
BABYLON 5________________________________________________________________

It is the dawn of the third age of mankind, the middle of the 
twenty-third century, but Man is far from alone in the universe. 

A hundred years ago, humanity made contact with its first alien 
civilization - or more to the point, they made contact with us. Before 
the arrival of the Centauri, we were confined to our own solar system, 
forced to use slow sleeper ships to explore the universe. The Centauri 
gave us the stars, offered us the use of their "jumpgates" - portals into 
hyperspace - and later, taught us to make our own. In exchange for this 
and other technologies, they asked only for trinkets, novelties to sell 
back home. 

In the eighty years that followed, humanity flexed its muscles, expanding 
outward at a rapid pace. When a group of less powerful races were attacked 
by an invading army, Earth came to their aid, cementing its role as a 
major galactic power, if but a young, brash one. 

The wave of euphoria came crashing down when humanity made contact with a 
mysterious race called the Minbari. The Earth-Minbari War began with a 
misunderstanding and a human captain too quick on the trigger. Thanks to 
bad luck or something darker, our first meeting with the Minbari resulted 
in the death of their supreme religious and political leader. To the 
Minbari, what followed was a holy war, vengeance for the murder of their 
spiritual leader. Earth was no match for the technologically superior 
Minbari, and they easily beat us back to our home planet. 

Then, without explanation, as their ships closed in on Earth and wiped 
out our last desperate defenses, the Minbari halted their advance and 
surrendered. Only an elite few knew why. 

The Babylon Project was conceived in the aftermath of the war. Modeled 
after the United Nations, it would be a meeting place, neutral ground, 
where the powers could meet and work out their differences peacefully. 

The first three Babylon stations were sabotaged in mid-construction. The 
fourth was completed, but just as it was about to go online, it vanished 
without a trace. The Earth government would have stopped there, but some 
of the alien governments, seeing the value of a meeting ground, offered
financial assistance for the construction of a fifth station. Naturally, 
there were strings attached. 

Babylon 5 is the story of the last of the Babylon stations, the last hope 
for a galaxy without war. It begins in the year 2257 with the opening of 
the Babylon 5 station. 
_________________________________________________________________________

EARTH ALLIANCE

The 3rd Age of Mankind

Compared to some of the alien governments, the humans are still one of
younger races around. But set in relation to their technology, power 
and age, they occupy a large part of the galaxy. Although Earth now has 
a united governmental body, referred to as Earth gov. Earth is still 
divided into different "consortiums", that have different levels of 
wealth and power. Being one of the hottest "Newcomers" around, other 
governments like the Centauri tried to attach themselves to the Earth 
Alliance. Their Culture is best described by "diversity". Earthers have 
countless religions and a huge contrast between the rich and the poor. 
They have good relations to the Non-Aligned Worlds, since they helped 
many of them in the early part of the 23rd century during the 
"Dingar Wars". 

Technology

Compared to other races the Earthlings are not very advanced. They do 
not have artificial gravity. But, as it seems to lie in human nature, 
they have a development in weapons, that can even match older races like 
the Centaur. And although they were much more advanced, it took the 
Minbari 6 years to win the war. Their Destroyers don't impress through 
sheer level of advancement, but through the masses and power of their 
weapons. Their style is rather functional, also their fighters are 
primarily designed for effective maneuvering, rather than design purposes.
_________________________________________________________________________

CENTAURI REPUBLIC

A long past glory

The Centauri Republic is a monarchy, ruled by an Emperor. The Republic 
once spanned the galaxy, but a little over 100 years ago their empire 
began to decline. One event that escalated this decline, was the loss of 
Narn, in the mid-22nd century. In the years that following, the Centauri 
had to leave many worlds, and at a constant loss of power. Shortly later 
they established contact with Earth, and gave the Earthers Jumpgate 
technology in exchange for trade-agreements. in the mid-23rd century, 
when the Republic consisted of only a dozen colonies , many Centauri 
wished for the "old days" back again.
The Narn Regime had grown to become their biggest adversary. The Narns 
kept pushing back their borders and the Centuri had neither the will, 
nor the power to withstand their expansion.

