Produktbeschreibung
As 2261 dawns the galaxy seems to have paused for a moment. Hushed conversations in the halls of power seek understanding of the new situation. The great leader of the light fell into darkness at Z'ha'dum. The great enemy, injured badly by his final act of courage, has withdrawn to their places of power. In the silence the minor powers begin to retreat as well. Meanwhile a malignancy grows in the heart of the Centauri Republic; cutting it out will lead to the freedom of Narn and the eventual destruction of the Centauri People. But worse is to come; somewhere out in the uncharted reaches of hyperspace former allies gather for what will be the greatest battle of the age.
In 2260 the war of words became a shooting war. The grand ideals of the Alliance, not to mention their need to operation independently from Earth, were put to the test of flame and death. They survived, bloody and beaten, upheld by the voices and presence of the great leaders who proved that they would sacrifice everything to preserve life.
The coming year will test their resolve even further. Legends will walk among them, both from elder days long forgotten and newborn, forged in the fires of the present day. Along the way legends and common men will pay terrible prices. Friends will fall. Hope will be betrayed, only to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
In the year 2261, everything changed.
No Surrender, No Retreat describes the events of 2261 as they appear in Season 4 of Babylon 5. It explores in detail the personalities, events, and technology that shape the next million years of civilized evolution. Used in conjunction with the other season books and the core Babylon 5 RPG, No Surrender, No Retreat allows the Games Master to extend his games beyond 2259. Characters can participate in the grand sweep of the Great War, assist the Mars colonists in their bid for independence, or stand firm against the alien influenced Sheridan and his mad war of conquest.
This book begins with a discussion of the main characters of Babylon 5, including some old friends from Sheridan's days as an Earth Force captain. These characters place an indelible mark on the age to come simply by being the right people, at the right place, at the right time. The major characters from the proceeding seasons also receive a new treatment, reflecting their personal growth over the last year.
The main bulk of the book consists of an episode-by-episode recording of the season's events, along with analysis and pertinent information about new technologies and trends revealed. Each episode description concludes with campaign hooks for characters engaged in various common games. Everyone in the galaxy, from common merchants to bounty hunters and heads of state will have to relearn what it means to be alive in a world they can forge for themselves. The section finishes with a potential timeline of events, allowing Games Masters and players to see what is going on in the galaxy at a given time. Some episodes lack textual clues to set them in time; others have specific dates mentioned, or events that can be dated given the in-show information.
The last three chapters of the book contain specific rules information for the Babylon 5 RPG, including new equipment, prestige classes and some new ships (including the Warlock Class cruiser). These expand upon the information contained in the other season books. Information about the various Vorlon ships, as well as the host of other, smaller vessels, is reserved for the soon to be released Babylon 5 tabletop game.
Of all of the seasons, Season 4 is the most dramatically dense and emotionally affecting. Events stack up one upon the other, carrying the unwise along. The wise, people like Delenn, Sheridan, and Neroon, recognize these events not as the tide of destiny but rather are ripples of change. It is a time when a single man can alter the fate of the galaxy, where brave hearts and bold vision count for more than guns and steel. It is a time for legends to rise up and walk the galaxy once more. The crew of Babylon 5 may be the most obvious of those legends but they do not stand alone. Characters surviving the events of this season have the opportunity to write their names among the stars for all eternity. |
