This is a simulation of, but not a reiteration of the Science Fiction Series, Babylon 5; concentrating on the "big picture" of what was happening in the background behind the series.

Note: Edits from suggestions are indicated in italics.

Hopefully it could be fun

The Universe Settings:

• Universe Size: Large
  
• Density: Normal
  
• NO Beginner Maximum Minerals
  
• Slower Tech Advances
  
• NO Public Player Scores
  
• Galaxy Clumping
  

Ancient Races(Vorlon and Shadow):

• The Ancient Races must be played by players of at least intermediate skill.
  
• The Ancient Races are One-World Wonders
  
• They have minimum spread in hab settings for all enviromental settings.
  
• They may colonize other planets if they find them in Phase II and III, but still only HW defeat counts for victory.
  
• The Vorlon must be Inner Strength. (taken)
  
• The Shadow must be Super-Stealth. (taken)
  
• Note: The Ancient Races will be aided by zero-cost start to help tech advancement.
  

Lesser Races:

• Players may be of any skill level.
  
• NO IT (because of gate transport)
  
• NO SS (because of Tech Advances)
  
• All other PRTs are possible
  
• No cheap techs
  
• Possible Races are not limited to this list but may include:
  1. Abbai
  2. Brakiri Krona
  3. Centauri (taken)
  4. Drakh (taken)
  5. Drazi Freehold (taken)
  6. Earth Alliance (taken)
  7. Gaim Intelligence
  8. Hyak (taken)
  9. Ipsha
  10. Llort Mi-Ma-Ti (taken)
  11. Markab (taken)
  12. Minbari (taken)
  13. Narn (taken)
  14. Pak'ma'ra (taken)
  15. Vree Ventuki Conglomerate
  16. Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah (taken)
  17. Independant Mars (taken)
  
• At least ten, preferably twelve lesser races must be in the game for it to run.
  

Play Restrictions:

• Chaff and Split-Fleet Dodge are allowed, any other published or non-published cheats are disallowed.
  
• The Orbital device named "Stargate" in any guise does not exist.
  - ie. do not build it, the ISN will know as soon as it goes into orbit and the race which builds it will become immediately inactive until a suitable penalty can be determined.
  
• However, the "Jumpgate" IS an acceptable device if you can figure out how to get it
  
• INACTIVITY
  - During the Second Phase, the Ancient races will follow inactive rules for submission of moves.
  1) By default they are "inactive" meaning they may submit one move every three turns.
  2) If they are "attacked" they may become "active" meaning they may submit turns for five moves.
  3) All turn submissions during this time must be done via the hosts... ie. they DO NOT KNOW THEIR UPLOAD PASSWORDS.
  
• DEFEATED
  - All victory conditions are based on the defeat of the Ancient Homeworlds. This means eradication of population on the planets.

Victory Conditions:

• The Shadows win the game if the Vorlon HW is defeated
  
• The Vorlon win the game if the Shadow HW is defeated
  
• The Interstellar Alliance wins if the Vorlon and Shadow HWs are defeated.
  
• For the lesser races:
  - If they are allied with Vorlons and the Vorlon win, they win with Vorlons;
  - If they are allied with Shadow and the Shadow win, they win with Shadows;
  - If they are allied with the Interstellar Alliance and the Alliance wins, they win with the Alliance.
  - If a lesser race defeats both the Vorlon and Shadow HWs alone, they claim a decisive victory.
  
• Ranking:The winning team will win an advance, and the most losing team will receive a decrement.
  

The Host Races:

• The Gate Network
  - builds gates for all races requesting gates
  - this will be done on a first come first served basis
  - the requesting race will have to supply minerals totalling the cost of the gate constructed in terms of minerals and resources.
  - gates will be any/300 and any race will be given information of connecting gates within range of a gate where they are present.
  
• The Interstellar News Network
  - will supply "information" and "misinformation" to all races
  - this will be done via whim and blackmail by the ISN.
  - what is true and what is false will eventually come out in the wash as well
  

First Phase: (2400-2500):

"Signs and Portents"

• Shadow and Vorlons build their economy and increase their research.
  
