Wormholes and exploration.

Wormhole connections

If this has been answered before, I am terribly sorry.

Here is my problem:

I''ve been using Galaxy Forge to recreate the Babylon 5 universe using the Galaxy map provided in the 2nd Edition Babylon 5 book. I've created a 1 Star system (no need for jumping between stars really) and about 197 planets (201 entities in total) around the star. Each jump is according to 'known' Hyperspace links between sectors of the B5 universe. In the book there are several 'restricted' jump points between sectors, and I thought it would be nice to link these sectors as usual, but turn them into Wormhole nodes, so you need to research the needed tech before you can travel to the sector.

In theory everything is a-ok. One planet is behind 3 (!) wormhole lanes, without any phaselanes connecting to it. For the B5 fans: it's Z'ha'dum. One start location for the 10 players is at Z'ha'dum, so that player is required to research wormhole tech as soon as possible. The planet has enough slots and they player who starts at that location gets more than average money/metal/crystal to be able to build stations and do the needed research.

Now the problem is this: I've done the research, but I don't see to be able to go anywhere. Is it required that I first discover the other end of the supposed wormhole? Or is a wormhole connection between two planetary bodies simply not possible? I recall something about wormholes being a one way trip when planets are involved, if so: how do I know which planet is the starting point and which the end?
As stated before, the starting planet is behind 3 wormhole lanes, does that work at all?
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Reply #1 Top

Or is a wormhole connection between two planetary bodies simply not possible?
End of quote

It can't work, because the wormhole travel takes place when ships get to the very center of the gravity well. In the case of planets, the planet occupies that spot so it's impossible to access.

With normal wormholes, all you should need to do is have the tech, and move your ships to the center of the wormhole, and they'll pop out the other side.

Reply #2 Top
Hmm... I will have to alter some plans, I might start adding those wormholes now. Thanks for the rerply.
Reply #4 Top
As soon as I find a place to upload (suggestions anyone) or the file has been approved on the official SoaSE site, then yes: it will be released.

The map is finally done, I've added wormhole connections as the intended 'restricted jumpnodes'. The map has been expanded beyond the B5 Galaxy map provided by mongoose publishing, and now include 'hidden' Vorlon and Shadow worlds detailed in the Vorlon and Shadow factbook (also by mongoose publishing), which means they are connected to the known Vorlon and Shadow worlds. I've also added some worlds which are on the rim, which require some additional exploration before you can get to them.
Our home system has been expanded, instead of the Sol system you get Earth, Luna, Mars, Jupiter, Ganymede and Io. Each of those areas played a role in the B5 universe we know and love. Io is the connection to the rest of the B5 Galaxy, as the series counterpart was known as the Io Transfer Point, a major stop on the way out of our solar system.

If you want the file, I'll need a place to host it. You can post suggestions for hosting sites here.
Keep in mind that this is my first project, any mistakes might still need correcting. If you find a mistake, like missing jumproutes which are there in the Mongoose RPG, please let me know.

//Edit\\ Z'ha'dum players are still walled behind several wormholes, with only 1 planet directly connecting to it, I'll see how much cash is needed for Wormhole research for each race and I'll give the correct amount for that player from the get go. Otherwise you'll be stuck for ages with just 2 planets. I know the Shadows in the series built their strength up slowly, but not everything has to be like in the series.

And before anyone asks: no, I will not create convenient jumproutes OR remove some just to make it easy on you, these routes are as intended, deal with it if you are between a rock and a hard place.

//Final edit\\
For the extra Vorlon, Shadow and Rim worlds I tried to be as close to the source material as I could be, but some descriptions of the planets never mentioned which planets are connected, so I had to take an educated guess.
Also: I found out two planets are not named on the source map, I gave them names which have something to do with, well... me.
Also, if you are lucky enough to own earth -or conquer it- you can explore to two extra solar systems. They are nothing special, basically two stars with nothing around them. The names of the systems are just a tribute to Richard Biggs and Andreas Katsulas, who went beyond the rim before their time.
Reply #5 Top
Babylon 5 Galaxy map

The final version of the single starting planet edition of the Babylon 5 Galaxy map is ready for download.

Just click on the following link and download the Babylon 5 (Single Planet.zip file. Simply unpack the file to your Galaxy folder and start a game in SoaSe. Enjoy!

Final notes are enclosed in the readme file.

Babylon 5 (Single Planet).zip
Reply #6 Top
Cool, gonna be trying this out when I get home. One other question, Will this map work with the Out-of-the-box version of the game or are there any other mod dependencies (e.g. DanMan's 7DS, Bailknights's, Sins Plus?)
Reply #7 Top
The out of the box version will do just fine.

Also, I updated the map, the old download is no longer available. Check the readme files for updates.

Babylon 5 Galaxy map v.1.1
Reply #8 Top
Added support for the Sins 1.1 Beta, download the following file and extract to your galaxy folder.
Babylon 5 map version 1.2 <-- Note that there are three seperate files: Readme.txt, Babylon 5 map for regular Sins and a Babylon 5 map for Beta 1.1 Sins.