Technology

Their technology is relatively advanced. In development they are
somewhere between the Earth Alliance and the Minbari Federation.
Their ships have artificial gravity, and although they don't have the
"slicer-beam" technology like the Shadows, or the less powerful
Minbari version, their weapons are fairly advanced.
They use a variety of Projectile Weapons including the fearsome 
mass-driver technology, a weapon that has been banned by all races 
because of it's destructive power.
Their ships are an expression of their culture, very excentric but 
also stylish.
_________________________________________________________________________

NARN REGIME

A Dying Race

A 1000 years ago the Shadows used Narn as a base of operations. 
At that time our Telepaths were almost exterminated, and we could never 
"breed" new ones. When the Centauri came to our world, they enslaved us 
for over 100 years, but we fought for our freedom, and finally won it by 
driving the Centauri from our world through a constant underground 
resistance. In this way we started the decline of the Centauri Republic, 
and began to expand our territory again.

Technology

Like the Earthlings, we are not as advanced in technology as many other 
aliens. We do not have artificial gravity in our ships, but we do have 
great weaponry. Our technical development level is somewhere below the 
Centauri, but slightly higher than that of the Earthlings. As Narn are a 
proud people, we want to express that through the design of our ships.
Our Ships are a masterpiece of design and efficiency, beautiful but also 
powerful.
_________________________________________________________________________

MINBARI

The oldest of the youngest

The Minbari are the oldest of the "younger races" in the Galaxy. 
They had already taken an active role in the last Shadow War a thousand 
years ago. They have a relationship with the Vorlons, though not a 
relationship as close as we might suspect. 
A thousand years ago, Valen, a Minbari not born of Minbari appeared 
with a space station that helped them win the war against the Shadows. 
Valen formed the Grey Council, members of which represented the three 
castes of the Mimbari culture - Religious, Warrior, and Worker. 
Resulting in a thousand years of peace for the Minbari people. Then, in 
the 23nd century they engaged in a terrible war with the Earthlings, 
in which they almost eradicated the whole race. But on the final day, 
when victory was inevitable, they mysteriously surrendered. 
Later, the Minbari signed on to the Babylon Project. 

Technology

The Minbari are an advanced people. They have a limited level of organic 
technology, and can control gravity at a higher level than the Centauri. 
They even have an early version of a "Slicer-Beam", although not as 
powerful as the fearsome weapons of the Shadow's. 
Their Cruisers, although massive, have an elegant, fish-like quality as 
they "swim" through the vacume of space. Yet they are the most powerful, 
and advanced ships of the younger races.
_________________________________________________________________________

VORLONS

Creatures of Light

The Vorlons are one of a group of races known as the First Ones. 
When many of the earlier races left the outer rim of the Galaxy the 
Vorlons stayed behind to help guide the younger races. They occupy a 
large part of space, and no outsider has ever returned from there. 
The Vorlon's true appearance is a mystery, for no one has ever seen a 
Vorlon outside of his protective Encounter Suit. 

Technology

Their technology is very advanced. They use Organic Technology, and their 
vessels are living, conscious entities. Their weapons are very powerful, 
and rival Shadow weaponry. When a Vorlon dies, his ship commits suicide by 
flying into a star.
_________________________________________________________________________

SHADOWS

The Ancient Enemy

The Shadows are an ancient race. They are rumoured to be one of the 
older of the earlier races in the Galaxy known as the First Ones. 
Their outward appearance is somewhat spider-like, but like the Vorlons, 
this may also be an Encounter Suit of a fashion. 
The last time they awakened was a 1000 years ago, but were defeated by 
a coalition that consisted of the Minbari, some other races, some of 
the remaining First Ones and the Vorlons. 
Now that they have awakened again, they are slowly, and secretly 
rebuilding their fleet. 

Technology

Their technology is impressive. They use Organic Technology, living ships, 
with a living being as a central, operating core. Their Shadow Vessels 
are almost invincible to conventional weapons. They have several fearsome 
weapons, including the powerful "Slicer Beam", which easily cuts through 
enemy vessels. Their ships are huge, and have a beautiful but menacing, 
spider-like appearance. Their sight alone instils fear into the minds 
of the onlookers. They carry their Fighters inside these dark ships, and 
can launch them like a "swarm" of projectiles towards the enemy.