• Neither race can move population into orbit in this phase.
  
• They can build scouts to know the universe or Remote Miners to get more minerals.
  
• No colonization or mine fields at this time.
  
• No combat allowed in this phase to any race, including Major ones. Vorlon and Shadows can build fleets if they want but these must stay in HW until 2500.
  
• During this phase turns will advance at 5/gen... basically the host races and ancient races will submit 5 turns worth of orders and then get to view situation before submitting again.
  

BALANCE IDEA: At the end of this phase Vorlon OR Shadow Economic/Research alone should be superior to the sum of economics/research of all minor races, but equal to each other. Vorlon and Shadows should also have knowledge about the universe and some combat fleets they can use next phase... They have only 1 world (HW).

Second Phase (2500-2550):

"The Coming of the Shadows"

• Lesser Races may now submit turns.
  
• Vorlons and Shadows move using inactive rules (defined above.)
  
• Vorlons and Shadows may colonize.
  
• Vorlons and Shadows can attack any races fleets and each others colonies.
  
• No homeworlds may be attacked.
  
• Diplomacy
  - at the end of this phase alliances will be revealed.
  - There will be three sets of alliances, The Shadow Servants (max 2 lesser races+Shadows), The Bringers of Light (max 2 lesser races+Vorlon), The Interstellar Alliance (the remainder of the lesser races)
  

BALANCE IDEA: At the end of this phase, the "Vorlon + Shadow" economics should be equal to the sum of each lesser race, and equal to each other. Shadow and Vorlon plays a really "tricky and diplomatic game" choosing which minor race will be "recruited". They can attack each other, or minor races fleets only. Minor races can attack each others fleets and colonies. All races survive this phase as no HW can be attacked.

Third Phase (2550+):

"Point of No Return"

• No move restrictions, ancient races are fully mobilized.
  
• Alliances are now published, any hidden alliances are now displayed.
  

BALANCE IDEA: FULL WAR.
By this time, vorlon and shadows are running against the clock. Their economies should drop below others as time passes, their permanent allies will help them a bit, but the Interstellar Alliance is now a true rival... Open war begins....

Thank you Sergio Silva for your very delicious idea

If you are interested in playing, it would be wise to "reserve your race" and then build and submit the race to "donjon at btl dot net" You may also PM me. I envision a start in October.

[Updated on: Mon, 25 October 2004 16:42]

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donjon wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 12:56

BALANCE IDEA: At the end of this phase Vorlon OR Shadow Economic/Research alone should be superior to the sum of economics/research of all minor races, but equal to each other.

Quote:

The Vorlon must be Inner Strength

Equal too eachother? Vorlon will have a lot more pop.

mch

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Micha wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 06:49

Equal too eachother? Vorlon will have a lot more pop.

Ah yes, but then the Shadow gains the Research Benefit to counter that....

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donjon wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 15:02

Ah yes, but then the Shadow gains the Research Benefit to counter that....

IS can overpop their OWW planet and have more resources to research, plus once colonisation phase starts they can fill up a their (few) worlds very quickly ...
As for the Spy Bonus, 14-16 races playing, only 2 researching ... bonus gets divided by number of all players IIRC ...

I'll take the IS.

mch

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donjon wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 17:03

Is that a join?

Euhm ... I meant I'd take the IS over the SS ... It's interesting but I expect my current game to get more and more complicated ...
Also I don't know anything about Babylon Five except from what I've read at this forum (previous postings and discussion) ...

mch

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Micha wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 09:12

Euhm ... I meant I'd take the IS over the SS ... It's interesting but I expect my current game to get more and more complicated ... Also I don't know anything about Babylon Five except from what I've read at this forum (previous postings and discussion) ...

I am familiar with you and your habits, not to worry

However, I don't believe it is necessary to know Babylon 5 in order to enjoy this game.

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Steve wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 13:11

Perhaps a rule that no pop in space in phase 1!

