In Spelljammer: Adventures in Space, Wildspace is a reflection of real-world space, except it's populated by magical flying ships, all manner of alien creatures, and advanced civilizations. For spelljamming adventurers, the asteroid city of Bral serves as a rest stop between galactic adventures and as a hub for trade, quests, and old-fashioned troublemaking. 

Before disembarking and taking a stroll through Bral, it's essential to know what to expect. Here's a primer on the asteroid city:

• A Brief History of Bral
• Living in Bral
• Creating Characters From Bral

A Brief History of Bral

Founded nearly two centuries ago, the city of Bral was once a haven for thieves and ruffians. And while it still serves as one, Bral has evolved into a burgeoning trading post for its intergalactic clientele. When the city was founded by the legendary space pirate, Captain Bral, it was little more than an outpost for various outlaws to congregate while not away on swashbuckling adventures. Soon, some savvy merchants discovered the shanty town and figured that these brigands would need access to goods and services while they stayed on Bral. As the word of this economically booming new city spread, more and more dignified folk made their way to Bral to find their fortune.

Eventually, this settlement caught the attention of the enterprising Captain Cozar, who began consolidating power through a series of strategic alliances and business deals until he held enough power to call himself the first Prince of Bral. When he passed, the rulership of Bral passed from Cozar to his son, Frun, who squandered the powerful position his father had established on a lavish lifestyle. When Frun died, the rule was again passed to his firstborn son, Calar. Unfortunately for Calar, he was found dead, floating in the vacuum of Wildspace outside the city not long after being crowned. This caused the rule to be passed to his brother, Andru, who maintains control of the city today. 

Since it became a critical intergalactic trading post, Bral has also flourished into a center for political intrigue. Not only are the nobles, criminal organizations, and the prince's estate vying among each other for power, but foreign dignitaries have sought Bral as a neutral meeting ground for diplomatic missions. Suffice it to say, Bral has changed immensely from when it was first founded. However, one thing remains the same. Just like when the outpost was nothing more than a hive of scum and villainy, Bralians are expected to look out for themselves.

Living in Bral

Different things draw denizens of Wildspace to Bral—or as locals call it, the Rock. As a cosmic trading hub, one can find just about anything they need, regardless of its legality. Due to its infamous reputation, most travelers of the intergalactic causeways know that in Bral, there are two main rules to follow: keep your nose out of other's business, and more than anything, money talks.

When arriving in Bral, you will not likely find the royal palace's guards patrolling the streets. Law enforcement is certainly a thing in Bral, but it is reserved for the worst crimes, like arson and murder. Petty theft, dealing of illegal goods, and even battery are rarely reported to the authorities. Bralians usually take retribution into their own hands. Don't expect to go on any killing sprees without consequence, though. More serious crimes are reported to the city's three magistrates, who each preside over their respective part of Bral—the Low City, Middle City, and the High City. The Magistrate's Watch is then tasked with investigating and "handling" wrongdoers. 

Because of the lack of law enforcement, most business owners turn to shadier means to protect their businesses. Four primary criminal organizations have their hands in various day-to-day operations in Bral, each requiring an "insurance" fee to extend its protection. But, despite the lawless nature of these organizations, they tend to honor the reimbursement of funds if a client were to suffer damages at the hands of a rival guild.

Your experience in Bral—whether simply docking for a visit or living long-term—will likely depend on which part of the city you're in. As mentioned above, three different areas make up the city of Bral, each having its own defining characteristics.

High City

The High City is for the hoity-toity folk of Bral. Located on the trailing edge of the asteroid, this ritzy area houses noble estates, the city's finest inns, a library full of magical texts, temples to various gods, and most importantly, the royal palace—Starhaven. As the seat of Prince Andru, Starhaven is a grand palace renovated to lavish elegance by his indulgent father, Frun. Found in a beautiful walled compound overlooking Lake Bral—oh yes, the rich have lakefront property even in space—Starhaven is meant as a message to both the people and visitors of Bral, reminding them who, in fact, runs the show.

Middle City

A modest step below the High City, in both literal and figurative terms, the Middle City is the economic heart of Bral. Beyond the bustling Great Market—which is packed with vendors hawking their wares—the Middle City is home to many thriving businesses that make the most of Bral's position as a hub for adventurers. Need a star chart to map your next journey? Head to Elmandar's! Looking for help recovering a lost artifact? Gaspar's Reclamations is the place to go! Hoping to have private security during your stay? Valkan's Legion can help you out!

Low City

At the leading edge of the asteroid, the Low City is where the working class of Bral eke out a living. Among a slew of taverns, boarding houses, and various shops, citizens of the Low City go about their day as any would in their situation: do what it takes to get ahead. When compared to the relatively lawless Middle City, the Low City is virtually unpoliced, which means the area is rife with beggars, peddlers, and thieves looking for their next mark. That said, most of the crime here is part of the four organized factions, which means there is still a code of conduct among these unsupervised streets.

Beyond the Happy Beholder, a thriving tavern owned by a friendly beholder, the Low City's main draw is the docks. Placed strategically at the front end of the asteroid, these docks serve as the primary arrival and departure destination for people and goods moving to and from Bral.

Other Areas

Though most who visit Bral won't travel beyond the Low, Middle, and, if they're lucky enough, High City, there are less-accessible areas of the city that may be of interest to certain adventurers. As with most things in Wildspace, Bral is bisected by a gravity plane. That means you can walk on the top half—where the city of Bral is located—just as easily as you could walk "upside down" on the bottom half. Unfortunately, the bottom half of the asteroid is strictly off-limits to visitors as it houses crops and Bral's military outpost.

For those brave enough, there's also the asteroid's interior, a cavernous maze of twisting tunnels. There isn't much to find in the depths of these tunnels, though a trip to the belly of the asteroid may be necessary if you're looking to meet away from prying ears...

Creating Characters From Bral

As a melting pot of travelers from across the multiverse, Bral is home to a vast array of citizens from different races and cultures. The neighborhood of Gifftown is home to many spacefaring hippo-like folk. Thri-kreen and hadozee can also be found throughout the city as citizens and reputable business owners, and a multitude of other intelligent species find solace here as a respite from their multiversal travels.

As a hive of conflict and excitement, it's not surprising that Bral would ignite the spark of adventure in those that stay for any significant amount of time. If you're looking to create a character that hails from the lawless city of Bral, consider the following homebrew backstory hooks:

Bral Character Backstory Ideas

Chart a Course for Spelljammer

Spelljammer: Adventures in Space releases on August 16. The three-book set introduces new player races, backgrounds, and spells, as well as a menagerie of alien creatures. Find out what it takes to journey throughout Wildspace and the Astral Sea and embark on an adventure unlike any you've ever experienced!

Mike Bernier (@arcane_eye) is the founder of Arcane Eye, a site focused on providing useful tips and tricks to all those involved in the world of D&D. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his house.