Centuries ago the peoples of the galaxy all lived on the same planet. They lived lives and died, for many, many millenia. Many discoveries were made, fire, gunpowder, automobiles, radio and computers. But all these were ancient technologies compared to the single greatest discovery ever: immortality.
When discovered, it was extrememly expensive. Only the few were granted this gift. As they lived, they gained more knowledge, and experience and became increasingly richer, and more powerful.
Their minority grew in rank, but the rate of mortal births were outpacing them. It began to become clear immortality would be reserved for the privilaged.
Many mortals did not accept their gravebound fates. A revolution broke out, and the scourge of war infested the entire solar system. Immortals saw chances to gain power, and pitted armies of mortals, paid with the promise of immortality, against eachother.
Over time the solar war claimed billions of lives. The infrastructure needed for immortality, known as "cyonics", began to meet the number of those who were still living. Interstellar travel began to reveal newfound caches of rare elements and materials, required for phases of immortality, hidden by the stars.
Not soon enough for trillions of anient souls, all were able to drink the luxury of immortality. The last of the ancients faded away, and the threat of death was no more than a miasma of instinct.
A new intergalactic commonwealth was formed, known as the Pax Eternia Confederation. It's main goal was to promote peace and trade. It lasted for centuries. Corporations recieved charters to exploit new resources. Neoreligions recieved charters to explore the metaphysical, and to search for extra-terrestrial life. Governments recieved promises of sovereignty.
Then, it all fell apart. The vastness of the galaxy weakened the forces holding the confederation together. Old grudges continued pinpoint sabotages and assassinations. Trade organizations needed their turf. NeoReligions needed their freedom. Governments needed their respect.
Many planets were first terraformed by drone colonies, sent via cannon launched pods known as hyperpods, for their near lightspeed transportation, and later for their tolerance of post-lightspeed acceleration through launch gates. Once it was calculated when a planet would be habitable, colonistars, life supporting colony starships, were sent, with various corporations, neoreligions and government agencies on board, to arrive at roughly the same time as terraformation was complete.
This is Planet Sona Prime.
