[Solatar]

Looking through the Freespace Reference Bible, the original "vision" for the Freespace universe is made a bit more clear. Reading through the cut cutscenes makes it clear that the original vision would have been very "deep" with regards to human nature, etc.

The universe also seems to be a bit different than the nodemap we see on the Volition website. We're all familiar with the Talania debate, but what about other systems mentioned in the Reference Bible such as Rodine and Diones? Rodine is mentioned as being the point of an attack by the HOL, and the Diones is the site of a failed defense against the Lucifer.

The only explanation I can think of is that maybe these were Terran names for Vasudan star systems? That explanation doesn't hold up very far for the Rodine system however, as it seems to be populated by Terrans. Thoughts?

[NGTM-1R]

It makes more sense that those were Vasudan names for Terran systems (or simply Vasudan names for their own systems). Are they specifically described as "system"? It's quite possible they're planets or other celestial bodies, since few of those are named in FS.

[Goober5000]

There's also the "Ysusi System" hidden in sm3-05a.

[Solatar]

I find the "they're planetary systems" arguement unconvincing because if there are planetary systems AND star systems, why would there not be any way of distinguishing between them in spoken/written language? I would expect the "Rodine planetary system" or just plain old "Rodine" to suffice for a planetary system. In the main Freespace Campaign, they refer to Ribos IV (I think I've got the correct number) just as Ribos IV. If planets could be labeled as systems, wouldn't it make sense that Tombough would be located in the Ribos IV system, not the Ribos system?

Excerpt from FS Reference Bible, coming from a captain in a command brief cutscene:

When [the Lucifer] attacked the Vasudan outpost in the Diones system, they tried three different missile prototypes, with no luck whatsoever. (page 20)

Another excerpt referring to an HOL attack:

Early last night the Terran shipyard outside of the Rodine System was destroyed by unknown sources. (page 22)

Both of these excerpts use terminology that suggest they are, in fact, starsystems. I know one of the traditional explanations for the lack of Talania existing on FS1 era maps and beyond is that the jumps nodes to Talania destabilized and finally collapsed. This works for Talania, but in these cutscenes Rodine and Diones appear during the main Freespace campaign.

Also, it doesn't make sense that they were Vasudan names for anything, because Rodine appears in a Terran newscast and Diones appears in a Terran command briefing.

[FUBAR-BDHR]

Well I'm just now playing FS1 and the mission i just finished stated that Ribos connects to at least a dozen systems.  Now we know that many aren't shown on the maps so what and where are they?  Maybe just not listed because there not habitable or not tactically significant?

[Hellbender]

From a writer's point of view, keeping the options open to expand the story in future is a really good idea. For all we know, there was quite a bit more envisioned than was ever released with the game or in the references.

From a developer's point of view, shortcuts save time. Star maps are complicated. Plot holes can be filled later if needed. It's unlikely that time would be taken to make everything perfect. In FS1 there were more than one subspace connection to Sol. Later on this became inconvenient, so only Delta Serpentis became canon. Too much work to go back and rewrite the existing back story and fluff text, so it was never done.

A writer would be very apt to correct any problems, where a game production is quite a bit more involved, usually with lots of deadlines and limits set by various contracts. The game industry does not have a lot of luxury to make a lot of changes.

[IceFire]

Remember that the FS Bible was written before the game was finished.  Changes were inevitable (even the node map wasn't finished until after the game was largely complete which lead to several inconsistencies).

[Solatar]

The question I was really trying to raise was that of the accuracy of the nodemap. I know it was provided by but with the amount of canon info in both the reference Bible and the actual game is it really set in stone?

[karajorma]

The reference bible was simply 's first draft of the storyline. Anything in FS1 or FS2 is a later draft and overrides it. And the nodemap we actually see in FS2 is conforms to that of the released nodemap.

[ShadowGorrath]

What about N362 ? I've seen that in some node-maps , but haven't seen it in others . Is that system canon ?

P.S. If you want to know another "inconsistency" , look at the command briefing animation for the first mission against the Shivans in FS2 . It shows a huge Ravana warping out of the portal , while the first Ravana you see is in a later nebula mission .

