Session Start: Wed Mar 05 19:00:10 CST 2003 * Now talking in #dnd3e * Topic is: 'Mongoose Pub's Babylon 5,TODAY @ 8PM EST'
thatdarncat	Tonight we've got Matt from Mongoose Publishing to talk about and answer questions on the Babylon 5 roleplaying game.
thatdarncat	Matt,would you like to introduce Mongoose and yourself?
Mongoose_Matt	Right then!I am Matthew Sprange, one of the owners of Mongoose Publishing.  We have a whole bunch of d20 books out right now, of which some people seem to think are quite cool :)
thatdarncat	I hear you've got this groovy new book based on Babylon 5?
Mongoose_Matt	Thathas been the rumour:) 304 pages, full colour, hardback, coming out at the end of May.
thatdarncat	What's the full title?
Mongoose_Matt	The Babylon 5 Roleplaying Game and Fact Book.  With a subtitle of Signs & Portents. A bit of a mouthful, but it gets the point across!
thatdarncat	How much can we expect to pay for this tome of goodness?
Mongoose_Matt	In the US $44.95. UK price is actually undecided at the moment, but likely either £24.95 or £29.95. We'll have to see for that.
Sulimo	Is JMS involved directly in anyway with the B5 game?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes and no. The main rulebook is what you might call 'standard' stuff - all being derivative of the TV show, films and novels, so it requires less of an overseeing.  However, he will be getting very involved with the Centauri, Minbari and all the other race books, I am told.
Baloo	Will Larry diTillio (author of Masks of Nyarlathotep and story editor during the first two seasons of B5) be involved with the RPG?
Mongoose_Matt	Not at this time - but we'll just have to see what will happen! We are doing our level best to make this _the_ definitive B5 work. So, you never know who it may bring to the fore. . .
thatdarncat	How closely will the game follow the series?
Mongoose_Matt	110% :) Seriously. If you see it on the screen, you will get it in the game. _No_ stone is being left unturned. Early on, we decided we would try to fit _everything_ into this new game, from a background perspective.  Can't be done in one volume, of course, but we are doing pretty well so far!
blackshirt	Is Bab5 gonna have rules for ship-to-ship combat?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes. For the main rulebook, we are using a derivative of the Dragonstar rules with a big dollop of B5 flavour and special rules dumped in. Basically, the DS system scales very well between character,surface, air and space combat, tying everything together as one whole. Which is what we were primarily looking for, as B5 should be about characters, _not_ just cool technology. However, we may look at doing an advanced space combat supplement later on, as I think this may be quite popular.
Funksaw	I'd also like to know how you decided to handle "research." Like for example, when G'Kar researches that his homeworld's telepaths were all slaughtered during the First Shadow War.
Mongoose_Matt	This is _basically_ tied into the skill system - we have elevated the use of skills far beyond anything you have seen in a d20 game before. Skills maketh the character in a _big_ way - you cannot shoot yourself out of all problems, so doing things like research and diplomatic negotiations are central to many actions.
Funksaw	One of the basic effects of the d20 system is that typically at low to mid, characters need to min/max a particular skill/stat combination in order to succeed with any degree of consistancy, discouraging multiclassing and well rounded characters, which are both prevelant in B5's canon. How will Mongoose's d20 modifications handle jack of all trades characters at low-mid levels? Will there be a "degree of success mechanic?"
Mongoose_Matt	This is typically scaled by level, but also by the degree of synergy you can have between related skills.  A good example of the former is documented in the first story arc for the game, Fiery Trial, that shows the scaling of DCs in progress, though the main rulebook gives the guidelines for this.
Funksaw	Will the D&D PHB be required to play the game?  Specifically - will GMs and Players constantly be looking up rules in two different books to look up skills and feats, or will the relevant ones be reprinted in the B5 rulebook?
