Null Expanse

The Null Expanse is not a region in the ordinary sense. It is the ground where the world thins against the Void: terrain that looks incomplete, silent pits, roads that vanish, structures that cannot be approached, a horizon line that does not behave, and a steady weakening of the feeling that things are real.

For centuries criminals were cast into the Void here through the gates — the punishment called the Void Exile. In time some of the exiled came back, and society answered their return with fear and contempt, branding them the Diminished.

The Expanse is closed ground under watch. After the Great Sealing of 690 KM, even research access is granted rarely, and revoked easily.