Centauri republic factbook
- Thread starter Satai Delenn
- Start date
Morgan_Keyes
Mongoose
Mongoose August said:Well then, I'll take the compliment now while it lasts and prepare myself for the flood to come.
-A
Now August, am I always that bad? Honest, I remembered to take my meds today. There are some issues I have noticed, but I will also endevour to include the high points I find as well.
Actually, I have always found your opinions to be quite well-informed. I was only playing, I promise.
I do look forward to hearing your ideas about the book. I am actually quite proud of the way Centauri came out (espeically the Status rules) and actually having one in my hand now (only got it two days ago myself), I can see that the gang at Mongoose did a fine job in the layout again.
Take care,
-August
I do look forward to hearing your ideas about the book. I am actually quite proud of the way Centauri came out (espeically the Status rules) and actually having one in my hand now (only got it two days ago myself), I can see that the gang at Mongoose did a fine job in the layout again.
Take care,
-August
There seems to be an awful lot of errors or omissions in the section on Spaceships.
These are just the glaring ones.
Altarin Destroyer: Craft Omitted 6 Fighters 1 Shuttle
Balvarin Carrier: Error in number of ships which contradicts the blurb on the Fleet earlier in the book which clearly showed 36 fighters not 24 should also carry 2 shuttles.
Centurion Attack Cruiser: Craft Omitted 2 Shuttles
Covran Scout: Craft Omitted 2 Shuttles
Dargan Strike Cruiser: Seems to have changed completely from a state of the art stealth ship to an old attack ship(Yet still retains the state of the art Rutarian fighter?). Should have sensors of around +10, the Chameleon sensors are gone which enable it to appear as another ship say a freighter on enemy sensors. Should also carry 2 Shuttles.
Darkner Fast Attack Frigate: Omitted 1 shuttle carried
Haven Patrol Boat: Omitted One Shuttle Carried
Kutai Gunship: Omitted One Shuttle Carried
Lias Supply Ship: Omitted 5 Cargo Shuttles Carried
Maximus Defense Frigate: Omitted 1 Shuttle Carried
Mograth Frigate: Omitted 1 Shuttle Carried
Rutarian Strike Fighter: Omitted the heavy weapon mentioned in the blurb the Ion Bolt, should be stealthier as well say around 25.
Sentri Medium Fighter: Typo Omission I'm sure it should read Twin-Linked particle gun.
Sulust Escort Destroyer: Omission 1 Shuttle Carried.
That all the errors I could find, but I'm not too sure about the bio blurb on Centauri females and head heir specifically abotu them not being to grow any, I seem to remember Emperor Turhan saying when refusing to put on his wig "Sometimes I think our females are right when they shave their heads and rise above all this"
These are just the glaring ones.
Altarin Destroyer: Craft Omitted 6 Fighters 1 Shuttle
Balvarin Carrier: Error in number of ships which contradicts the blurb on the Fleet earlier in the book which clearly showed 36 fighters not 24 should also carry 2 shuttles.
Centurion Attack Cruiser: Craft Omitted 2 Shuttles
Covran Scout: Craft Omitted 2 Shuttles
Dargan Strike Cruiser: Seems to have changed completely from a state of the art stealth ship to an old attack ship(Yet still retains the state of the art Rutarian fighter?). Should have sensors of around +10, the Chameleon sensors are gone which enable it to appear as another ship say a freighter on enemy sensors. Should also carry 2 Shuttles.
Darkner Fast Attack Frigate: Omitted 1 shuttle carried
Haven Patrol Boat: Omitted One Shuttle Carried
Kutai Gunship: Omitted One Shuttle Carried
Lias Supply Ship: Omitted 5 Cargo Shuttles Carried
Maximus Defense Frigate: Omitted 1 Shuttle Carried
Mograth Frigate: Omitted 1 Shuttle Carried
Rutarian Strike Fighter: Omitted the heavy weapon mentioned in the blurb the Ion Bolt, should be stealthier as well say around 25.
Sentri Medium Fighter: Typo Omission I'm sure it should read Twin-Linked particle gun.
