Codex Entry: The Ancient Allies of the Republic

 There's no race in the Galactic Republic more wise and ancient than the Predecessors. Today, we'll take a look at their role in the Republic's creation, as well as a glimpse into their history.

Art by Tom Edwards and Jozef Boza

   Of all the races that make up the Republic, the Predecessors are perhaps the most important members. Without them, the Galactic Republic that spans seven alien species wouldn't exist.

   It started during the tail end of the grovinians' Age of Wonders, where they traveled across dozens of star systems, both for colonization purposes and for the sake of discovery. The vessel known as the Celestial made yet another blind jump through their Slip-Space Highway, and landed fifty kilometers away from the largest man-made structure known to the galaxy--Absilon Prime.

   The Dyson Sphere, which is five astronomical units in diameter, served as the home of its creators, the Predecessors. It took some time, but the grovinians within the Celestial eventually made contact with the Predecessors. Though weary of the outsiders, the Predecessors allowed them entry into Absilon Prime and engaged in extensive talks with the grovinians.

   It was in these months of communication that the two races formed a bond. This connection gave way for the formation of the Galactic Republic of Spacefaring Races; an alliance that promised to work hand in hand with other aliens and pave the way for a larger galactic community.

   Little is known to the public about the Predecessors' biology, and this is by design. Although intrinsic to the Republic's creation, the Predecessors are in a self-inflicted exile. Nobody knows why, but the ancient people have sworn to never leave Absilon Prime.

   What is known about them, is that their entire body is made of metal, while retaining the flexibility that standard organic races have. The only Predecessor to make regular contact with the outside galaxy, Senator Icaar, is known to wear a cloak. This is because previous senators have reported feeling unnerved by his appearance.

   Although their homeworld is unknown, one thing that everyone across the Milky Way knows is the Predecessors' superior technology. Absilon Prime alone is evidence of that, but ancient grovinian historians made note of the fact that Predecessor stations were able to repair themselves on their own. This feature, should any Predecessor space stations still exist, would allow them to remain as functional today as they were at the time of their creation.

   No codex entries were ever made on Predecessor weaponry, but experts believe any such weapons would far exceed any gun, starship or warhead in use today, or even a thousand years from now. Although the mystery surround them is irritating to some, no one can deny that the Predecessors, with all their wisdom and experience, have been crucial allies to the Republic.