18 19 Nothing But Trouble? Incorporating Babylon Five Lizard Characters into Your Campaign Having tackled Susan Ivanova last time, Lizard turns his attention to that loveable rogue, Londo Mollari. Come up against this guy and you will have to be at the top of your game to walk away with your pants… Ambassador Londo Mollari While Babylon 5 has no true central character about whom everything revolves, it is the opinion of this author that, if such a character exists, it is not Sheridan or Delenn, but Londo Mollari. Whether he is seen as a fool manipulated by others, a villain, or a tragic hero (or all three), he is at the centre of many of the major elements of the Babylon 5 saga. his guard down, is a sad, haunted man, Londo as an Ally As such, it is unthinkable that player laughing maniacally so no one can characters would not encounter him in hear his sobs. Over the course of the Unless the player characters are some fashion, either as an ally or an series, he ultimately gets everything he all staunch, upright, loyal and obstacle. ever wants but, as the song goes, never incorruptible EarthForce-types, or a what he needs. Those he truly cares band of radical Narn freedom fighters, From a Games Master’s perspective, for die or turn from him. To make the odds are good that Londo will have including Londo is desirable a number of missions he might wish a because, let’s face it – he is fun. typical player character to accomplish. A Games Master who enjoys ‘Now, I go to spread happiness He always wants something – slightly theatrics can do little better than to the rest of the station. It’s a illegal wine, a little bit of information, Londo. He is a grand, extreme a message delivered discreetly, some character, given to great bouts terrible responsibility but I have money – and he is often willing, even of emotion. He does nothing by eager, to use others to get it, especially halves and it is easy to allow his learned to live with it.’ if he can be sure he will dodge the rap boisterous outer nature to express if they are caught. itself, even if he is only ‘on stage’ in a game session for a few If the player characters prove reliable, minutes, buying drinks at a bar or Londo work in a game, that dark inner they may find that Londo trusts them seeking funding at the casino. core must always be kept in mind. with greater responsibility. This can Londo acts the part of the clown, lead them directly into the heart of the Note that I said ‘outer nature’. but it is, indeed, only an act, and the Babylon 5 story arc and place them The real Londo, glimpsed only harshest part is, he knows it. in very dangerous straits. He may occasionally in the series, when he lets ask them to convey some bad news to 18 19 Emperor Cartagia, or to serve as his Lastly, Londo is not above using those if the same people seem to constantly guards on a mission to the battered loyal to him in underhanded ways. be in his way. Narn homeworld, or to arrange things Nothing But Trouble? with Mr. Morden. If the players Of course, Londo has other enemies. can avoid using their metagame ‘Damn. You see, it’s your fault. Centauri politics are a miasma of knowledge, it is possible for Londo You’re bad luck. I’ve always shifting alliances and treachery, to place them in positions where their said that about him. Now, come and Centauri player characters may actions directly further some of the on, come on. Look, you’re a have family loyalties that place them most tragic acts of the story arc, such security chief. Shouldn’t you against the House of Mollari, even as the bombardment of Narn or the if they otherwise support the reborn near-destruction of the Alliance during be out securing something?’ Centauri Empire. If a player character its formative years. is clever, he can easily end up playing both sides, working for Londo overtly Of course, the friend of my enemy He arranged for Vir – one of the few while sabotaging him – or simply is my enemy. Growing too chummy beings he seems to harbour genuine, selling information – covertly. This with Londo carries risks – Narn deep affection for – to be kidnapped, is, of course, risky, because even if characters in a group may not tolerate beaten and mind-probed, just to set up Londo can sometimes be blinded by their associates acting closely with the a rival for a nasty fall. Imagine how his ego, underestimating an underling Centauri ambassador, especially as he might choose to exploit those he (see: Vir), he has powerful friends who relations move from simmering hatred sees as mere hirelings or mercenaries. are much more observant and who to outright war. As events proceed can arrange for a traitor in their midst and Londo increasingly becomes an Londo as an to take a stroll from an unattended outsider opposed to the actions of the airlock, with Londo never suspecting command staff, those characters will Opponent foul play. view his known allies and employees There are many ways the player with deep suspicion. Furthermore, Narn player characters, unless characters and Londo can end up Centauri politics are brutal and extremely unusual, will have little love on opposite sides. Anyone working bloody; if any player characters are for the Centauri ambassador. They against the Shadows will ultimately seen as vital cogs in Londo’s machine, may take it on themselves to appoint find himself working against Londo. a drop of poison or a well-placed knife themselves his nemesis, though, again, A problem here, of course, is that can be used to take them out. this has to be done with caution. the forces organised by Delenn and Early in the story arc, open attacks on Sheridan sought to work secretly In addition, while the breadth of Centauri do not serve the objectives of for as long as possible, so the player Londo’s support is great, the depth the Narn Regime, which does not wish characters must oppose Londo is nanometer thin. With the possible open war; later in the story, the brutal without obvious, direct confrontation, exception of Vir, Londo has never occupation of the Narn homeworld foiling him without making it seem show any tendency to take great risks means that any Narn risks the death as if there is any higher power behind for anybody. If the player characters of his family and more if he harms their actions. While Londo is not as find themselves in a bad situation a Centauri. Furthermore, the death paranoid as, say, Garibaldi, he is no due to their support of him, he will or injury of anyone powerful does fool (despite occasionally acting like spend his efforts to disguise his ties not go unnoticed; at the very least, one), and will quickly grow suspicious rather than to help them, if there is any EarthForce Security, combined with personal risk (physical, financial, or social) to him. Only if they are certain to take him with them if they fall will he use his influence and abilities on their behalf, and he will almost certainly consider them heavily in his debt. ‘Did I ever tell you [Delenn] that you are very cute for a Minbari? Even you [Garibaldi] are cute, in an annoying sort of way. Everybody’s cute! Everybody’s cute! Even me. But in purple.. I’m stunning!’ [collapses] 20 21 any number of special Centauri units combatant, but he is overconfident, him much more a classic villain (including telepaths not bound by Psi and often allows his vices to place and less of a tragic anti-hero. This Corps diktats) would comb the station him in risky situations. (Consider his works well if the player characters for the perpetrator. rather unusual method for cheating at are already working against Londo, poker, and what might have occurred though exceptionally cynical player ‘Commander, please. On the had Lennier not been there.) Should a characters might find a boss with issue of galactic peace, I’m combat situation arise around Londo, even less conscience than Londo to be long past innocence and fast here are a few tricks to keep him alive: acceptable. approaching apathy. It’s all 1. Run. Londo will not stand and There is also Vir. Although he will a game -- a paper fantasy of fight. He will flee, and it is be discussed in a future column, names and borders. Only one quite possible that EarthForce moving Vir into Londo’s position in thing matters, Commander. security, some friendly Centauri, the arc can be done. While Morden Blood calls out for blood.’ or just a large crowd of unwanted controlled Londo in part by appealing eyewitnesses around the next to his vices, Vir can be seduced by corner could save his neck. appealing to his virtues. Think of all Londo has a number of weaknesses the harm he could prevent if he just player characters can exploit – he 2. Rescue. While Londo often did this one little thing...think of how is vain, pompous, prone to drinking ignores the advice of those much better off everyone would be if and gambling, inclined to act on a who care for him, they still he simply played along, just a little... moment’s emotion without deep persist. If he knows Londo is introspection, and unwilling to accept heading into trouble, Vir might While many of the bad things Londo responsibility for his actions.