Sulust Escort Destroyer: Omission 1 Shuttle Carried.
That all the errors I could find, but I'm not too sure about the bio blurb on Centauri females and head heir specifically abotu them not being to grow any, I seem to remember Emperor Turhan saying when refusing to put on his wig "Sometimes I think our females are right when they shave their heads and rise above all this"
The part about the Centauri women not normally being able to grow hair is actually taken from a JMS dissertation on the Centauri written shortly after the beginning of the series itself. I went ahead and added the genetic abnomality (which was approved) that allows some women to grow hair to explain the ponytails and the comment about shaving.
It can be inferred that Turhan must have known one or tweo strong-willed women in his life that had to shave their heads and chose to do so rather than 'enter the world of masle politics'. Given the personality of the one he kept as his wife, that is not hard to imagine at all...
As for the shuttles, that's an honest mistake. I meant to go back and add in the shuttle carrying capacity, but there was a LOT to do with the book and I missed them. As for the Dargan, I stand by my description. I know the version ZenOrac is discussing, but for the time period I was writing for I chose to go with the version the later modifications were added to. (It might make for a nice web enhancement to write up the super-stealth Dargan though...) My slip on the Altarian, as well.
Other than your exhaustive list of ommisions, did you like the book, Zen?
-August
It can be inferred that Turhan must have known one or tweo strong-willed women in his life that had to shave their heads and chose to do so rather than 'enter the world of masle politics'. Given the personality of the one he kept as his wife, that is not hard to imagine at all...
As for the shuttles, that's an honest mistake. I meant to go back and add in the shuttle carrying capacity, but there was a LOT to do with the book and I missed them. As for the Dargan, I stand by my description. I know the version ZenOrac is discussing, but for the time period I was writing for I chose to go with the version the later modifications were added to. (It might make for a nice web enhancement to write up the super-stealth Dargan though...) My slip on the Altarian, as well.
Other than your exhaustive list of ommisions, did you like the book, Zen?
-August
Morgan_Keyes
Mongoose
August,
Looking over the Centauri ground pounders right now. What drove the decision to make them an air assault based force? Why some alterations from the AoG GROPOS material?
Also wondering about the placement of mortars on an aerial troop carrier. As it's stated, it can only use them when grounded which is when it's most vulnerable. I would think a rocket/missile system capable of indirect fire would work far better if this capability was to be maintained.
AoG's GROPOS gives the centauri an edge over other races (barring the Minbari) with advanced targetting systems and a heavy use of EM projectile weapons. What I have on centauri vehicles was as follows:
Hexus MBT: Long-ranged 68mm coilgun, hitting harder then the EA's 135mm BilPro (though I'd give it wider ammo choices), rapid fire AP gun, and an air defense system I assume is missile-based. Known for heavy punch and range, but also slow and with a big profile.
Tridus SPH: A 122mm coilgun howitzer on the Hexus hull.
Suture IFV: One of a number of centauri infantry carriers. More an APC battle taxi then an IFV. Carried half again the infantry of it's contemporaries in the other militaries (3 stands as opposed to 2). Now how many made an 'stand' was never set, but figured it kept with other conventions so we'd be talking a fireteam-equivilent. I would expect the Suture to carry 12-16 troops m'self.
For weapons the Suture is listed carrying the AP gun, and a plasma mortar. So that'd make it an APC with teeth. It would operate like an APC by dropping it's charges at the edge of the battle, but then would support with indirect fire.
Saphus Scout Car: Small wheeled scout without dismounts. Strange in that it also carries a mortar to support infantry. Risky thing for a scout.
Majesty Command Vehicle: A Saphus with a radome atop it like a ground-based AWACS. In place of the mortar it carries an air defense system like the Hexus.
I do like the rundown on Centauri ranks. Certainly far easier to understand then what is given for in Minbari both in responsibilty and how they interact with each other. Organizations are a bit easier to understand as well. I do admit though that a problem likely peculiar to me comes up on the organization tables. I'm used to the tree system or itemized breakdown as is typical when reading military TO&E's so the lump sum list requires me to mull it over some more since my thought process wants to see the breakdowns by companies, platoons, and squads.
