First Ones
The First Ones is the collective name of a group of
aliens from the
television science fiction drama Babylon 5 is an epic science fiction television series [i] created, pr ...
.
Less specifically, the term is also occasionally used in reference to similarly ancient races in other fictional universes.
Encyclopedia
The
First Ones is the collective name of a group of
aliens from the
television science fiction drama Babylon 5 is an epic science fiction television series [i] created, pr ...
.
Less specifically, the term is also occasionally used in reference to similarly ancient races in other fictional universes.
Overview
The
First Ones are the ancient alien races of the galaxy, the first organisms to achieve sentience and the first to become spacefaring. Of these races,
Lorien's was the first, with Lorien himself being the first among them. They were followed by the
Shadows, who were discovered and taught by Lorien's people. Other races also appeared, among them the
Vorlons, the Walkers at Sigma 957, and others. Together they achieved great enlightenment and technological advancement. Over time, however, many of these races left the galaxy, some dying out, others heading beyond the galactic rim into the void of intergalactic space. Of the few who stayed behind, most remained for reasons known only to them, but of these remaining races, two would be charged with the guardianship of the younger races . These two are the
Vorlons and the Shadows.
Over the millennia, the
Vorlons and the Shadows became engaged in a war over their different philosophies. The Vorlons believed that the best way to teach the younger races was through order, law, and discipline, while the Shadows believed that the best path to teaching younger races lay through chaos, conflict, and strife. So embroiled did these two races become, so involved in their own conflict over their philosophies that they themselves lost their way, setting up an endless cycle of wars in which the younger races were pitted against each other as pawns.
The Shadow War
Besides the Vorlons and Shadows, there were other members of the First Ones in the galaxy. With the outbreak of the Shadow War in 2260, it was decided that it would be in the interests of those fighting the Shadows to seek out assistance of these remaining races. The first human sighting of one of these races occurred in 2258 when the survey ship Skydancer piloted by Catherine Sakai encountered a strange alien ship while investigating the planet Sigma 957. In 2260, a White Star commanded by
Cmdr. Ivanova and
Ranger Marcus Cole made contact with the Walkers of Sigma 957. Though initially turned down in their request for assistance, Ivanova was able to goad the Walkers into agreeing to provide assistance in the upcoming Shadow war when the time was right.
Later, in 2261, after the Vorlons began their involvement in the war, Cmdr. Ivanova, with Lorien's assistance, managed to make contact with all of the remaining First Ones in the galaxy. She had them rendezvous with the allied forces at Coriana 6, where they destroyed the Vorlon planet killer in the ensuing battle, besides the Walkers the other four ships were: the Kirishiac Lordship, Thoughtforce, the Triumviron, and the Dark Knife. At this stage, the Vorlons and the Shadows made one last attempt to bend the younger races to their will by telling Sheridan and
Delenn their side of the story. Unbeknownst to the two races, Lorien broadcast these conversations to the entire assembled fleet, whereupon the secret was out: the Vorlons and the Shadows, guardians of the younger races and representatives of the first ones had largely failed in their task by becoming consumed in their own fight to be the "right" race. This in turn led the younger races to reject both the
Vorlons and the Shadows, and pointedly requested for the two older races to leave them alone.
At this point, Lorien said it was finally time for the First Ones to leave the galaxy and join the others beyond the rim. The Vorlons and Shadows both decided to leave, and the other First Ones went with them, including Lorien himself. From then on, the younger races were alone in the galaxy, to make their own way in their evolution. After that, only Lorien returned to the galaxy, and then only once, in 2281. At this stage, he took Sheridan with him beyond the rim. After this, the First Ones were never seen again inside the galaxy.
A million years in the future, the
humans and
Minbari have also evolved to First One-like status.
Expanded Universe
Further information on these First Ones was created by Agents of Gaming rpg which produced miniatures for the different races. The supplement that contained information on the First Ones was called War of the Ancients and identified the names of these First Ones. The First Ones included the transcendant Triad who are second only to Lorien, the telepathic Mindriders, the gambling Torvalus, the ever seeking Walkers of Sigma 957 and the bloodthirsty Kirishiac Lords.
More information on this expanded universe is also contained in Mongoose Publishing rpg book Darkness and Light.
