic masterstroke, significantly enhancing governance efficacy and coordination within the UEA's sphere.

With the known universe reaching a colossal size, the need for further exploration diminishes, especially within the sectors known as the Starfallen Basin and the Void Frontier. The inhospitable nature of these outer Octants deters large-scale exploration efforts.

The ideological chasm widens into a glaring fault line, igniting the flames of the Seraphim Crisis - a large-scale conflict engulfing both Echolite and Luminan territories. This war, characterized by a clash of technology and spirituality, marks a dark chapter in the universal history where alliances are tested and civilizations are pushed to the brink of collapse.

At this point, the UEA stands at the pinnacle of its influence, primarily within the Core Sectors of the Octant. However, vast swaths of the universe remain untamed, untouched, or fiercely independent. This period marks 2 Eternums since the formation of the UEA.

Start of The Shadow in the Stars, marking the first narrative in this universe. Mo Darin arrives on the planet of Eclipsis to investigate a cult who have been implicated in a series of high-profile kidnappings.