More thoughts as they come. Good job, though I do have questions on doctrine and employment for the ground troops as well as some divergent ideas on equipment and organization.
Looking over the Centauri ground pounders right now. What drove the decision to make them an air assault based force? Why some alterations from the AoG GROPOS material?
Also wondering about the placement of mortars on an aerial troop carrier. As it's stated, it can only use them when grounded which is when it's most vulnerable. I would think a rocket/missile system capable of indirect fire would work far better if this capability was to be maintained.
AoG's GROPOS gives the centauri an edge over other races (barring the Minbari) with advanced targetting systems and a heavy use of EM projectile weapons. What I have on centauri vehicles was as follows:
Hexus MBT: Long-ranged 68mm coilgun, hitting harder then the EA's 135mm BilPro (though I'd give it wider ammo choices), rapid fire AP gun, and an air defense system I assume is missile-based. Known for heavy punch and range, but also slow and with a big profile.
Tridus SPH: A 122mm coilgun howitzer on the Hexus hull.
Suture IFV: One of a number of centauri infantry carriers. More an APC battle taxi then an IFV. Carried half again the infantry of it's contemporaries in the other militaries (3 stands as opposed to 2). Now how many made an 'stand' was never set, but figured it kept with other conventions so we'd be talking a fireteam-equivilent. I would expect the Suture to carry 12-16 troops m'self.
For weapons the Suture is listed carrying the AP gun, and a plasma mortar. So that'd make it an APC with teeth. It would operate like an APC by dropping it's charges at the edge of the battle, but then would support with indirect fire.
Saphus Scout Car: Small wheeled scout without dismounts. Strange in that it also carries a mortar to support infantry. Risky thing for a scout.
Majesty Command Vehicle: A Saphus with a radome atop it like a ground-based AWACS. In place of the mortar it carries an air defense system like the Hexus.
I do like the rundown on Centauri ranks. Certainly far easier to understand then what is given for in Minbari both in responsibilty and how they interact with each other. Organizations are a bit easier to understand as well. I do admit though that a problem likely peculiar to me comes up on the organization tables. I'm used to the tree system or itemized breakdown as is typical when reading military TO&E's so the lump sum list requires me to mull it over some more since my thought process wants to see the breakdowns by companies, platoons, and squads.
More thoughts as they come. Good job, though I do have questions on doctrine and employment for the ground troops as well as some divergent ideas on equipment and organization.
Hey there, Morgan. Excellent questions.
The change from the only real source of GROPOS info (the basic book and some supplimental website stuff) comes from the partial text of the book that was never published and my own extrapolation of that work. The organizational tree suggests some very heavy aerial assets, so that's what I came up with. Your milage may vary, of course.
Ultimately, the military part of the book is widely open to interpretation. I saw the Saphus as a nice little mortar support vehicle with the ability to lay an arc of mortar shells and swiftly move out of the line of incoming fire. Not a bad addition to a scout car in my opinion...
The presence of mortars on the aerial troop carrier was also an extrapolation. Given the existence of a newer weapon system, I thought it made sense for the Centauri (who HATE to waste assets) to mount their replaced mortars on anything that could carry them. Besides, a landed carrier touching off several mortars to help suppress the fringes of an LZ made sense to me too. Rockets would be even better, but the Centauri do not have a newer carrier model at the time of the book's setting. Now if they came out with a newer version, absolutely!
Hope this helps you at least see my reasoning,
-August
The change from the only real source of GROPOS info (the basic book and some supplimental website stuff) comes from the partial text of the book that was never published and my own extrapolation of that work. The organizational tree suggests some very heavy aerial assets, so that's what I came up with. Your milage may vary, of course.
Ultimately, the military part of the book is widely open to interpretation. I saw the Saphus as a nice little mortar support vehicle with the ability to lay an arc of mortar shells and swiftly move out of the line of incoming fire. Not a bad addition to a scout car in my opinion...
