The Galaxy
Aug. 10th, 2012 11:44 pm

The Star Wars galaxy is vast and there are many star systems that your character may travel to during their stay. Below you can find information on what they might find on their travels, how space travel works, basic information on the planets and other locations, prison layouts, and how societies function in the different regions.
⁞map
Each important planet or location can be found on the map below. More locations will be added as they become needed for the game plot. Connecting each location is a hyperspace route. Because they're mobile, the various battle stations and capital ships where game plots take place will move around occasionally. Players will be notified when a ship or station has moved to another spot.
Hyperspace travel
- To figure out how many days it would take to travel to a certain spot in your ship, count how many red dots and planets are on the hyperspace route between your current location and your destination, then add your ship's hyperdrive class number. For example, if you were to travel from Tatooine to Coruscant with a class 3 hyperdrive it would take you seven days.
- Two planets that are so close that they have no red line between them count as the same spot on the map. If you were to travel from Geonosis to Corellia with a class 3 hyperdrive it would take you five days.
- The time it takes to travel between planets has less to do with actual distance and more to do with the hyperspace routes available. Some routes are more direct while others require coming out of hyperspace partway through a route and hopping onto another which takes longer. Red dots positioned more closely together on a particular route is usually an indication that a hyperspace route is very winding and requires a couple stops. However, instead of having to figure out the complicated hyperspace routes all you have to do is count red dots. Convenient, right?

⁞key
- Alderaan - A peaceful planet, lush and green and known for its unspoiled beauty. One of the founding planets of the original Galactic Republic. Houses war refugees displaced by the Empire. Aligned with the Alliance.
- Bespin - An uninhabitable gas giant. The tibanna gas mining facility Cloud City hovers in its oxygenated atmosphere. Currently unaligned.
- Corellia - A temperate planet with mountains and greenery, mostly rural. Its orbit is covered in manufacturing plants, primarily ships and other transport technology. Aligned with the Empire, though anti-Imperial protests are rampant.
- Coruscant - Entirely covered by city and skyscrapers. The city is very old and has had many layers built on top of each other over time. It's the Imperial capitol of the galaxy. Aligned with the Empire.
- Dathomir - A mostly untamed and temperate planet. Currently controlled by the Empire and is the site of an Imperial prison. Aligned with the Empire.
- Death Star - The Empire's secret weapon, a battle station with the ability to destroy an entire planet. Aligned with the Empire.
- Devastator - The Imperial I-class Star Destroyer flagship of Darth Vader. Aligned with the Empire.
- Executor - A Super Star Destroyer nearing its completion in a shipyard on Fondor. Aligned with the Empire. Aligned with the Empire.
- Fondor - Temperate climate and covered in industrialization. Famous for its orbital shipyards, though not quite as famed as that of Corellia. Currently unaligned.
- Geonosis - A desolate, desert world mostly inhabited by the insect-like Geonosians who live underground due to the harsh climate. Aligned with the Empire.
- Home One - Commander Gial Ackbar's flagship, a Mon Calamari MC80 Star Cruiser. Aligned with the Alliance.
- Kashyyk - A lush world filled with wroshyr trees that grow so tall and thick, the forest floors are almost pitch black. Home planet of the Wookiees. Aligned with the Empire.
- Kessel - A prison planet, bleak and desolate. While technically a planet, it's rocky and shaped like an asteroid. There is an Imperial prison here along with the famed spice mines. Aligned with the Empire.
- Liberty - A Mon Calamari MC80 Star Cruiser, the flagship of Admiral Yamarus. Aligned with the Alliance.
- Mon Calamari (Dac) - An aquatic planet covered in water with both surface and submarine cities. Home of the Mon Calamari and the Quarren. Aligned with the Alliance.
- Nar Shaddaa - Commonly known as Little Coruscant, this moon is also covered entirely in a cityscape. Unlike Coruscant, however, it's filthy and polluted and infested with crime. Aligned with the Hutts.
