a thought & 2 slips worth
I had a thought. Feel free to shoot it down.
Maybe the B5 Centauri aren't from Alpha Centauri. As a narrator, you could explain it simply that they're from Beta Centauri or another star in the Centaur constellation. That being the case, they're's more than enough room in *any* ST world for both "Centauris". :)
Maybe they're offshoots of one another like the Vulcans & Romulans.
Revision time. . .thoughts? Ideas?
The Centauri
Homeworld: Alpha Centauri IV [Centauri Prime].
Appearance and Physiology
Centauri are bipedal mammals which appear similar to humans in most respects, and they even claimed to be related until DNA tests showed otherwise. While Centauri look similar to humans they are genetically incompatible. The Centauri males wear their hair up, in a pronounced crest and Centauri females are usually bald, this is not a genetic trait but rather a style. Males wear their hair up and fanned out as a symbol of their status. The taller the crest, the more prominent position held. Females generally shave their heads, except for a pony-tail at the back of their head.
There are quite obvious internal differences in human and Centauri physiology: the Centauri have two hearts. The right heart is much the same as a human heart. The left heart is smaller and is in fact thousands of veins intertwined that help cleanse the blood, much like the human kidney, and helps provide extra pressure. The average life span of the Centauri is ninety to one hundred-ten earth years.
Society
The Centauri are a decadent people. Their dress and forms of decoration tend to be excessive, to the point of being gaudy. They exhibit overindulgence as a rule. In addition to their lust, gluttony, and other love for vices, the Centauri are masterful politicians. Centauri look down on Klingons, believing them a primitive people with little foresight.
How eminent an individual Centauri is in the highly aristocratic society is very much dependent on his family wealth and history. Unions between families are a common way to gain power and prestige. Marriages are almost always arranged and they are often used to strengthen the unions between families. The society is not so much based on a caste system as it is based on economy.
Political Structure
The Centauri Republic is ruled by an emperor; along with a governing body called the Centaurum. The highest power (at least in theory) is held by the emperor, who is held in the highest regard. The Emperor is essentially the social and spiritual leader of the Centauri Republic, whose wisdom is greater than all others. . .even when this is not the case.
In reality the power is often held by the noble families in the form of the Centaurum. Answerable only to the emperor, this body is divided into many factions. The Centaurum appoints the Republics ambassadors, and chooses the successor to the Republics throne.
They are not called the Centauri republic for nothing; the actions of politicians in the Republic are reminisent of those of ancient Rome on earth. Although immoral activity (murder, blackmail, conspiracy) are no longer the approved way of improving ones rank, as in the old Republic, most Centauri nobles frequently use their position to further their own goals, in particular raising their standing within the Centaurum with hopes of joining the royal court, and possibly even becoming emperor.
There are also several ministers who take care of the bureaucracy.
Religion
There are several gods in the Centauri pantheon ranging from Li, the hermaphrodite god of passion, to Ilaros, the protector of gamblers and goddess of luck. There are also a few past emperors who have been elevated to godhood. The most important deity, however, is the one referred to as the ‘great maker.’
Technology
Centauri takes great pride in its terraforming technology, which has proven invaluable to the Federation. The Centauri helped restore Earth’s environment after World War III with the ‘Renewal Project’ and enabled the Federation to colonize dozens of worlds.
While humans had primitive holographic technology for centuries, it was a Centauri scientist who pioneered true holoroom technology. Though holorooms have come a long way from the first holographic projectors used on Centauri Prime, the application for science, medicine and entertainment remain a source of great pride for Centauri. Some fellow crew members even complain that when a Centauri is off duty, there is no chance for anyone else to use a holodeck.
History
One of the founding members of the Federation, they are in fact its greatest supporters. The Centauri had founded an “empire” of twenty-eight planets (and one space station in orbit of Epsilon Eridani III) two hundred years before first contact with Earth. Although Earth was well within the Centauri sphere of influence, Earth was left alone; Centauri believing themselves related to humans.
At the height of the Republics power the Centauri encountered a less evolved race called the Klingons and annexed the Klingon homworld to the Republic. Qo’noS was a paradise and the planets native population welcomed the Centauri as gods. The Centauri took full advantage of this and during the next hundred years they enslaved the people and stripped the planet of its natural resources.