The presence of mortars on the aerial troop carrier was also an extrapolation. Given the existence of a newer weapon system, I thought it made sense for the Centauri (who HATE to waste assets) to mount their replaced mortars on anything that could carry them. Besides, a landed carrier touching off several mortars to help suppress the fringes of an LZ made sense to me too. Rockets would be even better, but the Centauri do not have a newer carrier model at the time of the book's setting. Now if they came out with a newer version, absolutely!
Hope this helps you at least see my reasoning,
-August
Morgan_Keyes
Mongoose
Mongoose August said:
Perhapes. But then the EarthForce GROPOS have rather large collection of air assets, yet Air Cav and Air Assault formations make up only part of the force.
Mongoose August said:
I questioned it since the job of a scout, especially as light as the Saphus, should be spot, report, and don't be seen. But then I chalk it up for Centauri doctrine which may or may not be correct. Still remains to be seen if there reporting procedure is 'I'll mark the target with my burning, flaming wreckage'. :twisted: If it had to fight, think I'd rather go with a light to medium cannon and leave infantry fire support to the Suture or a dedicated gun-mortar assualt gun AFV.
Mongoose August said:
On this you haven't won me over. As the guy on the ground I'd rather have the mortars dismount with me, either carried by a team or on a light carrier. I'll probably want indirect fire support even after the carrier's gone and booked clear. Instead of giving the space up for mortar system which most of the time is only going to get hurried snap shots or 'well I hope I hit something' blind fire, I'd give it to a set of barrage rockets/missiles or more carrying capacity, or save money with a smaller carrier. Again, maybe weird centauri doctrine. From an infantry standpoint though it seems bad. :?
Mongoose August said:
Well I see what you were thinking, but don't necessarily agree. But then I didn't with Armored Companies either. :wink:
ZenOrac said:
Just got mine, and it looks fantastic. I love the diary sections, in the same sort of style as the letters from Valen in the Minbari Fact Book. The one on page 47 has got me giggling - I can just see the actors playing out that particular scene.
The only thing that has been mentioned is that in the character section, Lady Morella, the Voice of Turhan has an accompanying picture of Lady Ladira (Season 1). Nice to get a good photo of Emperor Cotto, but some stats would have been a bonus. Still, that'll keep for the 'Legions of Fire' campaign book... :shock: :lol: (That's just a joke, by the way!)
On the whole, given a quick 5 minute skimming of the book, it looks like another fantastic effort from August. Nice to see non-Noble Centauri covered as well, with Slave feats, etc, and mentions of Centauri Corporations along with other power blocks. The Social standing rules I'll need to go through in detail.
I'm glad the Royal Guardsman prestige class has been included from the Coming of Shadows book, for completeness. Also like the idea that the Centauri are obsessed with gadgets - who knows what they'd make of the Swiss Army Knife...
Another thumbs up from me.
Chobbly
One thing I was surprised not to find in the book was anything about a class of assasins.
I guess that the Centauri believe that a true connoisseur of the art of assassination should do it themselves rather than hire a professional.
It also reduces the chance of someone else finding out who did it.
:lol:
Sidney
I guess that the Centauri believe that a true connoisseur of the art of assassination should do it themselves rather than hire a professional.
It also reduces the chance of someone else finding out who did it.
:lol:
Sidney
Satai Delenn
Mongoose
It would be nice if I would receve my copy from Walmart already.Since it is already out. :x
An abosutely top notch book. I finished it late last night and I was very impressed. Opened up a whole new side to the Centauri that I had not thought of.
The only downer (as I have said before) was the lack of a ship recognition chart such as the EarthForce book had, but I can live with that.
Good work.
The only downer (as I have said before) was the lack of a ship recognition chart such as the EarthForce book had, but I can live with that.
Good work.
August, there is a description of a "docile" reptillian slave race on one of the first planets that the Centauri colinized.
In my Thursday evening game I had one of these creratures stow away on a Centauri freighter and make it to B5.
Our heros found the creature and discovered that it was an escaped slave.
They were spotted by station security and the status of the creature was the subject of a trial before the Ombusman (sp?).
