This Sphere is in turmoil. It was only until recently a battleground against the Elves of Astra Arcanium who were winning until the Battle of Broken Wings. Its peace is tentative, but it’s also a place where plots of land are being issued to settle this land to secure the empire.
This space is dotted with Castles created by Astra Byzantium
forces to control the territory, but pockets of resistance run deep as the
elves have made their mark.
Furthermore, the entire sphere has been separated into two different factions. The Albions felt they were left to their own long enough and want to continue self-rule. In contrast, the Britannians are loyal to the Byzantium empire and are doing everything to return to the fold. These groups often end up hostile. Entire families are in bitter disagreement into the fate of this sphere.
Key Locations of Note
Orkney Belt
This is three different asteroid belts (the Shetland,
Hebredes, and the Orkneys proper), but usually is simply called “the Orks”
Filled with rock and ice, it acts as a natural protection. Strange creatures abound but it’s a great
place for space whaling.
Caladonia
This territory is known for its hardy folk and stubborn
drive. It has a sizable dwavern population
that prides itself in it’s artificers.
It is also known for its sizable Space Serpent population that the
inhabitants have tamed.
The Offa Belt
This is less an asteroid belt and more a radiation storm
belt that is in perpetual uproar. It
waxes and wanes and normally adds a layer of protection to the inner
sphere. Strange aberations abound in
this danger zone.
Dumnonii
This dwarf planet (as opposed to dwarvern) is somewhat
between Albion, Cymeru and Hibernia. It is a land of haunted moorlands and a
surprising number of potatoes (which are animated into humanoids for self defence). The main
population are Halflings if you don’t count the ghosts that plague this
planet. It’s port, Baskerville, is a
place of Pirates, smugglers and wreckers all looking for their next job.
Hibernia
This is the most affected by the elven invasion. It is a
place where half-elves are a dominant cultural group where the merging of
cultures has developed something new.
They have been feuding with the powers of Albion for generations, and
have no love lost for the Elves from their own occupation. They also are renowned for their libraries as
they are almost compulsive as a culture in hording information.
Astra Albonis
Covering the southern part of the planet Albion, when they
were cut off from the rest of the Byzantium empire, they decided to become
their own. It's founding legends are the
tales of King Astorius Draconis and his knights. Held up as the embodiment of
justice and good governance, this has affected traditions and laws throughout
the empire.
Spellcasters are expected to advise, not rule for example.
This is the largest group of “Albonis” in this space and
have even sent out “colonies” into other parts of space. This will come to a head one of these days
where their allegiance lies as Empress Theodora minions return to this part of
space.
While they had strong connections to the fey even before the invasion, there is another word that is often used: collaberators!
Mercia
The Northern Part of Albion is of the mighty kingdom of
Mercia. Mostly populated by Orcs, they
are incredibly loyal to the Byzantium Empire as it was, they whom gave them
access to something they never had before: prosperity. Often Joked by outsiders as the Orcish
Peacocks due to their finery and abrassiveness, they were responsible for some
of the most brutal fighting against the elves.
They were one of the first freed from occupation by Byzantium forces and
it only added to their loyalty. They
find their Southern neighbors to be hypocritical and are often feuding with
them. Honestly, they are some of the
most generous and fair people in all Spelljammer space, once you accept their rough
edges.
Sherwood Asteroid
This is as much a myth as a real place. Legend has it that a breakaway group of elves
and other friends ended up waylaying those of influence and power in return for
protecting the poor and the downtrodden.
However, the cynics often believe this is merely a ruse and they are
elven guerilla fighters determined to undermine the locals to put them back
under the elven boot. The Asteroid
itself is a repurposed dwavern citadel and moves periodically within both
asteroid belts and even beyond on occasion.