Fifty years before Earths’ Third World War political bickering filled the Centaurum, colonial governors conspired against the emperor and civil unrest began to take there toll; the powerful Centauri Republic was falling apart. Many of the worlds the Centauri had conquered had become resentful of Centauri rule. Marches and protests were staged across the whole of the Republic. What began as discontent among the indigenous population of conquered worlds, became open rebellion. Territorial governors, fearful of losing their standing in the Centaurum, attempted to hide the growing strife. This only served to spur civil unrest until many worlds began to over throw their Centauri rulers.
The Klingons proved themselves to be a great deal of trouble. No sooner had the Centauri occupational forces moved in, than the Klingons began making trouble. Though seemingly peaceful, Klingon culture was based strongly on the concept of a warrior code. As the years stretched on, the Centauri were forced to poor more and more resources into controlling Qo’noS. Eventually it became a matter of will, the Centauri willingly allowing other holdings to slip from their fingers in an attempt to maintain control of one world. Eventually, having striped Qo’noS of everything of value and unwilling to continue pouring valuable resources into maintaining control of a dead planet, the Centauri withdrew form Qo’noS. As Centauri lost control of Qo’noS, so did they lose what little respect the other worlds had for them.
Members of the Centaurum, not wanting to take the responsibility or blame for the problems, turned on each other; and the Centauri military found itself unable to reassert control. Many subject races, using older ships that had once been part of the Centauri Navy, attacked the Centauri fleet in defiance. With their forces stretched too thin to effectively deal with the situation, many Centauri ships were destroyed in skirmish after skirmish. Within forty years of the first uprising, the Centauri Republic fell in upon itself.
By the time of first contact with Earth the once great Centauri Republic, long rotted by decadence, wasn’t much more than a joke in interstellar politics. The "Great Lion of the Galaxy" had become a tired, toothless old cat who could make a fierce roar and little else. The Centauri Republic had fell into decline; they were more interested in boisterous celebrations and revelry than anything more serious. To them wealth and rank were the most important things in life. No longer any sort of interstellar power, to help prop up their fading republic the Centauri found it in their best interest to join the Federation. The changes in Centauri society were noticeable long before first contact with Earth, but since joining the Federation Centauri have been assimilated into the Federation mainstream [the Centauri Emperor, during the celebrations following the signing of the Federation Charter, told an Earth ambassador, “We Centauri live our lives for appearances: position, status, title. These are the things by which we define ourselves. But when I look beneath the mask I am forced to wear, I see only emptiness.” Few Centauri wear the grand hair crests of old, prefering a much smaller crest as a symbol of their culture; a few having grown up with stories and legend of the once proud Republic burn with the passion to see the Old Republic reborn.
Centauri maintain a close relationship with humans, perhaps owing to their similar appearances. Zefram Cochrane, the first human to develop warp drive, retired to Centauri Prime, where he explored its culture and sciences. Humans encountered the Centauri shortly after first contact with Vulcan, and Centauri helped found the United Federation of Planets (more out of self interest than any noble cause). Their knowledge of bio-systems and terraforming helped the Federation establish colonies throughout Alpha Quadrant. Many consider Centauri Prime one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy, and its people gladly helped the citizens of Earth restore their planet after the devastation of World War III.
The Centauri remain a steady member of the Federation. They rarely assume leadership roles on the Federation Council (preferring Centauri politics), but always remain heavily involved in the Council’s decisions. Centauri have a long-term view of actions and like to weigh throughly important matters. This sometimes leads to accusations of foot-dragging and excessive debate particularly in times of crises.
The Centauri Template
Attributes
Fitness 2 [5]
Coordination 2 [5]
Intellect 2 [5]
----Perception +1
Presence 2 [6]
Psi 0 [5]
Skills
Artistic Expression (choose) 2 (3) OR
Science, Any (choose) 2 (3)
Charm (choose) 1 (2)
Culture (Centauri) 2 (3)
History (Centauri) 1 (2)
Language
----Centauri 2
Science, Social (Political Science) 1 (2)
Weapon, Primitive (Sword) 1 (2)
World Knowledge (Centauri Prime) 1 (2)
Traits
Organ Redundancy (Two Hearts) (+2); Sexy (+2); Species Enemy (Klingon) (-3); Vengeful (-1)