Mongoose_Matt	I won't lie - you will likely need both, though the PHB will probably be picked up only 10% of the time, as we have changed so many of the basic skills and feats. That said, we are not going to reprint something like Weapon Focus just for the fun of it. If it is a straight duplication, we kept it in the PHB.  Makes more room for the B5 setting material which, I am guessing, is what at least 50% of customers are going to want above all else :)
Funksaw	How will you handle the elements like contacts, allies, enemies, influence, access to higher tech-levels... all those fun things that White Wolf handles in Backgrounds and GURPS handles in Advantages.
Mongoose_Matt	This is split into three - at a very basic level, skills (Diplomacy, Gather Information, Intimidate, etc. . .), feats (such as belonging to a powerful noble Centauri familyfrom 1st level) and class features (the Diplomat class scores big time here). Over time, characters in B5 will have built up a range of contacts and allies via all three methods (not forgetting good old fashioned playtesting, of course!). These will become vital as characters start to become movers and shakers in the galaxy.
thatdarncat	How will you handle owing someone a favour? Will that be reflected in any way?
Mongoose_Matt	That will be pure roleplaying - the consequences of denying favours is always best left to the GM. And in the B5 galaxy, that can have powerful ramifications. There is a complete chapter in the book dealing with just this sort of issue. . .
blackshirt	How is Bab5 gonna mesh with the rest of D20(I read something about no AC)?
Mongoose_Matt	If something in d20 worked, we kept it. If not, we ditched it. AC has been replaced by Defence Value, which is based off Reflex saves, as with Judge Dredd (though the saving throw values are all different in B5).  Armour actually reduces damage, there is a new psychic system in there, people don't have very many hit points and, well, lots of things! However, by using the d20 System at its core, you can also port elements of B5 to Dragonstar, Armageddon 2089 or even Judge Dredd. . .
thatdarncat	What can you tell us about the new Psionic rules?
Mongoose_Matt	Hmm.. . Well, every telepath has a P-Rating which, of course, never changes. This is basically what is used as a saving throw against his abilities. He chooses an ability to use, such as Deep Scan, Fabricated Reality (some are involuntary, such as Accidental Scan and Danger Sense), and makes a Telepathy check at a required DC. Certain things effect thios, such as being in hyperspace or wearing gloves. That, in a nutshell is it - though there is a lot built into the system that allows you to use abilities to a greater effect if you have a good P-Rating, plus some abilities are reliant on others. Oh, and it is telepathy, not psionics :)
thatdarncat	So do you have to pick each individual ability? Are they something akin to feats? Or skills?
Mongoose_Matt	Neither,really. All telepaths have access to certain basic abilities, and can add more as they get more experienced. However, you have to be able to Surface Scan before you can Deep Scan. . .
blackshirt	Are the Psionics rules gonna be usable with any Psionics stuff previously published for D20?
Mongoose_Matt	No - we make no effort (!) to make new d20 games compatible.  If they turn up that way, fine, but we will _never_ compromise B5 just for the sake of better d20 integration.  As far as we are concerned they are different games, even if they share similar systems.  That should go some way to pleasing Funksaw  :)
Koumdros	How is the P-rating calculated? Is it random at character generation or "bought"?
Mongoose_Matt	Basically, there are a number of set categories that you can choose - P1-2, P3-5 and so on.  Within each, the P-Rating is random.  However, you lose out on skill points and possibly feats as you go up the P-Rating scale, which can really hurt low level characters as they struggle to keep pace with their friends.
Funksaw	Characters in B5 have an uncanny ability to come back from death through insane and improbable plot twists.  How do  you emulate this in B5d20?
Mongoose_Matt	That is kid of covered either through the d20 System itself (going up to -9 hit points or being in a huge explosion and just losing hit points) or through direct plot devices on the part of the GM.  However, we have also made allowances that characters have a habit of dying or disappearing in B5.  Death of a PC is not always something to be feared in this game. . .
Apok	Will Rangers be a PRC? If so, will they appear in the main book or in a suppliment?
Cold_Beer	Will Rangers be broken...or get the shaft?
