Protoss (Earth-4343)

"We are the protoss. Children of ancient gods. We are the Firstborn. And we shall be the last left standing."

- - Artanis to John-117

The Protoss (Latin Psychicae anticuus, meaning "ancient psychic") are a sentient species of ancient and advanced arthropods/reptilians who thrived the stars during the Forerunner era, and because of the latter arrogance started the Resume War. One of the first species to be created by the Xel'naga, after the Forerunners and Humans only, the Protoss are highly arrogant, and since the Fall of Aiur, have become a dying race.

Following the activation of the Halo Array, the Protoss indexed by the Librarian on the Ark returned to their homeworld, and discovering the ancient texts left behind by their war with the Forerunners decided to conquer the Mantle by themselves.