- Tatooine - A desolate planet mostly covered in desert. The entire southern hemisphere is uninhabitable by humanoids. Its main cities are common outposts for smugglers and traders. Aligned with the Hutts.
- Toprawa - A forested planet inhabited by humans with some small cities. Aligned with the Empire.
- Yavin IV - The fourth moon of the gas giant, Yavin, covered in lush jungles. It was once inhabited by the ancient Massassi, a subspecies of the Sith race, whose temples were left behind after they died out. No current alignment, though the Alliance has established their main base there.
⁞current locations of ships and space stations
- Death Star - Geonosis
- Executor - Fondor
- Devastator - Toprawa
- Home One - Mon Calamari
- Liberty - Toprawa
⁞language and culture
Somehow, despite being an entirely different society in an entirely different galaxy, the beings of Star Wars have developed a language and alphabet nearly identical to our own. Communication shouldn't be a problem for English-speaking and -writing characters, though they may find that the labels are quite different.
In this galaxy, the English-like language commonly used by humans and most humanoid aliens is called Galactic Basic Standard, or Basic for short. The alphabet similar to ours is called High Galactic, though it's not as commonly used or known as the Aurebesh alphabet.
Despite being nearly identical to English, Basic still has some unique slang and dialect.
The most widely-spoken second language in the galaxy is Huttese. Most beings who have either spent a lot of time in Hutt Space/the Outer Rim or do a lot of traveling or diplomatic work will at least be able to understand Huttese. Many who live or grew up in Hutt Space/the Outer Rim will be able to speak it too. Huttese is a very common second language to be studied in secondary school elective classes. Being able to read the Huttese alphabet is far less common and only those whose first language is Huttese will typically be capable of this.
Aurebesh is considered to be the standard alphabet in the galaxy and will be the primary form of writing seen throughout. However, most core worlds will have signs written in both Aurebesh and High Galactic. Most beings with a standard education will be able to read High Galactic though they're typically slower with it than they are with Aurebesh. Other beings might not be able to read it at all. Beings who were raised in the core worlds, especially those with expensive educations or those who hold high positions in politics or society will use High Galactic as their primary alphabet.
All text-based communicators that your characters might use come with an Aurebesh setting and a High Galactic setting so that they'll never be stuck trying to decipher a message in an alphabet they can't read.
For the most part everyone signs their name in High Galactic. Think of High Galactic as this galaxy's more advanced form of cursive writing.
The common calender used in this galaxy is the Galactic Standard Calendar. The main differences between that calendar and our Gregorian calendar are that there are 368 days in a year instead of 365 and five days in a week instead of seven. Some planets, systems, and sectors use their own calendars but Galactic Standard is the default.
Metric is the standard system of measurement in the galaxy. Some Imperial units are still used like pounds or sometimes miles but native characters are much more likely to use units like meters, centimeters, and kilometers for size and distance. The average human stands between a meter and a half to two meters tall.
⁞political climate
Since 19 BBY the Galactic Empire has held the highest authority in the galaxy. The galaxy's core planets submit to the Empire's rule and the Imperial Senate holds little power anymore. Most residents in the core and colonies support the Empire, even if it's through coercion or fear. Coruscant is the Empire's capitol and is where its influence is the strongest. In the core, so much as publicly hinting at support for the rebellion will get one thrown in jail for treason.
In the outer rim, the Empire has less power and often must contend with the Hutts and the Black Sun cartels for territory. These two groups have proven powerful and ruthless and thus the Empire has allowed the crime lords their space, even if the relationships remain shaky. Many outer rim planets lack proper government and their residents are more likely to support the Alliance, even if they must do it quietly. The Empire has little power here but their spies are everywhere.
⁞tech, weaponry, and ships
Star Wars takes place in a galaxy that is very technologically advanced and most of it makes up a single political entity. The first known civilizations began developing around 2,000,000 years ago. Space flight was first achieved 100,000 years ago and widely-distributed hyperdrive technology was developed 25,000 years ago.
