Centauri (Babylon 5)

Revision as of 07:51, 8 April 2014

The Centauri are an alien species that feature in Babylon 5.

History

In the distant past, a Centauri once consulted three Technomages and managed to gain their blessing. This act allowed him to take the throne as emperor of the Centauri Republic and secured the Technomages as powerful figures in their society. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)

Their empire began to face continued skirmishes with the Narn's over Quadrant 37. (Episode: Chrysalis) This led to them quietly set up monitoring stations to keep an eye on Quadrant 37 to keep an eye on the Narn build-up. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)

In the span of six months, the Centauri Republic were able to push back the Narn further than they had been in the last thirty years. Their campaign had a slow cautious one but had been leading to constant defeats of the Narn Regime who were attempting to hide the truth of their losses. Centauri forces managed to intercept a coded transmission from the Narn Strategic Command to one of their flagships revealing their plan to attack the Republic supply post at Gorash 7. They came to believe the validity of this transmission with Lord Refa convincing his generals to send their forces for a direct strike at the Narn Homeworld itself. He convinced Ambassador Mollari to dispatch his 'allies' to intercept the Narn fleet at Gorash 7 with the secret support of the Shadows wiping out the armada. Their destruction left only a skeleton defense force on the Narn Homeworld that was overwhelemed whereupon the Centauri bombarded the planetary surface with mass drivers despite such weapons being outlawed in treaties. The broken Narn thus became easy prey to the occupying Centauri Republic who dismantled the Narn Regime's government. Afterwards, the Narn Homeworld became a protectorate of the Centauri Republic where they instituted conditions as part of the Narn Regime's surrender. Statements by the Centauri later claimed that they had no further plans for expansion for the conclusion of their war with the Narn. (Episode: The Long, Twilight Struggle)

Overview

Males had six genitalia with each representing a different level of intimacy as the first was considered mild and by the sixth being more intense levels of passion. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)

They were stated to be a prideful people who did not ask for help. (Episode: Rumors, Bargain and Lies) Every generation of Centauri were believed to yearn for the old golden age when their peoples power could be matched by their gods. Though some enjoyed the glory of their past, others believed in honor and peace who were horrified by the slaughter as well as deceit made by their empire in the past. (Episode: Knives) It was claimed that they were always on duty either to the Republic, their houses or each other to the point that they made joy itself another duty. (Episode: Matters of Honor)

Traditionally, individuals of higher posts would have long hair crests. Those who were emperor had long crests with short hair crests being considered not traditional. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf)

Among the nobility, it was common to arrange marriages though some radicals married for love. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir) Status and respect were largely determined by family history. (Movie: The Gathering)

Opera and music had a important along with entertaining aspect of their culture. Noted composers included Trantaro who sang the Mi Gri Vitaro and Dorva who was a musical giant who wrote the Travali Stocata which was considered the most brilliant as well as soul stirring pieces of music ever written. (Episode: Knives)

A dueling society known as the Couro Prido known as Proud Knives that was present within Centauri culture with skilled swordsmen taking part in it. It was common for duelists to be given a fighting name by their comrades with these coming from the way they fought during the sword fights. Such fights were fought with Coutair that were blades used by them. The Morago was a fight to the death fought under the laws of the Couro Prido. Refusal of the challenge would bring about the disgrace to the person's house. These duels were officiated and witnessed by numerous Centauri in order to see the battle be fought with honor. (Episode: Knives)

The old books of the Centaui spoke of the ancients gods and their power that was beyond description. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf) Centauri belief system consisted of a pantheon of gods and goddesses with even their emperors being elevated to godhood. In total, it was believed that there were around fifty different deities in their religion. (Episode: Chrysalis) The first emperors who were the greatest of the Centauri were themselves proclaimed deities by the ancient gods who afforded them immortality in exchange for their loyalty. These god-like emperors were revered for generation's and prayers were offered by supplicant's at the temples. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf)

Their religion had a pantheon of deities that included:

• Li : the goddess of passion that contained both male and female attributes. (Episode: The Quality of Mercy)
• Zoog : a deity within the pantheon. (Episode: Chrysalis)

The Technomages held an important place within their society for their actions in the past. Seeing more than one of this order of beings was considered a bad omen. However, it was considered a powerful sign of prestige if one was blessed by one of their order with this image being a strong one to those who believed in the old ways. Thus, those given such blessings gained considerably influence and political power in Centauri politics. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)

Centauri telepaths were one of a number of alien races that did not have strict rules over the use of their abilities when compared to the Human Psi Corps. (Episode: Passing through Gethsemane)

Some among the Centauri looked down on the Narns who they saw as being genetically inferior and were considered lazy. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)

Brivari was a drink that enjoyed by the Centauri whilst Japoti was a snack. (Episode: Knives)

Members

• Londo Mollari :
• Lord Kiro : a male noble who as a child was told by his Ladira that he would be killed by shadows and as an adult saw to retrieve the Eye but hired Raiders in order to use it to ascend to become emperor. His vessel was ultimately killed by the Shadows when they sought to promote Londo Mollari to power. (Episode: Signs and Portents)
• Lady Ladira : prophetess and seer of House Kiro who accompanied her nephew Lord Kiro to Babylon 5 where she glimpsed a vision that saw the place would be engulfed by fire. (Episode: Signs and Portents)
• Lord Refa : a male noble who allied with Ambassador Londo Mollari in order to replace the old emperor and bring about an ascendant more war-like Centauri Republic. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)
• Vir Cotto :
• Urza Jaddo : a male head of House Jaddo who held the position of Vocator and considered the hero of the Battle of Gorash. He was an old friend of Londo Mollari with Urza becoming one of the finest swordsman in the Couro Prido where he was given the nickname Skal Tura or Silent Beast. He was declared a traitor to the Republic by Lord Refa's faction and died in a dueling match with Mollari in order to save House Jaddo who were absorbed into House Mollari. (Episode: Knives)
• Trego : a male Lord who informed Ambassador Mollari that Lady Morella was going to visit Babylon 5. (Episode: Point of No Return)
• Morella : a female Lady who was the third wife of Emperor Turhan and was a prophetess who told Londo Mollari and Vir Cotto that both would become emperor in the future. (Episode: Point of No Return)
• Lyndisty : a female Centauri noble who was the daughter of Lady Drusella who was arranged to be betrothed to Vir Cotto but he rejected her after he learnt of her cruel nature to the Narns. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)
• Virini : a male minister who was highly placed in the Centauri Royal Court of Emperor Cartagia. (Episode: And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place)
• Drigo : a male Centauri who oversaw the building of a replica of the Centauri Palace on the Narn Homeworld under orders from Minister Virini for Emperor Cartagia. (Episode: And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place)
• Rintinzi : one of the best 'pain technician' or torturer serving Emperor Cartagia and tasked with the torture of Citizen G'Kar. (Episode: The Summoning)
• Dugarri : a male minister that Cartagia killed and placed his head as part of his 'shadow cabinet' of advisers. (Episode: Falling Towards Apotheosis)

Appearances

• Babylon 5: "Signs and Portents"
• Babylon 5: "Knives"

External Links

• Babylon 5 Wiki Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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