Vanished ancient race of enormous power, responsible for creating the Vargr and seeding Humaniti across the stars
Highly intelligent race which gained prominence
approximately 300,000 years ago
Most of what is known about the Ancients has been gleaned
from archeological excavations of Ancient sites: the remains
of cities, bases, outposts, and settlements of the Ancients.
Scientific dating techniques have established that a “Final
War” spanning a 2000-year period destroyed virtually all of the
Ancients at that time
The influence of the Ancients is broadly felt in the universe
Humans from Terra were transported to many worlds by the
Ancients; their descendants became the Vilani and the
Zhodani, as well as the 46 known minor human races. The
Vargr have been shown (through genetic testing) to be descendants
of genetically manipulated Terran canines (apparently,
the canine stock was acquired at the same time the humans
were taken from Terra). Ancient artifacts which have been
discovered show a very high tech level and an equally high
degree of sophistication, such artifacts often reveal new,
previously undiscovered or unexploited technologies.
The Ancients were responsible for several major features
within the region now occupied by the Imperium. Their warfare
resulted in the large proportion of asteroid belts throughout
explored space. There is evidence they created the multiworld
rosette ar Tireen (Knaeleng 2910, in the Vargr extents). Scattered
empty cities (most severely damaged by battle) stand as
evidence of their wars; most, however, are restricted areas
under investigation by the Imperium and not open to the public.
One notable exception is the world Antiquity (Corridor 0816).
The Antiquity Ancients site is open to tourists; its fascinating
museum displays many wondrous and mystifying artifacts,
many of which are still in working condition