Mongoose_Matt	To begin with, Rangers will be a Prc. That said, we are actually planning two types - the 'true' Anla'shok, and the ISA Ranger, which will come later.  They will first appear in the Coming of Shadows sourecebook, which will be the third release for the game. However, in the fullness of time, they will be getting their own tome.
Hildulf	What Core Classes can we expect to see in Bab5?
Mongoose_Matt	Let me see if I can recall this without notes - Agent, Diplomat, Lurker, Scientist, Soldier, Officer, Telepath, Worker.
thatdarncat	What's an Agent? :)
Mongoose_Matt	Can be a variety of things - a 'fixer', an assassin, a spy, a diplomatic trouble maker - we tried to make the classes as broad as possible, to allow any character to be created.  For example, a diplomat may not be just a political animal - he could be a top-flight lawyer or a negotiator for a corporation. .  .  All of these, of course, have examples in the main book.
Funksaw	You mentioned on "RPG.net's" message boards that the original version of the class system was broad enough to encompass 99% of the character concepts that someone would want to play without prestige classes. (Pesky techmoages!)  Why was this changed to the "80%" figure you quoted? Why was this 80% figure made a design goal? Will the other 19% be provided for free on Mongoose's website?
Mongoose_Matt	No,the other 19% will appear in another chapter as Prcs :) B5 has extremely strong archetypes, which is precisely why we did not use a classless system (we seriously considered it). People, I think, _want_ to say they are a Psi Cop, Ranger or whatever - and wear it like a badge. PRcs also give us a chance to introduce new class features in a far more flexible way, steering them directly towards the archetype. A Psi Cop, for example, is far more than just a good telepath. . . As for Technomages, they will appear in Coming of Shadows too, but they are crying out for their own book. . .
thatdarncat	Will Technomages be a PRC or a straight class?
Mongoose_Matt	Well, we want to do them justice - so the Technomage that appears in Coming of Shadows is a PRc, but is classed as a 'student' of the technomages, not someone raised by them from birth. That guy will appear in their own book, but GMs (and players, for that matter) will have everything they need to at least introduce these guys early on in the game's line up.
thatdarncat	What level will this cap out at? 20? Higher?
Mongoose_Matt	We actually haven't set any real pre-defined limits, and there is no real reason why people cannot go above 20th level if they are playing high-powered games. However, we will structure the main characters for 20 levels total. So Sinclair, for example, starts out at 8th level, and G'Kar at 10th. Vir, if I remember right, begins as a 1st level Diplomat :) Level progression, though, is slower in B5.
thatdarncat	So, the major characters will be stated out in the main books?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes. Completely. Bester too :) He's a bit hard. . .
Hildulf	Will there be stats to play the Shadows and/or Vorlons?
Mongoose_Matt	Not in the main rulebook.  We would _never_ have been able to do them justice in the space available. However, the GM does have some guidelines on what to do if the players suddenly decide to try to knock off Kosh. . . The Shadows & Vorlons sourcebook on the other hand. . . 128 pages stuffed full of material on these chaps - sound good? :)
Koumdros	Do all races have the same ECL and do you think this rightly reflects the series?... those space elves seeemd to be able to kick the crap out of everyone else... with one hand tied behind their back :D
Mongoose_Matt	Yes - and you are right, the Minbari were an absolute bitch to balance. If anything, I would have made them even more powerful than they are now :) However, everything still balances out quite nicely.
thatdarncat	So everyone has the same ECL?
Mongoose_Matt	Correct.
thatdarncat	Even the Vorlons? :D
Mongoose_Matt	To get an idea of the power of a Vorlon, flick through Deities & Demigods :)
Hildulf	How deeply will the common races of the Bab5 Universe be covered?
Mongoose_Matt	In the main rulebook, you will have everything you need in terms of personality, physical traits, their governments, technology and all the other necessities. If you want more (!), each of the major races (including humans!) is getting a 200 page hardback packed _full_ of new rules and background. This is what I meant by us wanting to do absolutely _everything_ in B5. Literally no stone will get left unturned.  The B5 setting is just too good for us to squander this opportunity.
