The Orion Mechanism

Many people have a fictional universe living in their head, and this is mine. The Orion Mechanism is a science fantasy setting that I've used as the backdrop of a handful of story ideas over the years.

The Orion Mechanism does not have a concept of "canon", as I value it as a starting point rather than a set of rules that I need to adhere to. Basically, I'm a "story > lore" person.

Timeline

Ancient history

(Billions of years ago)
  • The Orion Mechanism is constructed.
  • Emergence of the first Kryon.

Quiet era

(Millions of years ago)
  • The current holy planet of Kryo is first sanctified.
  • The first modern Starfarer Flotilla breaks from Kryo.
  • Xantans achieve interstellar travel and establish a small empire radiating out from Endus.
  • The unnammed Xantan empire is destroyed by the Orion Mechanism.

Empire era

(Tens of thousands of years ago)
  • Various species now considered common achieve spaceflight.
  • Empires are estalished, interact, and inevitably fall. This era is characterised by frequent wars.
  • Eventually, things slow down, lines become established, and the various surviving empires eventually become assimilated into the Union.

Union era

(Two thousand years ago)
  • Under the relative stability of the Union, investigations are launched into the nature of the Orion Mechanism. Though many losses are incurred, a full scale extinction response is averted.
  • The sacking of Kryo leads to the discovery of the location of the Orion Core.
  • The Union Civil War sees the greatest recorded loss of life not directly caused by the Orion Mechanism. The Orion Core is destroyed. This is the setting of Phoenix Wing.

Modern era

(The last 350 years)
  • The survivors of the Union Civil War reorganise into various small independent states.
  • The Orion Agreement is signed, declaring a galaxy-wide commitment to peace and non-intervention with the Orion Mechanism.
  • The IAGL is founded, and quickly becomes the most popular sport in the galaxy.