First Ones
The First Ones were several ancient and powerful alien races, including the Vorlons and the Shadows, many of which took it upon themselves to guide the younger races. After many years operating behind the scenes or waiting in hiding, nearly all the First Ones passed beyond the galactic rim following the final battles between the Vorlons and Shadows in the 23rd century.
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History
The First Ones were a number of ancient and powerful alien races that once inhabited the universe. They were noted for being billions of years old that were vast and timeless entities that walked the cosmos long ago. During their rise, they forged great empires, explored the universe and taught the younger races of their time. Among the oldest of their number was a race of beings known as the Shadows who battled with the other First Ones for millions of years. Slowly, over those millions of years, the First Ones decided to pass beyond the stars where they never returned and others disappeared. Around 10,000 years ago, the ancient races of the First Ones last walked the cosmos openly in their battle with the Shadows. They managed to defeat their ancient enemy but the Shadows were not destroyed but went into slumber. Around 1,000 years ago, the Shadows would return to their places of power and stretch out their hand where they mobilized their forces quickly. However, an alliance of worlds that included the Minbari allied together with the few remaining ancients in order to strike at them. Afterwards, the remaining First Ones went away though only one remained behind to serve as guardians to the younger races. This was the Vorlons who watched and waited for the return of the Shadows though they could not operate openly in fear of being recognized by the younger races. (Episode: In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum)
In the mid-23rd century, the Shadows were awakened from their slumber on Z'ha'dum by the Earth ship Icarus whereupon they prepared for the next war. Remembering their lesson from the last war, the Shadows decided to gather their forces slowly and secretly manipulated events in known space. This saw the Vorlons operate with the Minbari Federation in preparation to assemble forces against them with this coming into effect by 2259. (Episode: In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum)
Background
Agents of Gaming identified the following as races:
Mongoose Publishing created an RPG set in Babylon 5 mentioned the following as First Ones:
Appearances
- Babylon 5: "In the Shadow of Z'ha'dum"
