Star Wars_ Edge of the Empire Rule Book

The Colonies

T

he Colonies form the first ring of major galactic ex-
ploration and expansion beyond the Core Worlds.
The Colonies are the second most densely populated
region after the Core Worlds themselves, and magni-
tudes greater than the galaxy at large. The Colonies
extend in a semicircular pattern around the similarly
explored Core Worlds region.
Settlement of the Colonies started before the es-
tablishment of the Republic. Explorers and colonists
extended the power and ambition of the Core Worlds
from which they came. Primitive generation ships pre-
dated hyperspace capable craft, making the coloniza-
tion effort all the more remarkable. Due to the limi-
tations of travel and communications, many worlds
broke away from their original rulers within a few gen-
erations. The ongoing conflicts between the Colonies
and their home worlds proved to be a driving force in
the establishment of a galactic government.

COLONIAL POWER

Though the region still struggles for the prestige it feels

it deserves, the Colonies hold some of the wealthi-

est worlds in the galaxy. Compared to the outer ter-

ritories, the Colonies are culturally advanced and an

economic powerhouse in their own right, though the

Core is reluctant to ever acknowledge this fact. The

region has long been the source of political strife and

change in the history of the Republic. The Colonies

believe themselves to be at the economic forefront in

the galaxy, combining the power and wealth with the

raw materials needed throughout the galaxy.

With the development of the Colonies came the

advancement of galactic standards and laws aimed

towards curbing abuses of

power both governmental and corpo-

rate. Much of this was due to major galactic struggles

often erupting from conflicts with and within the Colo-

nies themselves. Due to this reputation, the Galactic

Empire keeps careful watch over the region, dealing

harshly with any troublesome areas, so as not to let

anti-government sentiment grow into a major threat

to Imperial power. A great percentage of Colonies'

megacorporations and other operations greatly ben-

efit from Imperial contracts orchestrated to keep the

region happy and under control. These efforts keep

the region in line, but have not stopped a growing

resentment towards the Imperial government that is

building beneath the surface.

NOTABLE LOCATIONS

The following are areas of interest within the Colonies,

at or before the rise of the Empire.

Arkania: A cold, tundra-covered world located between

the Perlemian Trade Route and the Hydian Way, Arkania

is the home world of the native Arkanians and their ge-

netically modified off-shoots, who are treated as lesser

beings. The Arkanians are scientifically minded, but of-

ten unscrupulous in their dealings and experiments.

Balmorra: Located at the very edge between the

Colonies and the Core Worlds, Balmorra is a heavily

industrialized world. Known for producing arms for

the Imperial Army, Balmorra is one of the primary

manufacturing locations for the AT-ST walker.

Byblos: Another major manufacturer of military

equipment, Byblos is a heavily populated world on

the Corellian Run. The planet's unique architecture

THE GALAXY

EDCE OF THE EMPIRE