(Mongoose) Centauri Republic - Out Next Week!
 

Hi guys,

The Centauri/Narn War seems to be in full swing, with agents on both sides seeking to delay the publication of the Fact Books that will help their enemies! However, the Centauri have fought through and we are proud to announce the release of the Centauri Republic Fact Book next week.

If you enjoyed the previous Earth Alliance and Minbari books, you are going to find the Babylon 5 line is just getting better and better - the Centauri Republic Fact Book is a real cracker. Written by August Hahn, it spans 200 pages and delves into every aspect of Centauri life, culture and society.

Box texts throughout expand on various aspects discussed in the main text, with many written by a very familiar face. The book kicks off with a look at Centauri Biology, covering their basic anatomy, hair styles, sexual activities, internal structure and senses (which are highly acute, far beyond the human range of perceptions). The rise of telepathy and the difference this manifests itself between the sexes is also inspected, along with typical foods, and specific diseases that affect this race. Rules are provided for ageing effects upon Centauri, together with their general life cycles.

There are also a small number of Centauri sub-races, though they are extremely rare. The Shenaro were purged, though not successfully, after their slave uprising against Emperor Ludo, while the other servitor race, the Vendura Kado, were are limited run of genetic experiments. Rules are also provided for the Xon though, of course, none now live. Probably. . .

Psychology and Sociology is a very important chapter for any race, but none so much as for the Centauri. Complete rules are provided for social classes and customs, allowing Centauri players to chart their own progress and truly see if their 'star is rising'. Centauri are born into either noble, commoner or slave families, and this has a profound effect upon their childhood and eventual destiny. The education and careers of each (where available) is fully detailed, as is the fate of the elders of each class. Entertainment, art, fashion and literature all provide a valuable insight into the Centauri mind, as well as give players a great many hooks for their own characters but the Game of Houses, the status and politics of the Centauri Republic will concentrate the minds of many power-hungry Centauri players, I think. This is a complete set of rules allowing players to gain status for themselves and their House, make enemies and forge alliances, as their star begins to rise in the Republic - and perhaps even catch the eye of the Emperor. The Great Houses are detailed, including House Refa, Mollari, Jaddo and many others, if a Centauri player decides to go up against the big guns.

The next chapter, Centauri Organisations, looks at some of the power groups present in the Republic. There are several corporations, run by the larger Houses and, of course, the military still provides a road to great status for an ambitious noble. The three fleets of the Republic are fully detailed and their organisation explained, together with all important information on rank (useful for players seeking to make their name in this field). Ground forces are also important, along with the Old Guard, defenders of the past. The Shadows are deeply ingrained into Centauri society, though never openly, and there is plenty to occupy a GM in this section.

The History of Centauri Civilisation charts the progress of the race from their earliest wars with the Xon, through the inception of religion (and the coming of the Great Maker), right up to the creation of the largest empire the galaxy has seen, its eventual waning, and the reawakening of old dreams.

In Worlds of the Republic, we detail every Centauri world. Every one. Complete with maps. This time around, as well as global maps and descriptions of each world, we have also provided a complete map of the Imperial City on Centauri Prime, allowing players to dive right into the heart of the Republic on their first visit to Centauri space.

Centauri Technology looks not only at the development of technology in the Republic and how it is achieved, but also the way they market such discoveries among themselves and to other races, providing a very stable economy in the process. New weapons are detailed - the Diplomat's Laser, Centaurum Guardsman Rifle, Kurago PPG, Agony Whip and many others. Poisons enjoy a section to themselves and players with the right contacts can begin experimenting with custom poisons tailored to a specific enemy or method of delivery. All part and parcel of being a Centauri noble. General equipment is also provided for this race, including gravity generators, cufflink medical scanners, opera crystals and many more, before their range of heavy weapons are expanded. Vehicles and spacecraft are detailed next and we have the full load here - from Altarian Destroyers to Vorchan Warships, there is enough here to start your own private war in your campaign.

Centauri Characters gives players a primer on how to approach a character of this race - this includes roleplaying notes, ambition, the need for competition, arrogance and attitudes towards slavery. This is backed up by some new rules. There are alternate uses for skills (for use only by Centauri) such as using Sense Motive to gauge potential reactions or Forgery to duplicate high fashion for those lacking sufficient ducats. New feats and traits are also given for Centauri, allowing characters to become Pur'fa Specialists, have naturally sharp nails, or be socially Untouchable, among others.

Prestige classes allow players to specialise in and begin exploring the furthest niches of Centauri society. They include the Auturo Marcasus, Royal Guard, Koro Pridari (got a feeling that will be popular. . .), Mindhawk and Prophetess.

So, once you have all this information on the Centauri, are you just supposed to just roll up a Centauri character and explore the galaxy with some human friends? Oh, no - there can be more to it than that! A full chapter has been dedicated to running Centauri-only campaigns, with players fighting to expand the Republic and rise the standing of their Houses and (more importantly) themselves. Plenty of politicking, back-stabbing and retribution in that sort of campaign!

The book winds up with a few Centauri NPCs, from general characters the GM can pull out at short notice (such as Interrogation Telepaths, Soldiers, Thugs, etc) to some of the heavyweight personalities present in the Republic - Londo, Vir, Refa, and the Voice of Turhan, Lady Morella.

The Centauri Republic Fact Book is a 200 page full colour hardback priced at $34.95, and available from all good games stores and book shops next week.