I had a die roll to decide which way the ruling would go.
Do you have any thopughts or insights about escaped Centauri slaves making their way to EA space and how the justice system would rule?
Also, I had the creature look like a Raptor in my game but from the few words about them, I get the impression they are plant eaters vs meat eaters. Is there anything else you can tell us about them?
Sidney
In my Thursday evening game I had one of these creratures stow away on a Centauri freighter and make it to B5.
Our heros found the creature and discovered that it was an escaped slave.
They were spotted by station security and the status of the creature was the subject of a trial before the Ombusman (sp?).
I had a die roll to decide which way the ruling would go.
Do you have any thopughts or insights about escaped Centauri slaves making their way to EA space and how the justice system would rule?
Also, I had the creature look like a Raptor in my game but from the few words about them, I get the impression they are plant eaters vs meat eaters. Is there anything else you can tell us about them?
Sidney
Ah yes, the reptilian slaves from Centauri space...
They do indeed look like raptors (in a way), but they have mostly blunt teeth and they are plant eaters (primarily), though they have developed a taste for meat due to their exposure to Centauri cooking.
It is taboo in their culture to kill sentient life, which is why they have been slaves for so long, and it is unlikely that this will change any time soon. The Centauri have efficiently spread rumours of their 'blood thirsty natures', making it diffiuclt for them to get any aid from other races. You should definitely work that into your game if you get the chance; the reptilian will have to prove his good nature, though this is fairly easy to do if anyone tries to communicate with him.
As for the ruling, it should depend. How many Centauri are spending money behind the scene to bribe the judge? If the slave gets a fair hearing, I would probably say it will be ruled emancipated by location, much as the slaves in the US were often (though tragically not always) freed by getting into the North.
Take care, and hope this helps,
-August
They do indeed look like raptors (in a way), but they have mostly blunt teeth and they are plant eaters (primarily), though they have developed a taste for meat due to their exposure to Centauri cooking.
It is taboo in their culture to kill sentient life, which is why they have been slaves for so long, and it is unlikely that this will change any time soon. The Centauri have efficiently spread rumours of their 'blood thirsty natures', making it diffiuclt for them to get any aid from other races. You should definitely work that into your game if you get the chance; the reptilian will have to prove his good nature, though this is fairly easy to do if anyone tries to communicate with him.
As for the ruling, it should depend. How many Centauri are spending money behind the scene to bribe the judge?
If the slave gets a fair hearing, I would probably say it will be ruled emancipated by location, much as the slaves in the US were often (though tragically not always) freed by getting into the North.Take care, and hope this helps,
-August
Prophetsteve
Mongoose
Well, today I went to the FLGS to see if my next installment of my mega-order arrived. And lo and behold I walked away with Coming of Shadows and the Centari book. Sweet!
Did a quick skim of the book and am seriously liking what I read. I appreciate the attempt to give all the races something "extra" (The nationality feats for Humans, Caste feats for Minbari and the Social Feats for Centauri). Pretty cool, I must say.
I dunno which race I would wanna play if I was involved in a Babylon 5 game. I mean, Minbari are cool and all, but man do Centauri have style. Definately a cool choice if you are into the social and manipulation side of gaming...
Geez, with the Narn and the League just a few months away its hard to think about anything but starting a B5 game...
Did a quick skim of the book and am seriously liking what I read. I appreciate the attempt to give all the races something "extra" (The nationality feats for Humans, Caste feats for Minbari and the Social Feats for Centauri). Pretty cool, I must say.
I dunno which race I would wanna play if I was involved in a Babylon 5 game. I mean, Minbari are cool and all, but man do Centauri have style. Definately a cool choice if you are into the social and manipulation side of gaming...
Geez, with the Narn and the League just a few months away its hard to think about anything but starting a B5 game...
Prophetsteve
Mongoose
True.
However, Technomages is a not what I would call a core book - its a handy faction and a personal geek-out favorite but really its supplementary. Like Rangers and PsiCorp.
I concider Narns and League more of a core supplement cause honestly I want them before I hazard an attempt to do a B5 game...[/code]