Mrs. Hildulf	Will all the ISA races be given the same attention?
Mongoose_Matt	No, because the ISA does not exist yet :) However, we have full rules and details for the Drazi, Brakiri, Vree, Abbai, Gaim, Pak'ma'ra - more will be added later.
Sulimo	How have with you dealt with the differing tech level issues among the races? I guess there would be some thought (by some people) to balance the races against each other like in D&D.
Mongoose_Matt	This is reflected in their equipment more than anything else but, at a personal level, there is little enough between them - everyone has a PPG or equivalent. ON the other hand, being an RPG, it does not always have to be fair. Minbari ships are _sick_ in this game. They are truly terrifying. Start running. Now.
Hildulf	Will there be rules regarding creating characters like Sinclair/Valen, going FROM one race to another, like adding a template?
Mongoose_Matt	You know, we spent a lot of time on this - right after we finished the main rulebook, we had to deal with the 'Delenn question'. . . In the end, no. There _are_ no changes, game wise. She is still effectively Minbari. She gets no new skills or feats. There is nothing you can do with the rules in this case. Which, I think, is probably how it should be.
Baloo	So much for teeps, but what about teeks? And will there be anything on experimental methods of increasing P-rating - both of the main teeps on the show got boosted (Talia by Ironheart, Lyta by the Vorlons).
Mongoose_Matt	Just been working on that today, actually, in Talia's case. And I believe Bruce is going to have all sorts of interesting rules for Psi Corps experiments in the Earth Alliance book. However, as to Lyta's true powers as a Vorlon Agent, I am afraid you are going to have to wait for those :)
Apok	Will this book use the D&D Hit Point standard or did you change it? If so, what kind of system are you using to keep track of damage? Does it involve a "deathspiral" effect (you take penalties as you take more damage)?
Mongoose_Matt	No - we kept it quick and easy.  Stabilisation rules are a little different, in that they are affected by Con, but we kept degredation out of things. Combat has been made very deadly, and a lot of the 'battles' will take place in the political or criminal arenas :)
Hildulf	Since DragonStar is going to be the ship to ship combat base, will we need the DragonStar books, in order to play this aspect of the game?
Mongoose_Matt	No,all relevant rules (and they have been altered) are in the B5 main rulebook. All you need is that and the PHB.
Hildulf	Will we have ship stats for Capitol ships as well as single manned fighters?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes. Of course :) Hyperions, Sharlins (eek!), Starfuries, Shuttles, Frazis - all in there!
ascendence	If combat is going to be highly deadly, are there going to be additional rules for subdual and knocking people out?
Mongoose_Matt	Not additional rules - but greater emphasis is naturally placed on subdual attacks. This is the cool thing about the B5 RPG - it plays _so_ differently to any other d20 System game I have tried. Kinda difficult to explain, but you'll get it - not when you read the rules but when you actually _play_. . . .
dread0395	What (if any) schedule for previews do you have for the game?
Mongoose_Matt	I'll likely do with this what I did with Armageddon - wait until it is laid out, then start pinching cool looking pages as PDFs  :)
Baloo	Will the Shadows & Vorlons SB have stuff on the other First Ones too, like the Walkers at Sigma?
Mongoose_Matt	That decision has not been made yet - I am half tempted to give the First Ones their own book, complete with rules on actually playing them at the dawn of time.  However, we'll have to see how that goes.
Doppelganger	Will there be a supplement for high-level games?
Mongoose_Matt	Not any time soon (like, within the first 6 mopnths), but it is a distinct possibility - what I would like to do is put out a book that expands on Chapter 9 of the main rulebook, detailing exactly how to run a cool B5 campaign and give your players the screaming willies!
DarkPsion	Will there be TV photos or art (Better than Chameleon's)?
Neo1	Matt what kind of Art can we expect in the book? please don't let it ALL be stills from the series some CGI images for the ships would be awesome and some nice clean clear images for the races... can we expect this sort of thing?