[Jeff Vader]

If you want to know another "inconsistency" , look at the command briefing animation for the first mission against the Shivans in FS2 . It shows a huge Ravana warping out of the portal , while the first Ravana you see is in a later nebula mission .

You sure? I've always thought it looked just like a Rakshasa, which it was supposed to look like.

[Snail]

What about N362 ? I've seen that in some node-maps , but haven't seen it in others . Is that system canon ?

AFAIK that's non-canon and was only on BWO's nodemap...

If you want to know another "inconsistency" , look at the command briefing animation for the first mission against the Shivans in FS2 . It shows a huge Ravana warping out of the portal , while the first Ravana you see is in a later nebula mission .

What's to say the nose of it appeared, the probe was destroyed, and then the Ravana returned back into the portal?

[BlackDove]

These were the names of the Squad War nodes back in the day btw (official ones).



So, they had quite a bit on the mind for that too.

[ShadowGorrath]

If you want to know another "inconsistency" , look at the command briefing animation for the first mission against the Shivans in FS2 . It shows a huge Ravana warping out of the portal , while the first Ravana you see is in a later nebula mission .

You sure? I've always thought it looked just like a Rakshasa, which it was supposed to look like.

Definetly . It is a Ravana . You can see it's front 4 cannons , the red "pipe" thing , etc.

Simply look closer .

Also , in one mission ( I think that 'Into the Lions Den' , not sure though ) , someone says that "a Ravana class cruiser has jumped in" .

What about N362 ? I've seen that in some node-maps , but haven't seen it in others . Is that system canon ?

AFAIK that's non-canon and was only on BWO's nodemap...

If you want to know another "inconsistency" , look at the command briefing animation for the first mission against the Shivans in FS2 . It shows a huge Ravana warping out of the portal , while the first Ravana you see is in a later nebula mission .

What's to say the nose of it appeared, the probe was destroyed, and then the Ravana returned back into the portal?

That system was also in BluePlanet and on multiple other node-maps . I don't remember seeing it on the official ones from Volition sites , but I've seen them on every other nodemap .

And why would the Shivans do that ? They'd send the Ravana on a killing spree in Gamma Draconis , not send it into GTVA space and then back to the nebula . Besides , if the GTVA saw it in the video , why do they call the Ravana an "Unknown" ship in the nebula mission ?

[Snail]

That system was also in BluePlanet and on multiple other node-maps . I don't remember seeing it on the official ones from Volition sites , but I've seen them on every other nodemap .

Even if it appeared in every other mod in the entire universe I it still would not be considered canon.

And why would the Shivans do that ? They'd send the Ravana on a killing spree in Gamma Draconis , not send it into GTVA space and then back to the nebula .

Maybe the Ravana was just having a little peak before the other ships arrive.

Besides , if the GTVA saw it in the video , why do they call the Ravana an "Unknown" ship in the nebula mission ?

Maybe the GTVA saw only the part that we see in the video before the 300+ Shivan fighters behind it destroy it.

[Jeff Vader]

Definetly . It is a Ravana . You can see it's front 4 cannons , the red "pipe" thing , etc.

Simply look closer .

K, I'll do that.

Also , in one mission ( I think that 'Into the Lions Den' , not sure though ) , someone says that "a Ravana class cruiser has jumped in" .

But that's an old one. We've all noticed it. A tiny mistake on behalf of the guy responsible for the Snipes lines.

Edit: Ok, I checked it and I keep telling you, it's a Rakshasa. At least in my animation. Not sure what you've been doing on your end. I took some screens, if you want to see them.

[ShadowGorrath]

I made some screens too . And I am telling you that it's a RAVANA .

[attachment deleted by ninja]

[Jeff Vader]

If anything proves that I'm not always 'in da house', this is it. All the time I was thinking about the animation on the first stage of the command briefing. Not that one. Yes, that is a Ravana. Yes. Indeed. You win. I apologize for the inconvenience.

[ShadowGorrath]

[Homer-Voice] Wuhuuuu ! I win ! [/Homer-Voice]

But which one did you think of ?

[Jeff Vader]

The one where the Raks destroys the Vigilant.