Shadow War Question

RW7427 · July 9th 04, 01:52

I was watching Ship of Tears and Interludes and Examinations tonight, and I had this question...

When the Shadows first started attacking the League worlds openly, it was the Brakiri that they attacked first. Why was that? Why the Brakiri? I wondered if there was any significance to that or if it was random. Acocording to this starmap: B5 Star Map Brakiri space is nowhere near Z'Ha'dum? Why would they go all the over to the other side of known space to attack the Brakiri?

Anyone have any thoughts?

Strifeguard · July 9th 04, 02:13

I'd have 2 things to say:

First, remember that the Shadow's original attack plan specifically centered around driving a group of refugees towards a central region, so they could be wiped out all at once. As such, they frequently jumped back-and-forth across the galaxy without hitting targets between their attack sites. Hitting the Brakiri first was probably just the initial step in this attack plan, so the distance from Za'Ha'Dum doesn't even figure into it.

The second thing I'd just like to point out is that I don't know how "accurate" that starmap is supposed to be. It may be officially sanctioned, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. For example, we know from (the episode escapes me at the moment, I will try to look it up later) a meeting between Morden and Londo that the Centauri Republic is located in a spiral arm. (The two "divide the galaxy" and the Centauri are "granted" an entire spiral arm, it seems silly if the Centauri Republic wasn't contained in that arm to begin with) However, the starmap you've linked to doesn't contain spiral-arms. As such, I wonder if its actually representative of the B5 galaxy as JMS imagined it, or if its just thrown-together for convience and RP purposes.

Woundweaver · July 9th 04, 05:41

The star map seems to not take into acount that there is actually 3 dimensions, the space of a milimeter on the map might actually be a lot bigger due to the extra distance of ups and downs, the only way to fully map space would be for a 3D model.

And yes, the Shadow's stratergy would explain why the Brakiri, other than that, probably because they are one of the less military strong races in the League(in comparison to say, the Drazi.) so they were easier to kill...

Nick

RW7427 · July 9th 04, 12:16

Ah, good points! Thanks!

GeoKuutio · July 11th 04, 10:50

Hmm... I have a B5 Galaxy map which... well. Does not correspond that map entirely. It's a lot bigger and has a lot of more details. Well, all in all, it's much better. I think. But... Z'ha'dum is down there? Mmm.. Err.. Wasn't Z'ha'dum pretty near Narn regime's area? Or not close... But I mean... to me, that location of Z'ha'dum is pretty far fetched.

I've uploaded the B5 map which I used in my references. It's made by Shawn Weixelman. And in my opinion it is a lot better than... well.. that "original" one. The "New B5 Galaxy 2258" as it is called... Well, click here.

RW7427 · July 11th 04, 13:38

Oooh, that's cool!

rangerPHIL · July 11th 04, 14:47

the map is really good

KoshFan · July 12th 04, 00:48

Very pretty, but I do wonder about his sources. Has he sat down and worked from first principles (i.e. the episodes themselves) or did he just make it all up?

Also Z'ha'dum isn't on the map, not even as Alpha Omega 3.

Kosomot · July 12th 04, 01:34

I am not sure about the second map but the first map linked to in this thread is an official map and the creators (Mongoose) had access to alot of background material from WB/JMS as I understand it.

Their B5 source material is also reputed to be very accurate and thorough although I have not perused it personally.

Elric · July 12th 04, 11:04

One other fact with the Mongoose material is that everything they do has to be approved by Warner and by JMS himself, so it is reasonably safe to assume that it is pretty accurate