Spelljamming in the Helix is colored by its Crylonthian origins, and the nature of the Helix multiverse. Sailing on the Sepel ja'maal (Unseen Sea) has developed slightly different in the Helix than from the dimensions based more tightly on the worlds of AD&D box sets. Spelljamming consists of two arts, that of Normal flight-in the material dimension, and extra-dimensional travel that allows the speedy travel between two places. These two types of travel in the Phlogiston are known as sailing(Phanejul) and dimensional rifting (Ptahgahn).
The Phlogiston is twisted into a spiral known as the Helix. It is a stormy flux (phane) of powerful elemental energies. Spelljamming helms draw on these energies. Of course to sail directly into the Phlogiston would tear a ship assunder, and thus they are limited to sailing on the Feyphane, a current of invisible ether that flows through the Phlogiston and connects the dimensional gates that allow exit and entry to crystal spheres.
The Maelstrom is a mobile vortex that is one of the chief hazards in navigating the Phlogiston, and can be described as a dagger in the heart of the Sepel ja'maal (The Unseen Sea). Its existence makes long distance voyages across the helix dangerous.
Helix Spelljammers work from helms that are magical resonators drawing on the energies of the fluxes that the ships navigate. They also need a power source other than these fluxes as a means of control of energy surges. There are two types of travel in the Phlogiston. There is sailing (Phanejul) and there is dimensional rifting (Ptahgahn). The latter is much faster being instantaneous travel across vast stretches of the Helix, but it has its own costs and hazards. Mana (Spellpoints) is required from the astrogator only in navigating within the crystal spheres and in conducting Ptahgahn and Talihihe ("The Hiccup"-small dimensional rifting across a world). Within an atmosphere, the Spelljammer relies on the flux of elemental air that is in the atmosphere riding along on air currents. This flux is sufficient as the ship sails at speeds that are much slower than those used in the Phlogiston. Phanejul speeds in an atmosphere is normally in the range of 60 miles per hour.
Series Helms: In the Helix these are helms used to coordinate fleets of ships from a single hub helm. These were developed by the Illithids before the invention of technomantic navigators and have largely been abandoned by that race in more recent millenium. Illithid battle barges have series helms on them to co-ordinate the small fighters launched from them crewed by technomantic pilots.
Pool Helms: In the helix these helms rely on a pool of dark energy or Netherphane as a source of power.
Orbus helms: This is a helm formed from a type of Vadjik (Beholder) known as the Orbus Astrogator. The Illithids created the various strains of the Beholders as servitors including the Orbus Astrogator many millenia ago. In time the Vadjik revolted and through a war renegotiated their position forming the fourth member of the Quadripartite Alliance (formerly the Triple Alliance). Unlike most beholders that contain ether in their bodies, Orbus Astrogators contain Netherphane and thus are similar to Pool Helms.
Forges: These marvels of technomancy essentially are tiny helixes, lattices constructed in mirror of the universe, with Nether, Phlogiston, Ether and Astral components. (No there are no tiny worlds with iddy biddy people). The most powerful of the helms know in existence, they have the side effect of generating as waste, pellets of iron. As starstone is rare on most worlds of the Helix, this is essentially a device that generates money. They also are unstable and with even minor damage to their structural integrity have a tendency to go BOOM.
Furnaces: These are the most inefficient form of helm, for they require the continual infusion of fuel to maintain their power. Iron ore, crystals and other magical resonators are shovelled in to the furnace like coal.
Astral Helms (Crown of Stars): Little is known by Abiesha of these helms as they are not used by the Illithids.
Lifejammers: They are like furnaces except their fuel is lifeforces, living creatures, normally animals are placed in large pod like constructions, and the desiccated corpses or later removed. Lifejammers are odd in that they normally do not use mana but rather suck attributes (Strength, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity and Charisma) from selected victims. The effects of the attribute sucking chambers of lifejammer are not USUALLY permanent.
Souljammers: A more hideous form of Lifejammer, they require the lifeforces of sentient creatures. Like the Lifejammers, they also require pods and attribute sucking chambers.
Artifact Helms: The most prized of helms, they are powered by powerful artifacts called Starkeys, and need no infusions of outside energy or mana even to Ptahgahn and Talihihe . Only the extinct Crylonthians were able to figure out how to construct these devices.
The Material Dimension is divided into the Outer Fringe of the Helix Spiral and the Inner Fringe (see below). The Outer Fringe is divided into several zones or hegemonies which fall under the influence of several interstellar races.
The Hegemony of the Illithids.The Illithids are one of the four main races of the Pelai Alliance known to its participants as the Quadripartite League. Until their transformation, the Illithids were a race of elegant humanoids. The homesphere of the Illithids was Phaer-Udel and their homeworld within, Phaerinx.
The Hegemony of the Siderthe. The Siderthe are a squat race of homunculi-like beings. They are sometimes called Soul Parasites and are said to be reincarnated in the form of other races, particularly elves. Before their transformation they were said to be of a race akin to elves, and were called the Celestial Eldarrin. Some untransformed members of this race are said to survive. The homesphere of the Siderthe was Chande and their howmeworld within Chandros.
The Hegemony of the Ufrai . The Ufrai are a parasitic race who until their transformation were a race related to dragons. The homesphere of the Ufrai was Theska and their homeworld withing Theskaile.
The Hegemony of the Varghaz . The Varghaz are one of the four main races of the Pelai Alliance known to its participants as the Quadripartite League. They are shapeshifters. There original form is said to be so unspeakably ugly that even Illithids look good by comparison. They are said to be the product of Illithid bio-magic. Their homesphere is known as The Varghe.
Hegemony of the Ailcynna. Little is known about this race except they are powerful masters of illusion, charm and enchantment. They seem to have an appetite for blood, and are called "Space Vampires" by their enemies. The homesphere of the Ailcynna is known Darksphere.
Hegemony of the Tsandri. The Tsandri (Dark Angels) are one of the four main races of the Pelai alliance. They are said by some to be a race of demons originally from another Multiverse. Others claim them to be a product of illithid bio-magic. Their homesphere is known to some as Tsan and others as Grell. Little else is know about them except they are sometimes called "Flying Brains" for some unknown reason.
The Hegemony of the Vadjik. The Vadjik (The Beholders) are one of the Four main races of the Pelai alliance. They are known as the Eye Tyrants and are said to have a number of sub-races and forms. They are said to have been created by the biomagics of the Illithids. The homesphere of the Vadjik is Vad-Uldun.
Hegemony of the Neogi. The Neogi (Devil Arachnids) are a dark race said to serve the Great Old Ones. Little is known about them except that they are said to be without pity or mercy. The term Neogi is from the Phaerinz phrase for New Enemy. The homesphere of the Neogi is not known.
Hegemony of the Zenoptera. The Zenoptera (Soul Eaters) are said to have once dwelled in the Nether Realms but escaped into the Material Dimension and established a small hegemony. They are allies to the Illithids but not formally part of the Pelai. Their homesphere is called Zeno.
The Inner Fringe This is a vast ribbon of the helix that borders on all the above hegemonies, who collectively are known as the Outer Fringe. It is also known as the Sundered Worlds, because it is a zone of contention and dispute among the interstellars. This area makes up nearly one third of the Helix and there are some minor interstellar races that roam this section of space.
The spheres of ithe Inner Fringe include: the Prime Junction an area claimed by the Quadripartite Alliance (Pelai).
In the center of the ribbon lie the Sundered Worlds and area long the object of raiding by Interstellars and proxy wars between the Hegemonies.
On the opposite end of the ribbon lies the Uncharted Dominions . These have proved very dangerous to exploration.
