Invidia is an Imperial world in the Calixis subsector. It is very nearly a double planet with its primary satellite (Gleam) being very nearly half its mass. Invidia suffers from significant volcanism, plate tectonics and tides, and buildings of more than five stories are forbidden by both legislation and common sense. It has no hives, but each of its 50+ nations has a capital and larger city.

Society is caste-based, with the priest, warrior, scribe, maker, laborer and farmer castes being the most common. The titular planetary ruler is the 'Young King' chosen from the winners of (often fatal) competition among the warrior caste. He rules for a year, then is sacrificed to the God-Emperor and in practical terms the planetary governor is usually one of the Scribe caste. The traditional planetary weapons are the 'huitl' (a wooden sword set with obsidian shards) and the sling. Every city, town and village has a huitl team, and they constantly compete among each other (think English League soccer).

It is a trade nexus, and its primary tithe is ships (currently a Cruiser scheduled for completion this decade) and naval petty officers.