Mongoose_Matt	The vast majority will be clips from the shows and films. However, we have some cool artwork being commissioned - a completely new galaxy map, floorplans for, well, the entire B5 station, technical diagrams. The works! Lots of CGI - to see what we are capable of, check out Armageddon 2089 - in many ways, a forerunner of the B5 RPG.
Baloo	How big will the supplements be and how much will they cost? I want to know exactly how poor you guys are going to make me... :)
Mongoose_Matt	The 'race' books are going to be 200 page full colour hardbacks, though we have actually yet to settle on a firm price for them. Possibly $34.95. The rest, however, will be 128 page full colour softbacks, coming in at $24.95.
Hildulf	Okay. So we're going to have the Core Book, and race books... Can we also expect to see gear books, Psi books, critter books, vehicle books, and so forth? What's on the plate so far?
Mongoose_Matt	Basically, I want to concentrate on the real 'tool' stuff first - so the first set of releases will concentrate on the major races and the seasons (years) up to the 3rd. That gives players and GMs most of the strong archetypes to play with . After that, we'll start to diversify - taking Vorlons apart (!), giving rules for free traders, that kind of thing. It will be a while before you see an equipment splat book in the B5 line :)
Hildulf	Will the book(s) cover the entire series or just the first couple seasons? Will there be information on playing in each major timeframe of Bab5? Pre Shadow War, in the Shadow War, and post Shadow War?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes and no - the main rulebook features only 2258 and the B5 station itself in really anal (!) detail. However, there are plenty of hints and tips for running in other timelines and other locations. However, if you want superdetailing (like, for example, complete maps of the major Centauri cities. . . ), then you will have to wait until the appropriate sourcebook. Sorry to do things this way but there really is too much information for us to do all at once, if we want to do things properly.
Baloo	Will the B5 RPG go into what might have been, like what would have happened with Crusade and/or Legend of the Rangers if they hadn't been killed by stupid execs?
Mongoose_Matt	Well, our licence covers those areas but I can't really make any promises just yet. I have a feeling that certain people will wait until they see our Minbari books, etc, before making that decision for us :)
Cold_Beer	Will the Babylon 5 galaxy be mapped out?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes. And this time, Z'ha'dum is on it :)
Hildulf	Will there be a system for designing planets based on a set of parameters that fit within the Bab5 Universe?
Mongoose_Matt	Not in the main rulebook, though GMs have plenty of help there with alternate environments and such things. However, we have gone into rather a lot of detail about jumpgate use and hyperspace navigation :)
ascendence	Also, the Dragonstar starship rules bug me a lot because of the size cap. Are you going to re-adjust the ship size classes to include everything from worker bees to planet destroyers?
Mongoose_Matt	Yes :) Messing around with the size classes and what they actually mean is one of our major tweaks. However, keep in mind that things like Planet Killers and Babylon 5 itself are too large for normal ship combat. They are handled in more abstract ways (your Starfuries can damage B5 but they are bnever going to blow it up).
Shoggoth	Will there be optional rules for resolving space combat using the B5 Wars game or Full Thrust or something similar?  Or will the rules be complete enough that this isn't necessary?
Mongoose_Matt	It is not a war game, though there is miniatures support. We were originally going to set aside several pages to convert between the RPG and B5 Wars but with the sad demise of AoG, that was no longer possible. This is _not_ a B5 Wars replacement - this is the RPG. However, as I said, we may return to an advanced ship combat game at a later date. . .
Kourdros	Do you plan to use the ship names/classes by AoG? There is lots if intellectual work there and it would be a shame to lose all that.
Mongoose_Matt	Determining what is canon and what is not is a real minefield for B5. In the end, we chose just to treat the TV sahow as canaon and nothing else - however, that does not mean we don't delve into the other material when there is cool stuff to be found. IN terms of these hips, you will see a lot of them in the RPG, and we have been using the game as a reference for some weapons fits. However, some will not make it.
Andy_Hock	Thanks, Matt, for all your insights into your upcoming B5 game.
Mongoose_Matt	Happy to have been here! Hope I have answered enough people'squestions! Catch you all later. . .