Tendou

An alternate dimension that serves as the main method of long-distance travel. A compressed space, a few days of travel within it could equate to weeks, months, even years of travel in realspace. The only ways in and out of it, however, are via powerful magitech facilities known as the Tenmon.
  The Tenmon are large superstructures built in space that fuse magic with advanced technology. They create portals that lead both in and out of Tendou, but because of the expenses required in maintaining these, travelers wishing to enter the realm must often pay a toll to the ones maintaining it if they wish to enter, along with often having to undergo inspections to ensure no contraband is going in or out. Most Tendou gates are controlled and maintained by the The Imotaiyo Federation, with many magically inclined Northerns using it as an opportunity to find steady, gainful employment.
  The realm itself is an aetherial, light-blue realm lacking in gravity and illuminated by gas clouds. It is populated by creatures often described as unnatural and horrific, along with groups of pirates that regularly establish artificial habitats to serve as coves for them to operate from. It is generally advised that one be armed or be accompanied by escorts when traveling through.
  When trying to reach systems without a Tenmon gate, a method is used to create a temporary gate within Tendou that will lead to realspace. Because of the danger of Tendou, a proper gate will soon be made in the system and the temporary one is either dismantled or left to be destroyed.