Peripheral Territories
Peripheral territories are territories far removed from the core territories of a civilization or faction. Whether they are borderlands left to fend for themselves against raiders, planets on the outer edge of a galactic civilization, or poor colonies on the edge of an imperial faction, peripheral territories offer worldbuilders interesting elements to explore. These peripheral territories are often less wealthy and less well protected from both internal and external threats. They often stand in stark contrast the core territories.
| Synonyms: distant territories |
| Example Mythonyms: the Outer Worlds, the Rim, the borderlands, Her Majesties’ Imperial Colonies |
Designing Fictional Peripheral Territories
Archetypes
Overview
Peripheral territories are defined by their separation from the core territories of a civilization, nation, or other faction. This separation is measured not just in physical distance from the political center of the faction (although peripheral territories are often far removed and on the outer edges of a civilization), but also in the wealth, culture, and relative safety of those that live there. Peripheral territories may have once been their own factions that were conquered, or they may have a history of rebellion against the core territories.
Factions
Peripheral territories are often depicted as being home to criminal factions, as they may have less oversight from more centralized governments. This may manifest itself in corrupt officials and the presence of bandit factions or gang factions. If the peripheral territory is not well defended, raider factions and pirate factions may be operating. And if the peripheral territory is adjacent to a rival civilization at war, this territory may be under constant threat of being attacked and invaded.
