Unknown Regions

The **Unknown Regions**, existed in the far reaches of the galactic west, beyond the Outer Rim. Despite its mystique, the Unknown Regions were fully mapped yet remained largely unexplored, setting them apart from the predominantly uncharted Wild Space.

This vast expanse was broadly characterized by its lack of connection to the established network of reliable hyperspace routes criss-crossing the galaxy. Areas within the Unknown Regions were distinct for not being part of the well-known galactic community, or not recognizing Coruscant as the central hub of civilization. They were also distinct for not having been affiliated with the Galactic Republic before the onset of the Galactic Civil War. Beyond the bounds of the Unknown Regions lay the Galactic Rim and the encircling hyperspace barrier.

In the era of the Galactic Empire, the nearby dwarf galaxy known as Firefist, situated beyond the galactic disk, was designated as part of the Unknown Regions in Imperial charts, despite its location outside the main galaxy.

## History

The domain of civilization nominally extended to the very edge of the galactic disk—exemplified by the Corporate Sector's claim to territory reaching the terminus of the Tingel Arm. A meticulous mapping of the galactic disk and certain satellite galaxies revealed a conspicuous omission of thirty-seven systems, including Kamino, marked by gravitational anomalies discernible even from a distance.

Within the vast expanse known as the "Unknown Regions,” uncharted territories nestled amidst dense nebulae, globular clusters, and the galactic halos. An estimated 15% of the galaxy's stellar mass resided in these enigmatic realms. Various governments sent scouts into the Unknown Regions in repeated attempts to unveil its mysteries. General Wedge Antilles humorously quipped, “If you continue to map the Unknown Regions, you'll have to call them something else.” In the early days of the Galactic Empire, the Anawa colonization corporation offered refuge by guiding settlers into the Unknown Regions, where the corporation assumed administrative and policing responsibilities for newly discovered habitable planets.

Situated to the "galactic west" of Bakura, Bilbringi, and the Imperial Remnant, the Unknown Regions encompassed a unique section of the galactic disk. Notable powers in this realm included the Chiss Ascendancy, the Ssi-ruuvi Imperium, the Vagaari, the Killik Colony, and the Empire of the Hand. Additionally, it was home to distinctive species such as the Croke, Ebruchi, and Eickarie. Despite being isolated from the broader galaxy, these species interacted and fostered an interstellar culture distinct from that of the Galactic Republic or the Empire. Communication and trade were sporadic, yet species like the Lugubraa found roles in the services of larger powers across the Unknown Regions. Shared threats, such as Mnggal-Mnggal, compelled disparate species like the Chiss, Lugubraa, and others to unite against encroachments.

One theory proposed by a prominent scientist posited that a mass of dark matter intersected the galaxy in this region, causing gravitational anomalies hindering navigation. However, the lack of any tidal disruption of the galaxy's spiral form, as shown in Jedi Archives, raised doubts about this supposed dark mass. Alternative theories included “hyperspatial gravitic ripples” or the intentional construction of a barrier, possibly by the Celestials, to thwart the expanding Infinite Empire or contain Mnggal-Mnggal. What remained certain was the existence of a web of hyperspace anomalies known as “the tangle,” precisely at the midline of the circumferential hyperspace barrier enveloping the galaxy, impeding galactic exploration by the Republic for millennia.

It was evident that determined travelers could navigate much of the Unknown Regions. Corellian traders had been in contact with the Chiss for years before their “re-discovery,” Force-sensitive navigators could reach the planet Ilum, and the Rakata homeworld of Lehon was visited by a Republic naval task force during the Jedi Civil War. Additionally, frontier spaceport worlds in the known galaxy, such as Terminus, were frequently visited by transports and traders from the Unknown Regions.

Among the distinctive locales within the Unknown Regions, Iokath was a colossal artificial sphere dedicated to weapon construction. The Nihil Retreat comprised twelve stellar clusters housing the Perann Nebula and Rhand. During epochs like the Great Galactic War, Cold War, and Galactic War, influential species like the Chiss collaborated with galactic powers, including the Sith Empire. The Chiss Ascendancy engaged in diplomatic talks with the Republic and maintained relations with the Galactic Empire, the New Republic, the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, and the second Galactic Empire led by Darth Krayt.

### Imperial exploration

As part of the diplomatic ties with the First Galactic Empire, the Chiss Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn, hailing from these uncharted realms, received orders to lead the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Admonitor into the Unknown Regions during the Galactic Civil War. Ostensibly assigned to a routine mapping expedition, Thrawn's true mission was to explore and assert Imperial dominance over entire sectors within the Unknown Regions. During this period, Thrawn seemingly encountered the extragalactic Yuuzhan Vong and went on to establish a clandestine dominion known as the Empire of the Hand. Military installations, shipyards, and laboratories were erected under Thrawn's command.

Following the conclusion of the Galactic Civil War, normalized relations between the Chiss Ascendancy and the New Republic took shape. The availability of Chiss star-charts played a pivotal role in essentially eliminating the uncharted portion of the Unknown Regions within the galactic disk. Emperor Palpatine dispatched at least several Executor-class Star Dreadnoughts to the Unknown Regions as part of the Imperial expansion.

By 21 ABY, a crisis unfolded as the Super Star Destroyer Intimidator of the Black Fleet was discovered in battle remains after a prolonged search, marking a significant event in the region.