A delight for fans of the TV show and very useful for those who want their game's timeline to match that of the show, the core of this book is an episode guide of the third serioes of Babylon 5 (the year 2260), complete with notes on key figures and a whole lot more.

For at least two years, Babylon 5 personnel have tried to keep the peace, but it's not been easy or even very successful. Narn and Centauri have been at each other's throats, the minor worlds all bicker, the political scene back on Earth is fraught... and things are not going to get better. It may be that you want to use some or all of the incidents that took place during the year in your game, perhaps your party got caught up in them - and maybe even changes them - or maybe this is something muttering along in the background, mostly noticed if someone watches a newscast. It's all a magnificent backdrop than can play as major a part in your game as you want it to be.

First up, though, is the chapter Personalities of 2260. Famous figures the party has heard about, colleagues, friends, employers, allies, adversaries: everything you need to know to use them as you please is here. Each personality gets a stat block and a photo, plus descriptive text that explains what is going on in their life at this point in time. All the usual suspects are here: Sheridin, Ivanova, Garibaldi, Franklin, G'Kar, Lyta Alexander, Delenn, Kosh, Londo Milari, Vir, Lennier, Bester, and Mr Morden... and more.

Next comes a chapter on The Galaxy of 2260, which fills the lion's share of the book: this is the full episode guide. Even if you're not a role-player, if you like the TV show there is plenty for you here, some of the most comprehensive episode guides I've seen. As well as a detailed account of what happened in each episode, there are character notes for notable individuals not featured in the previous chapter, details of any new tech encountered, and a selection of ideas for extending this episode into your game, things that spring from events therein to spawn new adventures or even a whole campaign.

Finally, there are sections devoted to Rules Additions and Equipment and Vehicles. The new rules include new prestige classes and a detailed account of the punishment known as the Death of Personality including all the rules necessary to make it happen in your game. Like the Equipment and Vehicles which follow, these new rules all link back to things that have arisen from the episode guides. If something hitherto not given any rules shows up, you can find them here if you need them.

There's a wealth of detail here, enlightening even those who know the TV show well. If you want your campaign to adhere closely to the actual Babylon 5 plot, it's essential.

Return to The Point of No Return page.

Reviewed: 13 December 2019