The Cathedral Galaxy
The Universe
- Working title: "Cathedral"
- Genre: far sci-fi
- Probable length: short story collection
- Influences: Foundation (Asimov), The Starry Rift (Tiptree), Convergent Series (Sheffield), "Homeworld" (Relic Entertainment)
Great Galactic Map
Civilizations span the Cathedral Galaxy; life, though sparse, is not uncommon. At least two hundred and seventeen sentient species inhabit the galaxy. Each of those species developed a rudimentary capability for superluminal travel within a single thousand-year period - a phenomenon that has intrigued the philosophers of the realms for generations.
With the advent of superluminal travel, each species soon discovered the network of Channels traversing the galaxy, allowing near-instantaeous travel from Channel Anchor to Channel Anchor. The giant artifacts spoke of a precursor civilization - but where are they now? Their ruins, gargantuan structures on planetary scales, float dead in the Burial Grounds or the Sea of Relics, but no explorers have ever located their ruins on a planet. The only unexplored portions of the galaxy seem uninhabitable: the vast Far Reaches, and the irradiated Cathedral at the galactic core...
The Stories
Between Wrecks
A loner on a skiff, drifting through the Burial Grounds in search of ancient derelicts to salvage, reveals a secret of Galactic importance. This story serves as exposition for the Cathedral Galaxy universe. (Warning: this character curses a lot.)