Progenitor

The Progenitors are an ancient people, who have long been reviled but whose existence has faded away into rumors and stories. Bizarre and alien in appearance, their technology beyond comprehension. The behavior of the Progenitors themselves didn't help matters, as they refused to view other beings as their equals. Their extinction marks the end of the First Age, and almost all their technology and knowledge was lost with them, the rest undecipherable except to those most dedicated to figuring out the mysteries of these ancients.
It is difficult to tell what the Progenitors could, and could not, do. Much of the changes they brought to the galaxy were thousands of years in the past, if not millions, and tracking their influence of species is made more difficult by their tendency to genetically alter their many experimental subjects. Some say that Progenitors must have had access to some form of time travel, for the timelines to all make sense, but it is not a popular theory. After all, if Progenitors could travel through the timestream, then they can never truly be gone, can they?

Basic Information

Anatomy

Distinctly alien, the Progenitors are shaped vaguely like an anemone, with radial symmetry. They have few organs, hidden inside a central core of their body. This core, in turn, is placed inside a large ‘bell’, a transparent bubble which makes up the majority of their body. This bell is supported by ‘ribs’, ring-shaped structures set at regular intervals. These ribs are also lined with luminescent spots, which many observe to be eye-like but which fulfill no such function. Instead, these eye spots are used for communicating, flashing in patterns, a practice known as “blinking”. The entirety of their body is covered with a thick skin, which resembles some sort of halfway point between human skin and rubber; it is bumpy and somewhat rubbery to the feel, but not as tough. This skin is transparent, forms the bell of their bodies, and covers the ribs which support said bell.
Outside of their central body, Progenitors also possess several limbs, the exact number of which seems to vary. These long limbs can extend and shorten immensely, with the feather-like fingers at the end folding together into a single point. These limbs, much like the ribs, are lined with eye-spots used in communication.
It is thought that the appearance of a Progenitor may have inspired the stories of an angel’s ‘true form’, alien as they are.

Ecology and Habitats

While their natural habitat, their place of origin, is unknown, Progenitors once roamed the galaxy. Capable of surviving in the void of space, they were not above doing so, but they could also be found in their self-made space stations.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Strangely, Progenitors feed on a special ‘magical’ energy which is produced by all life, known as Vita. They are unique in that they feed exclusively on this energy, and have made unthinkably large changes to the galaxy just to increase the amount of food available to them.

Biological Cycle

Progenitors lived separate from planets and solar systems, and thus had little changes to adapt to. If they changed with the passing of time on a galactic scale, it was so slow that none could observe it.

Additional Information

Domestication

While not domesticated themselves, one can argue that Progenitors have ‘domesticated’ a majority of life in the galaxy, personally responsible for the terraforming of many planets and bringing life to them. They are credited with the speciation of the humanoids, having spread their early ancestors across the galaxy so they could produce food for the Progenitors.

Average Intelligence

Highly intelligent, at least equal to humans.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Little is known about the perceptive abilities of Progenitors. They definitely had some form of sight, as they used light to communicate with one another, but outside of this little is known. They didn't care about others speaking to them, but were also known for thinking other species below their caring.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Unthinkably advanced, with unthought-of integration between technology and magic.

History

Progenitors are an unthinkably ancient species. After their extinction, none of their past could be uncovered, and few wished to. They have fallen into obscurity, better known as the subject of myths and stories than a real species.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Extremely poor; Progenitors had no interest in other species beyond what they provided, and did not see them as anywhere near their level. To them, any other species was far inferior, like a human might see a bacteria.

EXTINCT

Lifespan

Seemingly ageless

Conservation Status

Extinct (EX): as of the Second Age.

Related Technologies

• Vita-harvesting machinery