Illium
Asari Trade World on the Terminus Frontier
Illium was a hot garden world colonized by asari corporate interests as a trade hub between the Terminus Systems and the Asari Republics, where relaxed customs laws made almost any good available. During the Reaper War its wealthy, well armed leaders mounted a fierce defense that slowed the invaders.
Illium was a hot, massive garden world that served as an entrepot between the lawless Terminus Systems and the Asari Republics, drawing traders, fortune seekers, and corporations from across the galaxy. Though it was settled and run by asari corporate interests, it was not officially an asari world, a legal fiction that let it relax the strict customs laws of Council space and rival the freewheeling markets of the Terminus. The world later became a notable holdout during the Reaper War, where its paranoid, heavily armed leadership bloodied the invading fleet.
A garden world built for trade#
Illium was a classic garden world developed to serve as an entrepot between the Terminus Systems and the Asari Republics. To support that trade, the normally stringent customs laws of Council space governing product safety, proscribed materials, and the trafficking of sapient beings were deliberately relaxed. Officially Illium was not an asari world but a colony operated by asari corporate interests, a distinction that gave it the same legal latitude enjoyed by the human corporate research enclaves of Noveria.
The world itself was hot and massive. Ground settlement was practical only at the higher polar latitudes, while in more equatorial regions the population lived in towering arcology skyscrapers raised to escape the surface heat. Illium was one of the youngest asari colonies, settled during the 7th Expansion Wave, and was young enough that the first child born on the world was only reaching middle age.
Commerce and lax law#
As a commerce planet sitting close to the Terminus Systems, Illium saw a constant flow of new cultures and goods. Its lax legal regulations, necessary to stay competitive with the unregulated Terminus markets, meant that drugs were legal so long as they were properly labeled, and a visitor could buy nearly any kind of weapon, technology, or even indentured servants. Newcomers were warned to avoid signing anything, since contracts on Illium could carry harsh and binding terms.
For all its permissiveness, Illium was still an asari world and far from lawless. Very few quarians ever visited, as the world did not permit the Migrant Fleet to enter its star system. The principal locale was the gleaming trade port of Nos Astra, and other known sites included Manjoros Plaza and the Saefos Valley.
The Reaper War#
Illium met the Reaper invasion with a surprising amount of resistance. Its leaders were intensely protective of their fortunes and wielded influence across both Terminus and Citadel space, and they had used that reach to acquire a large defense fleet and a high number of fission weapons. In the brief space battle that followed, they made an unconventional choice, directing those weapons against the Reaper fleet's troop transports rather than against the near impervious capital ships. As a result the inevitable ground invasion was slowed to a crawl as the Reapers were forced to manufacture more troops to replace those lost before they could land.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Illium in Mass Effect?
- Illium was a hot, massive garden world that served as an entrepot between the lawless Terminus Systems and the Asari Republics. It was settled and run by asari corporate interests, drawing traders, fortune seekers, and corporations from across the galaxy.
- Why were Illium's laws so relaxed?
- Though run by asari, Illium was not officially an asari world, a legal fiction that let it relax the strict customs laws of Council space and compete with the freewheeling Terminus markets. This gave it the same legal latitude enjoyed by the human corporate research enclaves of Noveria, loosening rules on product safety, proscribed materials, and the trafficking of sapient beings.
- What could you buy on Illium?
- Illium offered visitors nearly any good, with drugs legal so long as they were properly labeled, and weapons, technology, and even indentured servants available for purchase. Newcomers were warned to avoid signing anything, since contracts on Illium could carry harsh and binding terms.
- What was Illium's environment and main city like?
- Illium was hot and massive, with ground settlement practical only at higher polar latitudes while equatorial populations lived in towering arcology skyscrapers raised to escape the surface heat. Its principal locale was the gleaming trade port of Nos Astra, with other known sites including Manjoros Plaza and the Saefos Valley.
- How did Illium fight back during the Reaper War?
- Illium's leaders, influential across both Terminus and Citadel space, had acquired a large defense fleet and a high number of fission weapons. In the brief space battle they directed those weapons against the Reaper fleet's troop transports rather than the near impervious capital ships, slowing the ground invasion to a crawl as the Reapers had to manufacture more troops to replace those lost.
Gallery
Images via Mass Effect Wiki
Sources
- WikiIllium — Mass Effect Wiki entry
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