The galaxy uses three coins.
Crown. A gold coin. 1 Crown is worth 10 Marks.
Mark. A silver coin. 1 Mark is worth 10 Bits.
Bit. A copper chip.
Every power mints its own coins, but all of them are accepted almost everywhere.
A hot meal in a dock tavern costs a few Bits.
A night at a port inn costs about 1 Mark.
A small aether crystal costs about 5 Crowns.
A used skiff costs a few hundred Crowns.
A Dominion ship licence costs more than most crews earn in a year.
Nobles live in spires and estates. Servants, clerks and guards live in the crowded lower cities. Laws are strict and guards are everywhere. Magic is taught to those with money or a noble name.
Most people work long shifts in factories, mines and shipyards. Smog covers the cities. Workers vote for their councils and are proud of the revolt. Food comes from the farm world of Hesk.
Fog, crime and Rush are part of daily life. People pay the local boss for protection. Fight clubs and black markets are the main entertainment. Anything can be bought for the right price.
People live on rafts, ships and floating rocks. Crews come and go. Storms are common. Nobody asks where cargo came from.
Life is hard and quiet. People live near forts, cathedrals and hospitals. Everyone knows someone who has seen a husk. Lamps stay lit all night.
The Order of the Last Light keeps the best-known faith. It honours the light that holds back the Vhal. Other people pray to the stars, to the memory of the Old Makers or to the gods of their home world. Sailors often touch a lamp before a long voyage.
Dominion ports check licences and cargo. Union ports check for spies and nobles. Syndicate ports take bribes. Compact ports ask no questions as long as ships keep the peace.