Ara

Aras are a species of extinct humanoids hailing from Mars. They're often referred to as Martians and are responsible for the path of Tellurian evolution, as well as many aspects of Tellurian culture and civilizations.

History
Billions of years ago, Planet Mars was inhabited by the belligerent Aras. Their origins are unclear but tied to the Theos. Astounding organic beings practically built for battle, the Aras didn't always take well to Theos grand designs. They began fighting each other before rebelling against the Theos entirely and cutting themselves off from the rest of the universe. In their minds, their way was the right way, and they sought no betterment beyond the advancement of their warrior culture. Many Aras devolved into independent, animalistic beings with no love of communication, imagination, or emotion. There were those who maintained clarity and struggled against the fallen Aras, but they were very few in number. Planetary wars and shunning of the Theos brought ruin to their planet, despite the efforts of others, and a series of horrific events destroyed the planet. Few survivors escaped, but they sought refuge on a newer, larger planet. Their name and story would later birth myths synonymous with war, destruction, and curses upon new home, Tellus.

The Ara Remnants were not fit for life on Tellus, and the shifting world they hoped would be their salvation became their tomb. Unable to adapt quickly enough, many Aras died out, and the dwindling numbers scrambled to save themselves. They reconciled with the Theos, who aided their efforts as they began the contruction of a colony that would imitate the conditions of pre-apocalyptic Mars. They named their civilization Atlantis.

While the Ara Remnants were changing their way of life, Tellus, or Geb as they called it, was also changing. Rocks broke off from Mars and struck the planet, causing destruction and changing the face of the world. Biological material from Mars carried by the debris and the Aras began seeping into the Tellus ecosystem, effecting life and evolution. This contamination allowed the Aras to travel outside Atlantis, having adapted over a long period of time while the planet seemingly changed for them. They themselves began to form Tellurian culture and integrate into Tellurian evolution.

As Tellus and Mars became a meshing of two planets, a few Ara remained stubborn and clung to old ideals. They refused to dilute their bloodlines by interbreeding futher, and they travelled with the goal of preserving and spreading the old culture. Their stories, technology, and ideals helped shape civilizations such as those of ancienty Greece, Rome, and Egypt.