Azure Imperium

Summary
"Imperium space" is an unofficial term referring to the region of space controlled and administered from Anaxes, as defined in accordance with the borders of the pre-Republic Azure Imperium. At first glance it appears to be limited to the Axum system, but in reality it encompasses a number of older multi-star systems located well beyond the system periphery.

Most stars in the Azure sector are either brown or red dwarfs pulled into visible clusters long ago. These same stellar formations were responsible for clearing most space dust from the region, thanks to the complex local gravitational fields. For this reason, shipping and navigation through the region is easy by intergalactic standards.

There are few inhabitable planets in the Azure sector outside of the Axum system. Most worlds are gas giants with an overabundance of lighter elements, and the few terrestrial worlds found on this side of the Ringali Shell were heavily mined in the distant past. Evidence of this mining can be found in the Axum system itself: some moons around the gas giant Phlors Rex had their crusts blasted into orbit for harvesting thousands of years ago.

In 912 ARR the Royal Surveyors' Corps, tasked with the maintenance and upkeep of interstellar charts and navigational recordings used by the Royal Axum Home Defense Fleet, conducted a survey of the outlying systems. The expedition reported the discovery of a system of 30 stars heading towards the Perlemian Trade Route in a retrograde orbit counter to the spin of the galactic disk. At its current velocity, Imperium scientists estimate it should begin to pose a shipping hazard in approximately 50,000 years.

Anaxes
Alternating between large oceans and temperate landmasses, the Anaxsi political capital of Anaxes is an underpopulated world known for its military traditions and contributions to the defense of the Republic. As with the forests of Kashyyyk or Ithor, the planet enjoys rich biodiversity, although it was the martial traditions of nearby Axum (a military bastion in its own right) that led to its eventual status as a key fortress world both protecting the approaches to what would later become the galactic capital, and contributing to the planetary-defense capabilities of other planets through military education and training.

Axum
The original capital of the star system still bearing its name, Axum was first settled roughly two thousand years before the founding of the Republic by sleeper ships launched from Coruscant. A military stronghold and capital of the pre-Republic Imperium, it was eventually eclipsed by the prestige of nearby Anaxes and became the industrial hub of the sector. Recent construction of new farms, however, have led to a noticeable increase in the local quality-of-life and a source of new exports, challenging the dominance of the high-tech industry.

Grastes
An unremarkable planet comprised primarily of toxic rock, Grastes was last surveyed in 906 ARR by the cruiser Bright Dawn. The cruiser's report contained nothing of significance that would draw government attention.

Selgon
The closest planet to the star Solis Axum, Selgon is a lava planet with a nickel-ferric core described by one Imperium captain as "a page straight out of hell." Lashed by heat and radiation from the star on its day side, it rotates slowly with the night side home to rivers of lava and erupting volcanoes. In past centuries the planet was periodically targeted for mining by speculative investors, but the efforts universally failed due to the dangers and high operating costs. Recent government science expeditions to Selgon have led to speculation that a new effort may be launched in the near future.

Phlors Rex
One of two larger stellar bodies in the Axum system, the gas giant Phlors Rex has largely been out of public consciousness for several generations. Its 18-moon system was once harvested extensively, and today the ruins of lost mining colonies and space junk can still be found here. In 908 ARR the Imperium financed construction of five outposts meant to provide services to commerce traversing the Axum system: the outpost were taken over by the military later in the year and repurposed for operations. They have since become known as the "Phlors Rex Defense Perimeter."

Phlors Regina
Although at face value much like its neighbor, Phlors Regina's moons are home to several small mining operations and a BoSS station. The mining stations here export lithium and caesium, and other moons still bear the traces of substantial mining operations. The best example of these is Phlors Regina 1, which despite its light but poisonous atmosphere still has giant pits and abandoned machinery and structures in place.

Urfon
The hellish fifth planet of the Axum system, for most of the last 25,000 years Urfon has remained unexplored and uncharted due to dangerously-high levels of radiation and electrical storms in its upper atmosphere. Only in the last six years has it become clear that the planet's inhospitable nature was due to the presence of an alien civilization, although who they are and where they came from remain mysteries Imperium scientists are still struggling to understand.

Ichium
A barren planet on the outskirts of the system, Ichium was surveyed in 906 ARR by the cruiser Bright Dawn - today better known for its discovery of the alien civilization on Urfon during the same survey mission. Like Grastes, the cruiser's report on Ichium contained little to draw the attention of the government or potential investors.