Nearly every inhabitable, terrestrial planet in the core is civilized and supports residential communities, businesses, industries, imports and exports, and bustling space ports. In the middle and outer rims, fewer planets are civilized and there are still many that have never even been colonized by the Republic. Still, most discovered planets at least have an outpost of sorts and perhaps a small landing pad for ships.
Many of the planets without Republic or Imperial colonies still have communities of sentient species, either known or unknown by the rest of the galaxy.
TECH
Space travel is commonplace in the galaxy and most middle-upper income citizens own at least one spaceship. Communication between worlds is nearly instant, usually conducted through holographic or audio connections. Satellite stations positioned throughout the galaxy are used to send communication signals from system to system.
Most middle-upper income homes are fitted with voice-activated computers that control security, climate, and communications. Some are even able to display holovids or play music.
Ground transportation is primarily by landspeeder or airspeeder, which are both repulsorlift vehicles. Speeder bikes, swoops, and skyhoppers are also used as privately-owned vehicles, and hovertrains and taxi speeders are common modes of public transportation.
Droids, robots with artificial intelligence, exist on just about every colonized planet. They come in thousands of different models and are designed to handle a wide variety of jobs, usually ones considered too dangerous or menial for humans or other sentient species. Their intelligence ranges from the very basics of automated computing power to advanced human replication designed to imitate sentient lifeforms.
Droids vary from simple floating spheres or pods with a single arm that solely speak Binary, to humanoid designs that walk on two legs, sport fully-fingered hands, a head with humanoid features, and use the common language of Basic to communicate. Some droids are even designed as interpreters and are not only pre-programmed with millions of languages, but can actually learn new ones just by hearing them spoken.
A few droids are programmed with the capability and knowledge to use a wide variety of weaponry, or even have weapons built directly into them. They can be quite deadly and are often used as guards or soldiers.
Some of the other jobs that droids commonly perform include pilot, mechanic, navigator, medic, surgeon, communicator, butler, servant, maid, load lifter, security patrol, and common laborer. There are even small droid ships that don't require sentient pilots.
WEAPONS
The most common weapons seen during this era of galactic civilization are firearms, primarily blasters. These vary from small, low-power pistols to heavy rifles, and even shoulder-mounted laser cannons. Particle beams from blasters typically do burn damage, easily killing most biological creatures with a single abdominal, chest, or head shot. Most of the more advanced blasters have a stun setting that will render the target unconscious for a short period of time. Laser weapons do explosive damage which is usually used against artillery, buildings, or ships. Against an organic it would easily destroy the entire body in one hit.
Slugthrower weapons are still seen but are much less common and typically only seen on Mid or Outer Rim planets where technology is less advanced. They're considered far less effective and efficient than blasters or lasers because they require constant reloading and the ammunition is far more expensive. Bullets also tend to do less damage and require more accuracy. On the other hand, they're usually easier to maintain and are more durable than blasters.
Vibroblades are the common technology used in just about all bladed tools and weapons, everything from kitchen knives to swords. Simple blades exist but they're less common and relatively cheap.
On most Core planets individuals must pass through weapons scanners at every space port. The possession of weapons without specific authority or license is illegal in most communities and cities.
Explosives and other demolitions are fairly exclusive to military operatives and individuals who work outside the law. Grenades, mines, and thermal detonators are the most common.
SHIPS
Most spaceships have hyperdrives installed which give them the ability to travel at lightspeed from system to system via hyperspace, on trips that might otherwise take hundreds or thousands of years. Because of this they're fairly standard vehicles among sentients and come in many, many models and designs. Slow hyperdrives are cheaper and common in civillian-owned ships, while fast hyperdrives can be extremely expensive and are typically only found in military vessels or ships that have been heavily modified.
Space-worthy ships are typically made of durasteel with transparisteel viewports. This makes them highly resistant to harsh elements and the powerful vacuum of space.
Transports, yachts, and freighters are the most commonly seen, especially among civilians. They're typically fitted with standard navigation and hyperdrive, sleeping quarters, simple food storage and preparation, a cargo area, and an engineering bay for repairs and maintenance. Fancier models, especially yachts, have entertaining amenities such as dining areas, parlors, and jacuzzis.
