Funny thing happened when we got to Aplha Centauri. . .
. . .they weren't who we thought they were.
[Edit Note (18 Feb. 2003): I made the original post about 15 months ago and have updated it with the final version of the Centauri Template we are using (see final posting). If you have any comments or suggestions, as we are tweeking this template again, please post them. To those who responded the first time: thank-you. Although I cannot credit each individual personally, you can see that each of you contributed to our final write-up. Thanks!]
We will be getting a new player in about two weeks. He is a Trek fan, but was more into Babylon 5. His favorite characters from B/5 were the Centarui. Needless to say he is a little disapointed in the Trek Centauri. I must admit the Trek Centauri seem a little under developed. Is their any canon facts on them; did they ever make an appearance on screen?
He wants to use the B/5 Centauri as the Centauri in our game. The only problem is our group is having trouble seeing the B/5 Centauri as a member (let alone a founding member) of the Federation! He has put together a sheet of facts for use (edited by myself to be a little more Trek) should we use the B/5 group. I have posted it here to see what you all think of the idea.
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Centauri Republic
Homeworld Alpha Centauri IV
Centauri appear similar to humans in most respects, although their internal structure differs slightly. Centarui 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. Centauri males have a pronounced crest of rich black hair, worn as an indication of their status. The taller the crest, the more prominent position held. Centarui females have no hair at all, except for a pony-tail at the backs of their heads.
Centauri maintain close relationships with humans, perhaps owing to their similar appearances. Zefram Cochrane, the first human to develop a warp drive, retired to Alpha Centauri, where he explored its culture and sciences. Humans encountered the Centauri shortly after meeting the Vulcans, and Centauri helped found the United Federation of Planets. Their knowledge of biosystems and terraforming helped the Federation establish colonies throughout Alpha Quadrant. Many consider Centauri one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy, and its people gladely helped the citizens of Earth restroe their planet after the devastation of World War III.
The Centauri remain a steady member of the UFP. They rarely assume leadership roles on the Federation Council, 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.
Personality
The Centauri are a decadent people, confident in their superiority over other races. Their dress and forms of decoration tend to be excessive, to the point of being gaudy. They exhibit over-indulgance 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.
Political Structure
The Centauri are ruled by an Emperor; along with a governing body, called the Centaurum. The power, structure, and method of appointment of the Centaurum are unknown. It is known that the body is divided into many factions. The Centarum 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 reminesent of those of ancient Rome on Earth. 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.
Relations with the U.F.P
One of the founding members of the Federation, they are in fact its greatest supporters. The Centauri had founded an “empire” of 14 planets [and one space station in orbit of Epsilon Eridani 3] a hundred years before first contact with Earth. Although Earth was well within the Centauri sphere of influence, they left Earth alone; believing themselves related to humans. Seeking assistance to help prop up their fading empire, the Centauri found the formation of the Federation the next logical step in their development.
Centauri take 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 primitave holographic technology for centuries, it was a Centaurian scienist who pioneered true holodeck technology. Though holodecks have come a long way from the first holographic projectors used on Alpha Centauri, the application for science, medicine and entertainment remain a source of great pride for Centauri. Some fellow crew members even complain that when a Centauran is off duty, there is no chance for anyone else to use a holodeck.
CENTAURI TEMPLATE
The natives of Alpha Centauri appear virtually identical to humans, though placement of their internal organs differs significantly.
Attributes
Fitness 2 [5]
Coordination 2 [5]
Intellect 2 [5]
Perception +1
Presence 3 [5]
Empathy +1
Psi 0 [5]
Skills
Artistic Expression (choose specialization) 2 (3)
Charm (choose specialization) 1 (2)
Culture (Centauri) 2 (3)
History (Centauri) 1 (2)
Language
Centauri 2
Persuasion (choose specialization) 2 (3)
Primitive Weponry (Swordmanship) 1 (2)
World Knowledge (Centauri) 1 (2)
Typical Advantages/Disadvantages
Arrogant (-1), Sexy (+2), Shrewd (+1), Vengeful (-1)
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Do you think the B/5 Centauri would work in a Trek RPG as a member (and a founding member at that!) of the Federation.
:confused:
Hopefully not stepping on any toes...
John Stafford did an excellent (IMO) write up of the aliens from B5. His webpage is the 6th link down in the Transporter Room. It's under ASXO, & scroll down to the B5 link
(Hopefully he won't hit me too hard for plugging his website.) :D
Could someone please explain to me
why there always seems to be someone who wants to change the Centaurans? (A bit exaggerated I know, but this topic has been showing in the forums here and there for quite some time.
IMO LUG did a fine job with their presentation of the Centaurans in Planets of the UFP and other products. While I realize that there is next to no canonical fact about the Centaurans the same can be said about other species.
Take for example the Tellarites. AFAIR the canon facts given on this species are few and far between. The same can be said about the Andorians: How many of them appeared on any of the Trek Series and how much canon information about the species is there? And the list of species LUG gives more information on than any canon goes on: The Ktarians, the Cairn, the Nappeans, etc.
Yet no one (IIRC) has had any major "change requests" concerning the Tellarites or Andorians or one of the other races as presented in the LUG products.
While I certainly don't want to say that everyone should just take the Centaurans for granted the way LUG gave them to us this strikes me as a little odd.
IMHO the Centaurans are well done and usefull the way they are, ie. as an ideal choice to play when you are looking for a character that is not as bold as the typical Trek human and thinks before he acts, yet lacks the cold logic and "unemotioness" of the Vulcans. The Centaurans cover the "middle-ground" between Vulcans and Humans quite well IMO.
Maybe it takes a little more effort to make a Centauran character unique, since they look and act a lot like Humans, but aren't these challenges one of the best parts of roleplaying - making you character unique, regardless if he is an Elf, Dwarf, Klingon or Centauran. ;)
And while I don't want to spark another debate on how canonical the Centaurans realy are, here is a point to consider. In the DS9 episode "In the plae moonlight" there is a scene with a debate on the Dominions conquest of Betazed. Kira says something to the effect that:
"From there the Dominion is in a position to attack Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar and Alpha Centauri."
Now the first three are homeworlds of Federation founders, then why would she mention Alpha Centauri if that wasn't the case with the Centaurans as well? Maybe Alpha Centauri is in a very important strategic location, but to me it sounds like she was talking about homeworlds of different species, especialy in light of the fact that the discussion was about the conquest of Betazed - another homeworld of a member species.
