I don't own Mass Effect, or anything to do with it. Unfortunately.

AR: Exploring the Galaxy

Introduction

People seemed to very much enjoy the Author's Fun Facts from Arrival and Terminus, which were used to give the stories a larger sense of place in the modified Mass Effect universe that I'm working with. This story is largely going to be both a collection of those AFF's, as well as an expansion of their ideas.

This story will be used only to indicate the state of the galaxy at the end of 2181 and beginning of 2182, so roughly one year prior to ME1 and corresponding to the initial portions of AR: Ronin.

Exploring the Galaxy will be divided into sections, each covering a different topic. As the AR stories will almost all be taking place in the Terminus and Traverse, rather than the more often traveled Citadel space, it will primarily be focused on those areas.

As I stated in one of my Author's Notes from Terminus, I am drawing some inspiration from Logical Premise's Of Sheep and Battle Chicken universe. I am not going anywhere near as dark as his, though things aren't going to be nearly as sunshine and rainbows as in the games. Areas where I directly use any of his ideas, or expand upon them myself will be noted in the end of chapter notes. Everything else, I believe, is from my own head.

A note on Galactic Locations

I've never been the largest fan of how the galactic map was worked out, and have also never really found one that I liked enough to use. The overall sense of things will remain in terms of where the home worlds and core spaces of each species are, but I'm shifting some of the relays around. (Example: From most maps the only way for the Hegemony to get to the Citadel is through Alliance space. This is obviously wrong because the Batarians were on the Citadel far before we were and would have hopefully noticed another species flitting about right in front of them)

This may take a bit of mental gymnastics to work out, but here is how I picture the ME galaxy.

Outer Citadel Space: A bit of misnomer, as this region is essentially the Asari Republics, though it also includes the Hanar and Elcor home worlds. Technically covers the entire northwestern 'quadrant' of the galaxy from Illium to the Citadel. In reality, this region of space has fewer dense star clusters reachable by Mass Relays, and much of the rim remains unexplored.

Inner Citadel Space: Covering the 'slice' of the galaxy between the Citadel and Sol, this dense region includes the Turian Hierachy, Vol Protectorate, and Salarian Union. Tuchanka can also be found here. Thanks largely to Salarian wanders in the pre-Rachni era, has the fewest inactive relays of any region and the most colonized worlds.

Alliance Space: The area usually considered to be the 'core' of human controlled space, including Sol and Arcturus systems. Escaped prior colonization despite its nearness to the Citadel only because of Citadel laws preventing relay activation.

Hegemony Space: The south-eastern Rim of the galaxy dominated by the Batarian Hegemony. Noted for having very few prime element zero sources forcing the Hegemony to import much of the critical resource.

Skyllian Verge: Formerly part of the Attican Traverse, this was once a prospective Batarian colonization zone before it was 'given' to humanity by the Council. Consists of several high-density star clusters connected by relays to the Alliance, Hegemony, and Traverse.

Attican Traverse*: By Alliance declaration (not backed by the Council) an area of human interest, in reality this region of space is as lawless as the Terminus. Covers the eastern block of the galaxy between the Alliance, Hegemony, and the Terminus proper. The preferred location for human colonists who want nothing to do with the SA and are willing to risk the region's dangers.

Dark Rim*: The rim of the galaxy bordering the Attican Traverse. Possesses a few Hegemony colonies but is largely dominated by pirate groups who do not answer to any of the Terminus Warlords.

Terminus Systems*: The north-eastern block of the galaxy, notable for being dominated by Omega and it's collection of primary relays. Despite its size, it is difficult to navigate as there are only three active prime relays (Illium, Theodosis, and Hawking Eta) that lead into its interior, and once there travelers must pay frequent tithes to remain unmolested. While incomers may use secondary relays to make the trip, it is a far longer and more dangerous process.

Perseus Rim: Formerly Quarian territory, borders the Terminus along the galactic edge and has relays leading both there and to Outer Citadel space. The Geth have, to date, destroyed any organic attempting to reach the 'inner' colonies of their former masters, but have not interfered with Terminus groups encroaching on a few of the outermost systems.

* - These regions of space do not obey Citadel law when it comes to relay activation. New star clusters are opened on a fairly regular basis by independent exploration groups who sneer at the Citadel's paranoia.

Index

Section 1 - The Blue Suns War: A breakdown of the events and factors leading up to the war, notable battles that occurred, and the fallout still permeating in its aftermath.

Part 1: Blue Suns Leadership, Pre-War Plans, The Illium Operation

Part 2: The War in the Terminus

Part 3: The War in the Traverse

Part 4: The Aftermath

Section 2 – The Dark Side of the Galaxy: An analysis of the various Warlords who hold power in the Terminus, Traverse, and the Rim. Covers the differences in culture between those who live in these areas of space compared to those on the Citadel, as well as inter-species romance. Will also go into the economies, militaries, and the unique types of warships built there..

Part 1: The Terminus; History & Inhabitants

Part 2: The Lady Warlord, Yan T'Ravt

Part 3: The Traverse; Spheres of Influence

Part 4: The Steel King, Heinrich 'die Waffe' Bauer

Part 5: Omega; Layout

Part 6: The Capitals: Illium & Xentha

Part 7: The Warlords

Section 3 – The Hegemony: The rise and fall of the Batarian Hegemony in Citadel space, and its actions as an independent power. Batarian culture, religion, and military strength will be touched on, alongside a few of the dominant personalities.

Part 1: Castes, Government, and the Pillars

Part 2: Political Groups and Notable Families

Part 3: A Culture of Posture, Inter-Species Relations

Part 4: Government & MIlitary

Part 5: Rise and Fall of the Hegemony

Section 4 – The Citadel: Will focus mostly on how the Ciatdel interacts with the Terminus, Traverse, and Hegemony. A few major players will also be covered, such as humanities golden trio (The Butcher, the Survivor, and The Lionness).

Section 5 – Miscellaneous: Reserved for anything that doesn't quite fit, such as technological notes on things like Tech Mines and Power Armor.

- More will be added as I find inspiration/receive requests that intrigue me -

I should be adding everything that was in my Author's Fun Facts at some point, plus the expanded info, but if there is anything you want to know in specific feel free to ask.

Thanks,

Kat