Those Who Came Before

Those Who Came Before (also known as the Precursors, the Ancients, and the First Civilisation) is an umbrella term used to describe the lost civilisations of times long since passed. Despite vigorous and extensive research, very little is actually known about them. How they were, what they did, and where they went are all relative unknowns and subject to speculation.

To date, there has never been any biological evidence of Those Who Came Before. Living subjects, corpses or even skeletal remains have all somehow avoided archaeologists. The only evidence of their existence is the many ruins and complexes that dot Magnula, as well as whatever lies within them. Sometimes, though uncommon, objects and relics can be found within these ruins, objects that tell us a little more about this civilisation.

## **Physical Evidence**

Though evidence is scarce, there is still plenty of evidence that Those Who Came Before existed. Much of this is physical - objects and ruins and the like. The main evidence though is the presence of ruins and complexes all across the planet. These ruins vary in size and layout, with very few being similar to each other. What purposes these ruins served is also unknown, but it is probable that they served a role similar to modern-day towns and cities. Though quite a few ruins have been discovered, only some of these have been thoroughly explored. Additionally, it is commonly accepted that there are still many ruins that have yet to be discovered, let alone explored.

### **The Remnant**

The Remnant is the name given to peculiar, automated machines that populate the ruins of the First Civilisation. They seem to be responsible for the maintenance of the remaining ruins and are known to protect these places fiercely. Interestingly, they seem to operate on a sort-of artificial caste system, with specific Remnant types holding more status and power over others. Though they resemble modern machines, captured Remnant remains have proven to be completely incomprehensible to engineers, leading many to believe that they operate on completely different technology than what the modern world possesses.

Currently, there are five known types of Remnants:

* **Workers -** the lowest and most basic of the Remnant. Resembling spiders, it is believed they are responsible for routine maintenance of complexes.
* **Overseers -** placed just above Workers in the caste system, Overseers are essentially foremen. They handle more complex tasks and ensure that the Workers conduct their jobs properly.
* **Guards -** as the name suggests, Guards are responsible for the protection of complexes. They walk on 4 limbs that each points in a different direction, allowing the machine's body high manoeuvrability and a 360° line of sight. A Guard's typical form of attack involves firing solid projectiles at an attacker.
* **Constructors -** constructors are responsible for the most advanced repairs and the construction or expansion of complexes. That said, with the disappearance of Those Who Came Before many Constructors seem to simply perform repair functions, like Workers do.
* **Watchers -** the most powerful of the known Remnant types, Watchers seem to be the leaders of the Remnant. Resembling large octopi or cuttlefish, they hang from ceilings and walls. As well as leaders, Watchers are also protectors of First Civilisation complexes, wielding a variety of weapons against trespassers.