The Bary (short for "the barycenter") is a quintenary star system, meaning it contains five stellar components bound by their mutual gravitational attraction. Stars Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon are all main sequence stars of spectral classes F5V, K2V, G3V, M1V, and M3V respectively. This hierarchical system can be simplified as four separate two-body problems. Stars Alpha and Beta orbit each other, as do Gamma and the closely bound Delta and Epsilon. Alpha-Beta and Gamma-Delta/Epsilon then orbit a common interstellar barycenter with a major axis of 0.247 LY.
There are few records about the circumstances that led humanity to this place. Mentions of an old-world called Terra are numerous enough for social scientists to conclude that it must be the singular common birthplace of humanity. There is, however, no clear mention of where Terra may be found in the night sky. Given the disastrous tone of these scattered logs, that could be for the best.
It's known that the colonists came all at once, thousands of years ago. Hulking megaliths of incredible construction can be found dotted across the system. While the wrecks are shrouded in mystery and enormous in scale, the foundered colony ships do not appear to have been built with technologies too alien to understand. Rather, the main question archeologists and engineers have is how vessels so impressive in construction—many of them projected to be up to one hundred kilometers long—could still be in decent condition after millennia of abandonment and decay. Empyrean Holdings—an interstellar corpro-state—lays claim to the most colossal and intact wrecks, and has built several cities inside of them.
Historians continue to piece together what fractured information they can. Do humans continue to live in other star systems, perchance in the same galaxy? What became of Terran civilization? Why make such a dangerous and lonely trek across space instead of addressing whatever was the impetus for humanity's exodus? The answers historians seek may one day be brought to light. For now, the descendants of Terra know that this is their lot.
The children of Terra are fortunate. Humans have short lifespans and are social creatures, but interstellar space is incredibly vast. The void is not favorable to regular trade and movement, much less a quick jaunt to visit loved ones. It is already challenging enough for humanity’s leaders to govern one city, nation, or planet. Attempts to manage an interstellar empire across light-years may prove impossible. However, in multi-star systems like The Bary, stars are huddled close together. Five interstellar societies emerged from the remains of the Terran Old World and now communicate regularly through high-gain radio.
Astronomical distance scales remain challenging. Diplomacy is largely a benign affair. It takes several solid years to traverse the settled world end-to-end. But despite all hurdles the universe presents, regular trade in The Bary is booming. The void is proving to be stranger and more beautiful than many had once imagined. Secrets of the The Bary’s past may yet be unveiled.
