The Plux Galaxy is full of aether, a thin magic current that fills open space. Brass ships with sails travel on it between worlds. Mages draw spells from it. Aether crystals store it as fuel. They are mined on only a few worlds, and everyone wants them.
Gilded Dominion. The mage-nobles of the Bright Core. They control crystal refining and ship licences. They want magic to stay in noble hands.
Iron Union. The factory workers of the Forge Arm. They build rune engines that use crystals without a mage.
Vesper Syndicate. The crime cartel of the Low Spiral. It sells Rush, a crystal drug, to both sides.
Free Drift Compact. Pirates and free traders of the Outer Drift. They raid everyone.
Order of the Last Light. A small knightly order at the edge of the galaxy. It guards the Rim Gates.
The Dominion and the Union are one incident away from war. Both claim the crystal mines of Tarrow and Oldmark. The Syndicate sells guns and Rush to both. The Compact raids the supply ships of both. A single shot at the wrong mine could start the fighting.
Long ago the Old Makers sealed the Vhal outside the galaxy with seven Rim Gates. The Order keeps a light burning on each gate. In year 1041 the light on Rim Gate Seven went out. Since then, ships near the Dark Rim vanish. Some are found drifting, with crews that walk and obey but no longer speak. The Order says the seals are failing. Few people listen.
The Unbound are a secret cult with members in every faction. They serve the Vhal and want every Rim Gate opened. Nobody knows how many there are.
Most parties crew a small ship and take work. Common jobs are hauling cargo, smuggling, hunting bounties, guarding convoys and digging in Old Maker ruins. Players can pick a side in the war, play the sides against each other, or chase the truth about Rim Gate Seven. The tone is fun, fast and dangerous.