Military models including starfighters, cruisers and capital ships are typically fitted with faster hyperdrives, protected by deflector shields, and usually sport heavy artillery such as laser cannons, turbolasers, torpedo and missile launchers, and ion cannons. Non-military ships with these features are very uncommon and are typically illegal to own inside the Core.
Some smaller or older models of starfighter are not fitted with hyperdrives, as they're built for short range flight only and dock with larger ships when it's time to jump into hyperspace. TIE fighters, the Empire's primary starfighter, don't even have deflector shields. The Empire considers them highly expendable.
Space travel is commonplace in the galaxy and most middle-upper income citizens own at least one spaceship. Communication between worlds is nearly instant, usually conducted through holographic or audio connections. Satellite stations positioned throughout the galaxy are used to send communication signals from system to system.
Most middle-upper income homes are fitted with voice-activated computers that control security, climate, and communications. Some are even able to display holovids or play music.
Ground transportation is primarily by landspeeder or airspeeder, which are both repulsorlift vehicles. Speeder bikes, swoops, and skyhoppers are also used as privately-owned vehicles, and hovertrains and taxi speeders are common modes of public transportation.
Droids, robots with artificial intelligence, exist on just about every colonized planet. They come in thousands of different models and are designed to handle a wide variety of jobs, usually ones considered too dangerous or menial for humans or other sentient species. Their intelligence ranges from the very basics of automated computing power to advanced human replication designed to imitate sentient lifeforms.
Droids vary from simple floating spheres or pods with a single arm that solely speak Binary, to humanoid designs that walk on two legs, sport fully-fingered hands, a head with humanoid features, and use the common language of Basic to communicate. Some droids are even designed as interpreters and are not only pre-programmed with millions of languages, but can actually learn new ones just by hearing them spoken.
A few droids are programmed with the capability and knowledge to use a wide variety of weaponry, or even have weapons built directly into them. They can be quite deadly and are often used as guards or soldiers.
Some of the other jobs that droids commonly perform include pilot, mechanic, navigator, medic, surgeon, communicator, butler, servant, maid, load lifter, security patrol, and common laborer. There are even small droid ships that don't require sentient pilots.
WEAPONS
The most common weapons seen during this era of galactic civilization are firearms, primarily blasters. These vary from small, low-power pistols to heavy rifles, and even shoulder-mounted laser cannons. Particle beams from blasters typically do burn damage, easily killing most biological creatures with a single abdominal, chest, or head shot. Most of the more advanced blasters have a stun setting that will render the target unconscious for a short period of time. Laser weapons do explosive damage which is usually used against artillery, buildings, or ships. Against an organic it would easily destroy the entire body in one hit.
Slugthrower weapons are still seen but are much less common and typically only seen on Mid or Outer Rim planets where technology is less advanced. They're considered far less effective and efficient than blasters or lasers because they require constant reloading and the ammunition is far more expensive. Bullets also tend to do less damage and require more accuracy. On the other hand, they're usually easier to maintain and are more durable than blasters.
Vibroblades are the common technology used in just about all bladed tools and weapons, everything from kitchen knives to swords. Simple blades exist but they're less common and relatively cheap.
On most Core planets individuals must pass through weapons scanners at every space port. The possession of weapons without specific authority or license is illegal in most communities and cities.
Explosives and other demolitions are fairly exclusive to military operatives and individuals who work outside the law. Grenades, mines, and thermal detonators are the most common.
SHIPS
Most spaceships have hyperdrives installed which give them the ability to travel at lightspeed from system to system via hyperspace, on trips that might otherwise take hundreds or thousands of years. Because of this they're fairly standard vehicles among sentients and come in many, many models and designs. Slow hyperdrives are cheaper and common in civillian-owned ships, while fast hyperdrives can be extremely expensive and are typically only found in military vessels or ships that have been heavily modified.
Space-worthy ships are typically made of durasteel with transparisteel viewports. This makes them highly resistant to harsh elements and the powerful vacuum of space.
