Ancient Civilization

The Ancients
"A once proud race."
Appearance	Arthropodal in biology, slightly humanoid, hunched posture
Creations	,
Downfall	Overuse of , leading to their destruction via the

“I’d never wanna meet one in person.”

–Winona

The Ancient Civilization were a race of magically and technologically adept beings who destroyed themselves by overuse of Nightmare Fuel (causing the periods of magical flux and possibly unleashing Shadow Creatures, which helped in bringing their downfall) The Ruins and Ancient Archive are the remnants of their civilization.

While little is known about them, examination quotes for Ancient Murals, Ancient Lunarune Stones, and images from the Metheus Puzzles offer hints on their history.

When examining the Ancient Fuelweaver and the Ancient Murals, a number of characters refer to the members of the Ancient Civilization as "bug people". These quotes also reveal how the bug people were at one point weak and starving, living in fear. The examination quotes from the Ancient Lunarune Stones explain that they were at some point obsessed with the Moon, whom they referred to as a being called Alter. At some point these people discovered Nightmare Fuel, which overtook their civilization. These bug people then shed their outside exoskeletons and were reborn as creatures with a new appearance. It is at this point that they build a beautiful and prosperous civilization by harnessing the Nightmare Fuel to perform Magic.

The Ancient Herald that appears during the Aporkalypse seems to be a member of this race, having a similar appearance to them.

Their appearance strongly resembles that of a Terrorbeak: overall body structure and spinal spikes visible on the statues located in the Atrium as well as obelisk carvings. The ancients' forked tails resemble the small legs of a Terrorbeak as well.

Trivia

• The Ancients seem to have used electrical power in some form, as their Relics can drop Frazzled Wires when destroyed.
• While little can be confirmed about their appearance, the appearance of the Mage Statue reveals that the ancients may have been arthropodic in structure, with a slightly knobby shell on their backs resembling that of a pill bug. It may be important to note that in the Nightmare Cycle, spikes can be seen extending from both the Head and Mage Statues, showing that they may have been able to extend spikes from their bodies, possibly when angered or in self-defense.

Gallery

An ancient mage statue built by the civilization. An ancient head statue built by the civilization. An ancient moon statue built by the civilization. An Ancient Pseudoscience Station. The Ancient Guardian's Nightmare Fuel induced form. A Nightmare Light used by the ancients. A stone chair used by the ancients. A chip bowl used by the ancients. A vase used by the ancients. A plate used by the ancients. A mural on a wall featured in the Metheus Puzzles. A mural on an obelisk featured in the Metheus Puzzles. A mural on an obelisk featured in the Metheus Puzzles. A mural on an obelisk featured in the Metheus Puzzles. A mural on an obelisk featured in the Metheus Puzzles. Mural on an obelisk, data mined version. Mural on an obelisk, data mined version. Mural on an obelisk, data mined version. Mural on an obelisk, data mined version. A symbol atop the Ancient Herald's head, resembling the Ancient Gateway.