Diverse Groups and Official Positions

[Anonymous]

One big problem I’ve had putting together a proper campaign for B5 is that the only official, government sponsored organization that has representatives from a multitude of species are the rangers. Since being a ranger focuses on a cretin kind of game play that leaves little room for diversity of classes. Admittedly corporations and raider groups are larger organizations who employ a verity of species, but if I want to do an exploration/military campaign and allow a wide verity of spices and classes, there aren’t many options. The closest would seem to be a campaign that picks up after Crusade, but even then there weren’t any non humans serving in any ‘official’ capacity. I was wondering if anyone has thought of some ideas to deal with this problem or if most peoples campaigns work around it some how. Any thoughts?

 

[CARTMAG]

you could always do a Mercinary style capaign... Merc companies would always need help in all areas...... and they could still be offical.

 

[Dag'Nabbit]

Here's one of the thoughts I had for my campaign.

I was going to set the group up as a private contractor who hires out to IPX. They would be one of the groups that does initial site surveys and explorations. If they did find anything significant, and they reported that fact to their employers, then they would be pulled off of the site, enthusiastically thanked, payed, and then replaced with 'specialists.' This would let me include multiple races, as well as provide a plausable reason that IPX would have hired them. Trained explorer crews are not that easy to come by, so this seems like a good way to bring them into the fold. As well, it provides a good way to get the characters to eventually have to decide between their employer/contract and doing the right thing once they are eventually confronted with IPX's true links.

The one thing you are going to have to look out for is getting a few aliens who are naturally antagonistic (ie. Narn/Centauri).

 

[El Cid]

I set up a security firm that hires all qualified races and its HQ is on B5.

That is somewhat similar to a Mecenary Company mentioned above w/o the military conotation.

 

[Jal]

Yummmmm.....Flan! It's really just styrofoam. Tasty styrofoam, like twinkies, but somehow better for you.

the bit where it says Flan!, should it be saying Flarn!?
just curious. :wink:

sorry for butting in.

 

[Tegman]

I use a secret EA agency that hires all kinds of people/races to do all kinds of stuff. That way the players can make almost any race and profession.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tegman. That’s an interesting idea. Considering that the Drazi in Intersections in Real Time seemed to be working for the government, it could make sense. Assuming anything in that episode really happened of course. Also, it’s not unthinkable that Garibaldi might have hired a diverse group with no connections to the rangers for covert ops. Might seem a little odd when he has the Rangers, but then it is Garibaldi. No reason to think Number One would just drop a resource like that.

Oooh! I bet Garibaldi would definitely employ such a group after he left Babylon 5. Nothing even contradicts cannon there. I’m sure he’d loan them out to help once the plague hit Earth too. Official ragtag group of experts fighting the Drakh and looking for a cure. They could even end up onboard the Excalibur. I may have to use that.

 

[August]

Not only is that suggestion not contradicted by canon, it is all but stated as fact in the latter half of Season 5. Garibaldi is encouraged by Sheridan to recruit his information network out of the the Insterstellar Alliance, effectively guaranteeing that some of his agents will be of the 'alien' races.

-August

 

[Dag'Nabbit]

Yummmmm.....Flan! It's really just styrofoam. Tasty styrofoam, like twinkies, but somehow better for you.

the bit where it says Flan!, should it be saying Flarn!?
just curious. :wink:

sorry for butting in.

Tomayto, tomato; flan, flarn. Just depends on where you're from!

 

[August]

Frankly, I just assumed you were talking about the psuedo-custard known as Flan. If done well, Flan is delicious. If done poorly, well... it is pretty much styrofoam.

-August

 

[Dag'Nabbit]

Frankly, I just assumed you were talking about the psuedo-custard known as Flan. If done well, Flan is delicious. If done poorly, well... it is pretty much styrofoam.

-August

Well, let's just say that I like leaving things a little ambiguous. :twisted:

Confusion is good for the soul, and it provides a great deal of entertaining discussion. Besides, Flarn probably tastes just like styrofoam as well when prepared incorrectly. Atleast judging by Delenn's reaction after Sheridan cooked her up a batch.