Modern Nations and War Reflected in B5

M

Maglaurus

Mongoose
Hope this isn't too tense a subject for the board, but I like my games to reflect real events in human history and real ethical quandaries we modern human beings based everyday. That said, using post-Crusade B5 factions and political players, how would you reflect the war, sectarian infighting, etc. happening in Iraq these days?

I would probably set it up such that EarthForce invades a neighboring non-aligned power (or possibly the Centauri Republic or the Narn Regime) that is on the edge of internal revolution. The ISA, in turn, is left on the sidelines catching the fallout from the mid-revolutionary government's colapse and the interference of EarthForce.

Alternatively...
Are there other diplomatic/military conflicts in recent history that would make for good B5 series backdrops?
 
Tricky...I have always thought G'Kar would make a fine post-Crusade civil war focus. Clearly his message isn't being heard, so two groups with differing views (or one group with the wrong views) could rise up on Narn. The Centauri are busy with the Drakh around Crusade times and beyond, so they might not be the best location for additional turmoil.

You might look to Korea/Viet Nam...the wars were fought with "younger", if I may use the B5 terminology, groups who were propped up by fallible "older" groups. The analogy to the Vorlons/Shadows is clear, but if you push it to Crusade and beyond, Earth propping up some failing government (even the Centauri!) to keep a ravenous neighbor at bay might be interesting. How do you deal with prickly Centauri pride as you send in advisers and engineers to cover their gaps for them? Or if it's a "younger" group, how do you make sure you prop them up right, and that they won't turn around and blast you with the guns you gave them. Is it even right to be there? etc etc. it's been done in sci-fi before, but the B5 take could be more complex and interesting.

And, flipping it around, Earth and its legacy of Shadow tech could be a threat that the ISA has to fend off. The ISA and Rangers are pledged not to intervene directly (at least that's what I remember from Delenn's speech), but they will provide intelligence and support against any aggressive power. How fine a line is your group willing to walk? They can't engage in open war, so the PCs need to find solutions that don't drag the Rangers directly into the fighting.

Just brainstorming...hope that helps.
 
The Narn Regime would be an ideal setting for civil strife in the post-Crusade era. The religious zeal is certainly present (factions might be zealous and non-zealous respectively, or xenophobic and xeno-social).

One might even be able to draw parallels between the Centauri and the Narn and Iraq and Iran, with the Earth Alliance playing the part of the US and its cohorts.

Any way its sliced, I see PC's as relief workers helping transport medical supplies, supporting evacuation efforts, and thus being in the thick of the whole thing.
 
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