Often in relationship to the Ring Realms there will be reference to 'Core Worlds'. These are the planets that share a similar characteristics i.e. human habitable, civilized, etc. The "core" mostly refers to the "magically adept" cultures, which interact with one another through means of teleportation. In many cases, the inhabitants of these planets don't know what a planet is and could care less. They simply know that by means of a gateway or other mechanism that they can move back and forth between the named domains. A few of the "core elite" worlds share common governance and interaction. Elsbeth's 43rd Magocracy is an example of such a "ring" of worlds that are tied together via various transport magicks. By virtue of the free travel between these hugely separated planets these magical world rings accomplish something that even far more technically advanced races cannot do.

Technical "Rings" or combines do exist. There are four main alliances named, oddly enough, the first, second, third, and fourth alliances. The first alliance, the oldest of the four is extremely advanced, and headed by the vicious techno-mage dictator Vulcindra Skybane who is a half-blood Dreel (one of the most feared of the elder races). Aarlen Frielos is the magestrix of the Fourth Alliance whose territory borders Vulcindra's. The two have clashed throughout Aarlen's life (Vulcindra is much older) but Vulcindra has never wanted to waste the resources in order to push further into Aarlen's domain. When Aarlen was captured by the Eternals, Vulcindra saw an opportunity to take a lot of territory away from the 4th Alliance, which she did. It was later when Aarlen joined the Shael Dal, that a push to reclaim those worlds took place. It was during the escalating conflict, that two other elder races, the Eddorians and Hyssta decided to push into previously human-controlled space. Vulcindra and Aarlen were forced to halt their conflict and join forces to keep from being overwhelmed. It was during this time that Vulcindra found herself captured by the Eternals after it was discovered that she had kidnapped and imprisoned a member of royal family of the Tandleau elder race. The well connected Tandleau "requested" that the Eternals "pick Vulcindra up". Which they did. Vulcindra remains an enforced ward of the eternal Sroth.

Shortly after Vulcindra's capture, through the auspices of a timelord named Trielle, Beia got involved with a small territory that bordered both the First and Fourth alliances, and was strategically positioned for trade with many races. A family known only as "The Cartell" had built a powerful empire there through many forms of deceit and blackmail--they in fact had managed not be absorbed into either of the two aforementioned entities through various payoffs and dead-man switches they had organized. Using her shape-changing powers, and calling upon the resources of her many friends, Beia was able to undermine and finally take over this ancient house of criminals. She eventually gained enough control and influence to head up the territory which was simply dubbed the "Trade alliance". (Also referred to as the 3rd Alliance.)The Trade alliance now acts as an intermediary between Vulcindra's and Aarlen's controlled territories. It is within this territory that Bronawyn Shadowstalker Felspar now does much of her business.
See Also:  Alliances (galactic), Band Of The Crescent Moon, Charon, Crowninshield, Elsbeth, dreel, elder, elder races, eternals, First Alliance, Frielos, Aarlen, Hyssta, Hyssta Combine, magocracy, mage, Mephista, Sroth, metapathy, magestrix, magic, Skybane, Vulcindra, Scale Lords, Shadowstalker, Bronawyn, Shael Dal, Trackazoid, Targalle, Beia {Regaura} (Queen), teleportation, timelord