The universe of Mass Effect is a vast one, and Commander Shepard, the hero of the Alliance Navy, explores countless fascinating planets, moons and even space stations, such as the massive Citadel and the red dunes of planet Mars. In 2185, Shepard visited the renowned world of Illium, resting on the border with the notorious Terminus Systems.
Illium is a glitzy but unforgiving world of contradictions and deception, to say the least. It is dominated by the Asari people but isn't a part of Asari space; in fact, Illium is remarkably similar to Omega with its diverse population and seedy underbelly. Illium was a vital world for Shepard's quest to defeat the Collectors, but the Commander soon learned to tread carefully on this world. It's easy to make a deadly mistake and lose everything here.
Notable Locations, Services & Organizations On Illium
The garden world of Illium is on the border between Asari space and the Terminus Systems, a lawless and violent region of space that the Council cannot possibly hope to control. Despite Illium being a business-oriented and wealthy world, the prevalence of violence and crime lead many to consider it as little more than the gateway to the Terminus Systems.
Illium is home to many corporations and businesses, and many trade and business regulations are relaxed or even ignored here, creating an "anything goes" environment. It's like a white-collar jungle, and even businesses operating on Noveria want a piece of the action. Very few goods or products are illegal on Illium, though hazardous items and substances should be clearly labeled and handled with care, and tricks or scams are not appreciated. Traders and merchants can buy and sell anything, with many merchants being on their way to Omega to buy and sell the most powerful weapons and deadliest drugs in the galaxy; as long as they are honest about it, no one pays any mind.
Perhaps most prominent on Ilium are the Eclipse, a well-equipped mercenary gang that will take on any unsavory job for good pay. Many Eclipse squads here are all-Asari sisterhoods, reflecting Illium's Asari-dominant nature, and commanders such as Enyala are brutal and unforgiving. This world is also home to many information brokers and traders, and the best of them can make serious profits on a world like Illium.
It's not all drugs and violence, though. Illium has other, more tourist-friendly attractions and businesses, including plenty of bars and clubs, souvenir shops, and vendors who sell more conventional weapons, armor and advanced electronics. Not everyone here is gearing up to fight mercenaries, after all. Illium respects its peaceful visitors, too, and the Nos Astra spaceport, in particular, is very tourist-friendly.
Notable Characters Found On Illium
Commander Shepard will meet a variety of noteworthy allies and foes on Illium, including two potential squadmates: the Drell assassin Thane Krios and the justicar Samara. Samara is recruited halfway through her quest to track down and kill her Ardat-Yakshi daughter, Morinth. Although Morinth flees Illium, it is clear why she would like this world, and only the presence of Samara would prompt her to leave it.
Nassana Dantius was another major player on Illium. Nassana was a fairly brutal but otherwise typical Illium citizen, a ruthless and slightly paranoid business leader who wasn't afraid to kill people who were a liability. Her employees hated her, but the Eclipse mercenaries she hired as bodyguards kept her safe. Many of Nassana's Salarian employees, in particular, were eager to see her dead. She's encountered during the recruitment mission for Thane, who has been hired to assassinate her.
Commander Shepard's old squadmates and friend, Liara T'Soni, is arguably the most consequential citizen of Illium, being a top-tier information broker with a comfortable apartment to match. Shepard can work with her in the Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC to uncover the Shadow Broker's hideout. Liara and Shepard fight their way across Illium to rescue Liara's friend Sekat (though they were too late to save him). At the same time, Shepard met a fellow Spectre, an Asari named Tela Vasir, who was secretly working for the Shadow Broker. She was the one who shot Sekat and attempted to steal his data, facing Shepard and Liara all over Illium before they finally were able to best her at a luxury hotel called Azure.