Yes, edits have been applied

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donjon wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 13:07

Steve wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 13:11 Perhaps a rule that no pop in space in phase 1! Yes, edits have been applied

Yes, lesser race indeed

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Did you not say, "NO PREGAME ALLIANCES"

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Some questions:

The Universe Settings -> Randome Events? On/Off?

Quote:

The Ancient Races will be aided by zero-cost start to help tech advancement.

So Vorlons/Shadows do not depend on own research? Or only for a bit?

Quote:

They have minimum spread in hab settings for all enviromental settings.

Shifted to the edges or centered? Vorlon and Shadows have the same hab? Or up to the player?

First Phase: (2400-2500) -> what are the lesser races doing? Alchemy? Pop growing? Or situation at 2500 is equal to their situation at 2400?

Quote:

The Gate Network - builds gates for all races requesting gates - this will be done on a first come first served basis

How long will it take to get a gate up? Will the Gate Network have pop with LFs waiting everywhere? I assume it is a 3i IT? They could get a gate build in 1 year on any planet.

Quote:

- the requesting race will have to supply minerals totalling the cost of the gate constructed in terms of minerals and resources.

Which will be not that much since IT gets a gate discount. Hm ... fort/dock/starbase/ultra? Armed? That would cost more ... I guess simple is best, a fort + any/300, nothing more.

Quote:

- gates will be any/300 and any race will be given information of connecting gates within range of a gate where they are present.

So you'll get info about where enemy requested gates and you can use those to gate in your forces. Very interesting. Are players allowed to destroy gates (or the whole planet) or request their removal?
Salvage of battles in orbit going to? (same rule as Twelve Gates?)

mch

[Edit: salvage question]

[Updated on: Wed, 15 September 2004 03:53]

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Quote:

Hmmm, .... what about lesser IS races? Perhaps, "The Tachyon Detector is not a tradeable device" ???

Allies of the IS race would then trade fleet files.
It's not as good as seeing the ships yourself, but it's a much better advantage than not knowing at all.
If you truly want the Shadows race to be Shadows as per Babylon5 then you would have to ban IS or ban Tacheons (for the lesser races).

[Updated on: Wed, 15 September 2004 05:23]

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Steve1 wrote on Wed, 15 September 2004 11:22

Quote: Hmmm, .... what about lesser IS races? Perhaps, "The Tachyon Detector is not a tradeable device" ??? Allies of the IS race would then trade fleet files. It's not as good as seeing the ships yourself, but it's a much better advantage than not knowing at all.

Assuming that once made the alliances will have to stick together untill the end, you just start sharing PWs ... (or better have one PW for the entire team).

mch

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Micha wrote on Wed, 15 September 2004 01:50

Some questions: The Universe Settings -> Randome Events? On/Off?

Random events are on, otherwise it is impossible to get the Jumpgate. (Too bad you couldn't just turn on MT)

Quote:

Quote: The Ancient Races will be aided by zero-cost start to help tech advancement. So Vorlons/Shadows do not depend on own research? Or only for a bit?

The Ancients will be supplied with scrappers for 100 years, any scrappers left over at the end of Phase I will be scrapped in the first turn of Phase II.

The scrappers will supply tech to EN 14,WP 16,PR 16,CN 16,EL 16,BI 12.

Of course it is up to the Ancient races to appropriately utilize these ships to ensure maximum advancement in Phase I.

Quote:

Quote: They have minimum spread in hab settings for all enviromental settings. Shifted to the edges or centered? Vorlon and Shadows have the same hab? Or up to the player?

This is up to the player, of course... they define their 1WW and have full control over habs and techs.

Quote:

First Phase: (2400-2500) -> what are the lesser races doing? Alchemy? Pop growing? Or situation at 2500 is equal to their situation at 2400?

As in normal jumpstarts, they will be in orbit, pop and mins will be recorded at start, and those values will be returned to them +/- some small value. Essentially, they will start at 2400 levels.

Quote:

Quote: The Gate Network - builds gates for all races requesting gates - this will be done on a first come first served basis How long will it take to get a gate up? Will the Gate Network have pop with LFs waiting everywhere? I assume it is a 3i IT? They could get a gate build in 1 year on any planet.

