The Vesk Empire is a martial realm far to the north-west of Kethra. Its seven core worlds are packed close together and bound by hyperlanes; around them, facing the Duchy of Insmother, lies a garrisoned rim of six frontier systems. The Empire's territory is Vesk Imperial Space.
Core worlds
Vesk: the throne-system. Talon Citadel on Vesk Prime is the imperial capital.
Kharzul: foundries and the shipyard fortress Bastion Kharzul.
Tarvok: jungle clans and an imperial hunting preserve.
Ezrakk: an ocean world of fisheries.
Dromhal: the Empire's market, and the start of its one trade lane to Insmother.
Skarn: a garrison world where the Legion trains.
Gurath: the core world nearest the Duchy, ruled by an imperial prefect.
The rim
Brakka, Kessit, Ashgrave, Varrok's Rest, Tollmar and Ruhn. No hyperlanes reach the rim; ships make the crossing on slow drives, and the rim worlds are small, hard places. The Legion keeps pickets at Fort Brakka and Watchspire Kessit.
Arms
The Empire is militant first and everything else second. The Vesk Imperial Legion holds the home systems and the frontier. The Vesk Expeditionary Fleet operates beyond the borders, as far as Osk.