Transports, yachts, and freighters are the most commonly seen, especially among civilians. They're typically fitted with standard navigation and hyperdrive, sleeping quarters, simple food storage and preparation, a cargo area, and an engineering bay for repairs and maintenance. Fancier models, especially yachts, have entertaining amenities such as dining areas, parlors, and jacuzzis.
Military models including starfighters, cruisers and capital ships are typically fitted with faster hyperdrives, protected by deflector shields, and usually sport heavy artillery such as laser cannons, turbolasers, torpedo and missile launchers, and ion cannons. Non-military ships with these features are very uncommon and are typically illegal to own inside the Core.
Some smaller or older models of starfighter are not fitted with hyperdrives, as they're built for short range flight only and dock with larger ships when it's time to jump into hyperspace. TIE fighters, the Empire's primary starfighter, don't even have deflector shields. The Empire considers them highly expendable.
⁞welcome to your prison
Suddenly there's a huge flash of light and a tugging sensation in the back of your stomach as you're lifted completely off your feet. You're spewed out onto a cold, metal floor, temporarily blinded. As your eyes slowly adjust you realize that you're trapped in a holding cell measuring about ten meters squared. It's obviously brand new and may even still smell like fresh building materials.
The cell is primarily durasteel, though the floor is made of a different metal. If you know your metals you might be able to discern that it's highly conductive. An observant person may even hear the low hum of an electric current throughout the cell.
If you attempt to break out of the cell with your own bodily strength you'll likely injure yourself, and if you had any powers they seem to have completely left you. The cell is magnetically sealed and any attempt to use a weapon to break through it will totally fail, not to mention cause a projectile to go bouncing off the walls before it finally loses momentum. You'll also almost immediately feel a strong electric current pulse through you that will temporarily render you paralyzed, along with everyone else who might currently be in the cell with you. Needless to say, trying to be a hero won't gain you any friends.
Soon after you're deposited into the cell the door will open and a small squad of guards nearby in white armor, stormtroopers if you're familiar with them, will enter the cell, blaster rifles aimed at you. One of them holds a different weapon. You might recognize it as a supercharged taser. The guard in front commands you to drop all of your weapons. After you've done so he'll quickly search you for more, then collect the ones you dropped and exit the cell.
If you attempt to talk to any of the guards they'll simply ignore you. Attacking them will get you immediately tasered. If you're wearing armor or another covering that makes you resistant to tasering you'll be tackled to the ground by as many stormtroopers as it takes and forcibly bound. Power armor will be disabled which will render you unable to move until it's completely removed.
At the end of the day all prisoners will be escorted onto a prison transport ship and moved to an Imperial prison either on Dathomir or Kessel. The prison is drab and bleak and there are stormtroopers everywhere. There are laser cannon turrets on the corner of every wall. In the distance there's a small landing pad with a number of prison facility space ships and transports parked there.
Inside you're thoroughly searched and removed of the rest of your personal possessions except clothing and any devices you might require to survive or get around. Then you're tossed into another durasteel cell, though this one looks far better constructed, more permanent, and older than the last one. The cell has basic commodities including a toilet, a sink, and cots. There are a few other prisoners in there with you.
It's a maximum-security prison and very little freedom is allowed to the prisoners. Meals are provided once per day and the food is just enough to keep one from starving. It's barely edible if not rotten.
No one has told you why you're here, why you've been imprisoned, or even where you are.
DATHOMIR >> planet info
The Dathomir prison is positioned at the base of a mountain range. In addition to the landing pad, Imperial troops, and laser cannon turrets, there are several AT-STs stationed nearby.
The facility is multilevelled and the cells blocks are all on the top three levels. The bottom level houses storage, kitchens, and guard quarters. The lift between floors requires a code to operate.
KESSEL >> planet info
The Kessel prison sits next to a hover train depot where prisoners are transported daily to the spice mines.
This prison is mostly flat and single-levelled. The cells blocks are separated from the rest of the prison by security gates that require a code to get past.
