With the imminent release of StarCraft II on 27 July, we at MyGaming thought it time to brush up on StarCraft canon.
The origin of the alien races of Zerg and Protoss rests with the Xel’naga, an ancient and psionically attuned species. Although considered their true name, the word ‘xel’naga’ is also a Protoss term which translates as ‘wanderer’s from afar.’ A suitable moniker – the Xel’naga arrived in the Milky Way galaxy tens of millions of years before the Great War of 2499 which transpired in StarCraft.
The Xel’naga are an incredibly long-lived species, with time enough to travel the universe and seed thousands of planets with new species – but they weren’t immortal. The Xel’naga aimed to uplift two species, cultivating ‘purity of essence’ in one, and ‘purity of form’ in another. Over the millennia, the Xel’naga expected the two species to be drawn together and eventually merge. This would complete the Xel’naga life-cycle, and bring about the rebirth of the Xel’naga species.
During their galactic travels, the Xel’naga discovered the ‘Voice in the Darkness,’ an ancient and powerful void-based entity. Due to the destructive intentions of the Voice in the Darkness, which had laid waste to entire civilisations and planets, the Xel’naga imprisoned the Voice on a planet known as KL-2, where it remained undisturbed for millennia. In the graphic novel series StarCraft: Frontline, the Voice is inadvertently released from its prison, and it is almost certainly waiting in the shadows of StarCraft II.
The First Born
Returning to Aiur, a previously seeded world on the fringe of the Milky Way, the Xel’naga came across a psionically gifted tribal race – prime candidates for ‘purity of form’ cultivation. The Xel’naga christened this race Protoss, which translates to ‘first born.’ The Xel’naga began to speed Protoss evolution with great success. The species advanced rapidly and the Xel’naga eventually revealed themselves to their creation, who began to revere them as gods.
Protoss Zealot
Ideological rifts began to develop between the various Protoss tribes, but the Xel’naga considered this to be an interesting experiment, and allowed the division to escalate. The split proved catastrophic and the Protoss degenerated into tribal warfare, severing their communal psionic link.
The Xel’naga fled Aiur, leaving behind numerous artefacts, temples, and psionic crystals. Many of their number were lost when the Protoss turned on them. Despite the mayhem in their wake, the Xel’naga were satisfied that the Protoss ‘Purity of Form’ had been achieved, and they moved on to focus on the ‘Purity of Essence.’
Xel’Naga Temple
The Collective
Towards the galactic core the Xel’naga discovered insect-like life forms on planet Zerus – the Zerg. The Xel’naga began to genetically modify the creatures with phenomenal success. The species became the dominant life form on Zerus by assimilating or eradicating all other creatures. Assimilated species would have their genetic code incorporated into that of the Zerg, with incredibly rapid evolutions taking place.
Zerg Hydralisk
In light of their experience on Aiur, the Xel’naga decided that a single central sentience would better control the rapidly evolving species – the Overmind was born. The Xel’naga established a hidden psionic link with the Overmind in order to monitor Zerg progress. In its constant quest to assimilate new genetic material, the Overmind realised that it would need to leave Zerus. The Overmind had also detected Xel’naga ships in high-orbit and these were a prime target.
Severing the psychic link, the Overmind launched a devastating attack on the Xel’naga, slaying a large percentage of their number – the remnants scattered into the galaxy. Through knowledge assimilation, the Overmind learnt of the Protoss, a species whose assimilation became its primary objective. The Zerg began their inexorable crawl through the galaxy.
The Prophecy
Thus the two scions of the Xel’naga were created, millions of years before the rise of the Human species. But what of the Xel’naga? Throughout StarCraft, numerous prophecies foretelling the return of the Xel’naga were uncovered and many Xel’naga temples and structures mysteriously unearthed themselves.
The Protoss Dark Templar Zeratul unearthed an ancient tablet which foretold of a Xel’naga prophecy – Zeratul pondered as to whether the Xel’naga would come to save, or destroy. Infested Kerrigan – the Queen of Blades – with her immense psionic capacity, could clearly sense the Xel’naga looming in the shadows. During one incident Kerrigan taunts Zeratul by saying “do you hear them Zeratul? Whispering from the stars? The galaxy will burn with their coming.”
Zeratul
Numerous interviews with Blizzard employees have confirmed that we can expect to enjoy further revelations regarding the Xel’naga in StarCraft II, as this particular narrative arc forms part of the backbone of the StarCraft II trilogy.
StarCraft enjoyed immense success partly due to its rich and fascinating universe. The original still boasts some of the best writing and voice acting that can be found in a game. With the bar set high, we can only wait in excited anticipation for the continuation of this epic space opera.
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