This section naturally is all ways changing due to new stories or new information posted as available.
II. In the Gardens of the Past FAQ
1. Is the date on the stories the date posted or the date written? The date is the day the story (or chapter was written) Redited dates are the date the story was re-edited for corrections, errors, or other changes to the format.
2. Are these stories beta read? Yes, the stories are beta read, but errors still crop up from time to time. Thanks to Sabbath and Ron (my usual offline beta readers) for their help.
3. How do you write these stories? When I first started these stories I simply write straight throught, never looking back at previous chapters to see what I had written. To be honest, I'm surprised I kept the story line continuity so well in all of them. I still prefer to write that way, but lately I've been going back over them to fill in sections (or in a few cases, remove sections) for clarity (and reader sesinbilities) before posting them onto the page.
4. Are the alien languages used created by you? When available, I use any terms and languages from the show, books, and other related indicia. When necessary I make something up.
1. Why write this story? Why not? I'm surprised at the number of e-mails I get with this question. No, I don't consider myself any where near the writing ability of JMS, or Kathrynn Drennan but I do like the character of Sinclair/Valen. I'm just a hack compared to them, but I'm a happy little fanfiction hack. If I feel like writing something, I write it.
2. What linear calendar are you using to determine ages and dates? All terran based dates are listed in { } for general reference of the reader. All ages listed are in Minbari cycles. 1 Minbari Cycle= 1.3 Terran years. A lunar cycle refers to a Minbari Lunar cycle for their two moons.
3. Who are all these characters. places. ships, terms, etc? I get lots of questions on this so the following is a general list of characters, names, ships and etc. for In the Gardens of the Past. WARNING: Do not read if you fear spoilers for a fan fiction story (HAHAHAHA!!! Yeah Right!)
Names Position Gender Race Affiliation Valen Entil'Zha, Anla'shok Na M Human-Minbari Hybrid Minbar/Anla'shok Zathras Aide M Unknown race Valen Capenni Worker Caste Aide M Minbari WS Cathrenn Anla'shok F See Catherine Sakai Valen Emphilio Warrior Aide. Anla'shok F Minbari WS Denavol Shai Alyt M Minbari WS, Mate of Emphilio, Killed fighting Shadows Larion Alyt F Minbari WS, Emphilio's mother, Hero of the Yolu Border Wars, Killed at Lenn'sa Colony. Emphann Religious Caste scholar M Minbari WS, Emphilio's father, Killed at Lenn'sa Colony. Rishio None M Minbari WS, Emphilio's Brother, killed at Lenn'sa Colony. Emphilia Anla'shok F Minbari Child of Valen Ilirenn High Priestess/Satai (Rel) F Minbari MS (2nd Fane of Kar'Domo) Minoi Entil'chan of Station M Minbari none/Anla'shok Jaysenn Anla'shok M Minbari Child of Valen Mikell Religious Caste M Minbari Child of Valen Shaal Shanara Worker Caste F Minbari Child of Valen Shaal Erkino Religious Caste F Minbari Popular Teh'la Performer Tamen Warrior Caste M Minbari Child of Valen Gekiri Warrior M Minbari WS Toliri Priest/Satai (Rel) M Minbari FW (3rd Hech of Trebak) Askala Priestess/Satai (Rel) F Minbari SR (F'hursna Sech of Shakalla) Sherann Shai Alyt/Elder/Satai (War) M Minbari WS Trefall Shai Alyt/Satai (War) M Minbari SR Kersihio Shai Alyt/Elder (War) M Minbari MS Teshana Elder/Satai (Work) F Minbari FW (4th Sech of Sedor) Shaal Duvinier Shaal Sech/Elder/Satai (Work) M Minbari MS Velorian Elder/Satai (Work) F Minbari NW Hetarr Shai Alyt M Minbari FW/CO Spear of Light Roin