The Gate Network will also do cost 0 advancement in Phase I, slightly different scrappers because the tech requirements are different. They will be gunning for large freighter, warp 10, and any/300 gate. After this has been acquired they will spread out LF colonizers to potential gate locations in the universe to wait for requests. It is hard to predict, but likely gates will go up between one and two years after requests are made. We will do our best to service requests in a timely manner.

Quote:

Quote: - the requesting race will have to supply minerals totalling the cost of the gate constructed in terms of minerals and resources. Which will be not that much since IT gets a gate discount. Hm ... fort/dock/starbase/ultra? Armed? That would cost more ... I guess simple is best, a fort + any/300, nothing more.

We will service by building any starbase design, either armoured or shielded or blank but NOT armed. (Ultras may be a while coming at the beginning)

Quote:

Quote: - gates will be any/300 and any race will be given information of connecting gates within range of a gate where they are present. So you'll get info about where enemy requested gates and you can use those to gate in your forces. Very interesting. Are players allowed to destroy gates (or the whole planet) or request their removal?

The gate network will be very impartial in its dealings with races. The destruction of a gate or colonization of a world which "belongs" to them will not change their opinion of a race.
Minimal pop will be on the worlds when the gate has been placed. The information given concerning the gate network will just be that, the gate network. No information concerning who constructed the gates will be given. The race would have to investigate

Quote:

Salvage of battles in orbit going to? (same rule as Twelve Gates?)

In Twelve Gates it ended up very hard to determine who should get the salvage... The Guild awarded all salvage to the clear owner of the gateworld. However, in this game, salvage should not be quite so concerning, in Twelve Gates, the gateworlds were also objectives which destined them for some massive battles (and they were massive ) I would expect that salvage would be minimal and therefore not a concern, since the mineral requirements for building the Gates will be supplied by the requestor, the Gate Network likely will NOT build mines on a gate planet, they will construct the gate and a LF colonizer (where they can) and ship pop off of the planet. If a race wishes the salvage they may colonize the planet and take the droppings

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Strat wrote on Tue, 14 September 2004 15:10

Did you not say, "NO PREGAME ALLIANCES"

Actually, No... The assumption I am making is that all lesser races are relatively amicable at the start. Later some are cajoled over to the Vorlon corner, and some fall into darkness... And some decide to strike it out on their own.

If you examine the series (which you don't need to,) the Earth Alliance is fairly friendly with the Centauri mostly because they were the first interstellar race they met. And the League of Non-Aligned Worlds was a very hodge-podge mixture of races with varying interests but at least slightly allied.

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Steve1 wrote on Wed, 15 September 2004 03:22

Quote: Hmmm, .... what about lesser IS races? Perhaps, "The Tachyon Detector is not a tradeable device" ??? Allies of the IS race would then trade fleet files. It's not as good as seeing the ships yourself, but it's a much better advantage than not knowing at all. If you truly want the Shadows race to be Shadows as per Babylon5 then you would have to ban IS or ban Tacheons (for the lesser races).

I disagree, the tech of Babylon Five, in the final war was such that they could see and to some extent control the Shadows. Of course, it was based on psionic ability, but we have no psionics in Stars! In Phase III races should be capable of knowing fleet movements of the Shadow, even if it is from second-hand sources. If the Shadows were utimately untraceable there would be no question about who would be the winner of this simulation.

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Quote:

the tech of Babylon Five, in the final war was such that they could see and to some extent control the Shadows. Of course, it was based on psionic ability, but we have no psionics in Stars!

Psionics ehh,
Hmmm ... I must have missed that part of the show

Quote:

If the Shadows were utimately untraceable there would be no question about who would be the winner of this simulation.

Even 98% cloaked vessels are traceable, especially if you have NAS. It's just a matter of placing chaff or basic scout type ships at each planet to ensure that they can't easily hide from you.
Being IS, the Vorlons could also advise their lesser race allies of Shadow movements, so ultimately SS won't have such an immense advantage.

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