psyclonejack
Mongoose
Nothing much to add, just wanted to be the person that posted the 100th reply.
Psyjack
Psyjack
The Babylon 5 Companion
- Thread starter MongooseMatt
- Start date
Can of the Cave Beer
Mongoose
Movies: From what I've read, LotR was indeed the last of a series of contractually obligated movies that were worked in with the TNT deal. It was also given the chance to serve as a pilot for a new series on SciFi. This is not to say that there won't be more--but we'll have to wait for any positive information on that.
The Hand: I think I read this from JMS, himself, but can't be positive. While I think it's more than likely that the Hand were the aliens from Thirdspace, there's nothing to say that they aren't indeed First Ones. The galaxy is a big place, and to presume that all the First Ones who had ever existed decided to vamoose with Lorien is a bit much. It's also possible that they were first ones who had explored beyond the rim, and simply came back around that time. A little convenient, but that's TV for you.
The Hand and Crusade: The Excalibur was focused on one mission--to find a cure for the Drakh plague. The Hand would not be their concern, at least not right away (and LotR happens 3 years after Crusade began). It is quite possible that the Excalibur would have had a run-in or three with the Hand, but we'll never know until someone finishes Crusade or we get an official timeline for the series. With JMS, it's hard to say, but he's pulled the "bait and switch" routine before, and he HAS gone on record as saying that Crusade wasn't going to be about what we thought it would be about. Now, having said that, I think that the season finale scripts pointed the way in which the show would have originally headed, but that's just conjecture. Besides, who's to say that the Hand weren't part of the reason for screwing around with the Shadow-tech (besides the power-grabbing, and the millenia leap in technological development, that is)?
Then again, take these ramblings for what they're worth. And remember how much you paid for them.
The Hand: I think I read this from JMS, himself, but can't be positive. While I think it's more than likely that the Hand were the aliens from Thirdspace, there's nothing to say that they aren't indeed First Ones. The galaxy is a big place, and to presume that all the First Ones who had ever existed decided to vamoose with Lorien is a bit much. It's also possible that they were first ones who had explored beyond the rim, and simply came back around that time. A little convenient, but that's TV for you.
The Hand and Crusade: The Excalibur was focused on one mission--to find a cure for the Drakh plague. The Hand would not be their concern, at least not right away (and LotR happens 3 years after Crusade began). It is quite possible that the Excalibur would have had a run-in or three with the Hand, but we'll never know until someone finishes Crusade or we get an official timeline for the series. With JMS, it's hard to say, but he's pulled the "bait and switch" routine before, and he HAS gone on record as saying that Crusade wasn't going to be about what we thought it would be about. Now, having said that, I think that the season finale scripts pointed the way in which the show would have originally headed, but that's just conjecture. Besides, who's to say that the Hand weren't part of the reason for screwing around with the Shadow-tech (besides the power-grabbing, and the millenia leap in technological development, that is)?
Then again, take these ramblings for what they're worth. And remember how much you paid for them.
Can of the Cave Beer said:
Nope - TNT had NOTHING to do with LotR. TNT had by that stage entered the (growing) list of networks/production companies that jms swore he'd never work for/with again. If LotR had been, then Warners would have hung onto the CG work that was required for it (which they tragically didn't which is why it was all fresh work (with some embarrassing gaffs...)).
Can of the Cave Beer said:
It's actually set two years before, and quite deliberatly so. The intention was, if it had gone to series, that the Crusade arc could be picked up in the second or third season.
LoneStranger
Mongoose
If it's still possible to say anything about the companion here's my take on it. Put the rules posted on the site about Interceptors and the Worker class in the companion. Also I do like what was said about ship creation/customization and putting rules in for cargo runs (price per ton, etc.). As for all the rules changes being batted about, nah I don't see it, the rules are good as they currently are (even the classes as presented except for the Worker stats posted on the site). I can't think of anything else I'm specifically dying for in the Companion so lemme just comment on the other ideas being batted around.
Crusade: give that show it's own self-contained book
Legend of the Rangers: give that it's own self-contained book, let it exist to the people who want to get it, to others it's nothing.
GM's Screen (in another post): yeah I'd like to see that
League of Non-Aligned Worlds book: I thought that was going to happen anyway?
a Psi-Corp book: you need more than what's in the EA book? Most of the goals of that group are shrouded in secrecy.
Ah well that's my two credits in on that
Crusade: give that show it's own self-contained book
Legend of the Rangers: give that it's own self-contained book, let it exist to the people who want to get it, to others it's nothing.
GM's Screen (in another post): yeah I'd like to see that
League of Non-Aligned Worlds book: I thought that was going to happen anyway?
a Psi-Corp book: you need more than what's in the EA book? Most of the goals of that group are shrouded in secrecy.
Ah well that's my two credits in on that
bob_morden
Mongoose
i'm jupping into the subject to add my little contribution !! 
i would be delighted to see in the b5 companion some material that could help us to take a little distance from the station !!
the purpose could be to make senarios and campagne centered elsewere on the galaxy !!
one exemple of that could be a description of how life goes in a transfert point (IO for exemple). That could help us in describing the place for our players. i'm thinking also about the description of zhabar (drazi homeworld) for exemple.
another thing could be the definition of possibilities regarding organic technologies : an extended point of view could help us in confronting the players with it.
even if it's been exposed before, i insist also on the need for a description of short medium and long term goals of several of the existing organisation such the psi corps. With a better view of their goals we'll be much more able to insert them in our campagne.
also mantionned before, if you do not intend to make a non aligned book, a description of the relations inside the leage would be great !!
that's it for now !!
since i have to go to work, i'll post later if something else comes up !!
besides that, i'm fine !! !!
i would be delighted to see in the b5 companion some material that could help us to take a little distance from the station !!
the purpose could be to make senarios and campagne centered elsewere on the galaxy !!
one exemple of that could be a description of how life goes in a transfert point (IO for exemple). That could help us in describing the place for our players. i'm thinking also about the description of zhabar (drazi homeworld) for exemple.
another thing could be the definition of possibilities regarding organic technologies : an extended point of view could help us in confronting the players with it.
even if it's been exposed before, i insist also on the need for a description of short medium and long term goals of several of the existing organisation such the psi corps. With a better view of their goals we'll be much more able to insert them in our campagne.
also mantionned before, if you do not intend to make a non aligned book, a description of the relations inside the leage would be great !!
that's it for now !!
since i have to go to work, i'll post later if something else comes up !!
besides that, i'm fine !!
!!Can of the Cave Beer
Mongoose
I had to sit down and count them out, but you're right. I'd forgotten about "A Call to Arms"
Again, my mistake. That's what I get for trusting my memory about a show I only managed to see once. I knew it was split 2/3 somehow, I just guessed the wrong way.