Mershann Alyt/later Shai Alyt F Minbari FW/ XO Spear of Light Roin Kerilar Shai Alyt F Minbari SR/Cmdr of Hestanna (Valen's first flagship) Pehan Shai Alyt M Minbari NW/Warrior Caste Kesarr Shai Alyt M Minbari FW/Warrior Caste Takar Novitiate/Rel Aide F Minbari MS/Religious Caste Tevenn Coordinator/Ship Captain M Minbari Cmdr of Ok'Shella Kellior Alyt M Minbari SR Vethall Alyt/Station Commander M Minbari SR/Anla'shok Yedrah Minatainence F Minbari SR/Worker Uloria Maintenence M Minbari SR/Worker Kosh Naranek Ambassador? N/A Vorlon Vorlon Empire/Valen Ulkesh Naranek ? N/A Vorlon Vorlon Empire Arkesh Naranek ? N/A Vorlon Vorlon Empire Catherine Sakai Anla'shok F Human Valen, Anla'shok T'kina (True name unknown)Representative N/A Sigma 957 First Ones Unknown Tu'Lar Ikarran Scientist M Ikarran Ikarra 7 Tu'Reg Ikarran Ambassador F Ikarran Ikarra 7 Ry'shen Ikarran General M Ikarran Ikarra 7 Zelrom Ambassador M Markab Markab Y'rol Ambassador F Yaroth Yaroth Ilurn Anla'shok M Minbari Anla'shok Inturo F'hursna Sech F Minbari Minbar Tuvor Station Security M Minbari NW, Minbar Krena Station Security F Minbari FW, Minbar Renimo Alyt M Minbari MS, Anla'shok, Station Fighter Wings Commander Veleth Master Healer, Religious Caste F Minbari MS, Station Chief MO Delo Warrior Caste/Anla'shok M Minbari WS (later Anla'shok) Lethan Warrior Caste F Minbari SR (supports Anla'shok) Geronin Warrior Caste M Minbari SR (supports Anla'shok) Kebbel Worker M Minbari WS (supports Anla'shok) Betra Elder, Warrior Caste F Minbari FW Sleyr Elder, Warrior Caste M Minbari FW Tergul Shai Alyt M Minbari NW, Killed leading attack against Shadows. Kadrel Religious Caste Elder M Minbari SR Mellel Warrior Caste Elder M Minbari SR WS= Wind Sword MS=Moon Shield SR=Star Rider FW=FireWing NW=Night Walkers Terms/Places/Races Meanings T'ki The Walkers of Sigma 957, name Valen uses to refer to them. Originally coined by Cathrenn Drakh A low level servant race of Shadows Yaroth Young space faring race that joins in the war against the Shadows when starsystem invaded Ve'shre Middle level servant race of Shadows. Tuzanor Closest city to Anla'shok Facility Sha'tha Ancient Minbari term for Shadow Warrior (i.e. a bandit, theif, or murderer) Age of Fire, Time of Fire Minbari euphemism for pre-jumpgate era of bloodshed on Minbar marked by numerous bloody wars, massacres, and a lot of mysticism and superstitious beliefs. K'ran Shadow race Valen targets for extermination due to their extreme brutality. Vindrizi Living recorder symbiants. Hestanna Old Minbari Cruiser, Valen's first flagship in the war Ok'shella Minbari Warcruiser Gardens of Infinite Peace A garden located at Tuzanor, Minbar. Dedicated in memory of the Great War. Pelara Gok Lit. Spirit Cat. Sherann's personal War Cruiser Ren'kath Legendary leader from the Age of Fire, born of Warrior and Religious caste parent. Formed the most powerful military alliance the Minbari had known. Created what became the Minbari Federation. His murder at the hands of his Clan brothers retarted the Clan Wars. Unity Base Another name for the destroyed base first used to coordinate the Minbari effort before Valen's arrival. Most of the original Clan leaders were killed during the Shadow attack here. Sihal'za Sanctuary Ancient sanctuary from the Age of Fire, now a temple. Located in Drokhor Province on Minbar. Isildrah'tha Lit. Future's Light. Name given to Babylon 4 by unnamed members of the Worker caste. Temple of Virin Location of the Starfire Wheel. Old temple used to mediate disputes amongst the Clans.
Timeline For those who asked for a basic timeline of events, well I guess I can whip something up when time permits.