Periphery

Overview: The Periphery
"The Periphery" is the term used for all space outside the Inner Sphere. Including a number of minor nations (relative to the Successor States) and countless independant worlds, obvservation posts, bases, research labs, and space stations, its total population is still quite small. Notable Periphery nations and independant planets include:


 * Fiefdom of Randis
 * Magistracy of Canopus
 * Outworlds Alliance
 * Rim Worlds Republic
 * Taurian Concordat
 * Tortuga Domains

History
After the fall of the Star League and during much of the Succession Wars, the Periphery was cut off from major communication with the Successor States and the Inner Sphere in general.

Culture
The Periphery is typically considered backwards and uncultured compared to the various Successor States, and this reputation is not wholely undeserved. The extended lack of communication or significant trade badly hurt the Periphery during the Succession Wars, and a number of colonies died out entirely. Many have not recovered even in 3067, at the start of the Jyhad. Several Periphery states (such as the Magistracy of Canopus and Taurian Concordat, in their Trinity Alliance with the Capellan Confederation) are now as advanced as most Successor States, and are merely suffering the growing pains of trying to upgrade their infrastructure to match their potential.

Pirates
Another generally-held prejudice against the Periphery by many in the Inner Sphere is that it is a haven for pirates, brigands, bandits, renegade house units, rogue mercenary units, and other generally bad people; and unlike other prejudices, this one is entirely true. The general lack of policing in space beyond the Inner Sphere means that it can be a haven to those who are unwilling or unable to follow the rules of the major nations. Many pirates and bandit kings have even formed minor nations in the Periphery (such as the Tortugae Domains) which have survived for decades.