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An Ancient [1] is a Yautja that is close to 1,000 years old and has survived many Hunts and battles. They are not clan leaders, but loyal and valued advisers to an existing Clan Leader. Considered spiritual leaders, humans often mistake them as Elders.

Overview[]

Appearance and Bearing[]

Ancient Yautja are some of the oldest individuals in the species, which is commendable in itself as the Yautja's chosen lifestyle is exceedingly dangerous and claims the lives of many hunters from all ages and levels of experience. Compared to other castes of hunter, Ancients are rare and distinct from younger Yautja. Namely, they show evidence of their age in the multiple facial quills of the face and greying dreadlocks, where a younger hunter's would be shorter and black.

Besides their physiology, the gear that ancient Yautjas have is notably more ornamental than in the typical population, which is known to denote high status.[2] This is especially true in the case of the mask, which are notably unique to the standard Bio-Helmet, as can be seen with Ancient Hunter Lord. Commonly, Ancients are seen without their masks.

Role In Society[]

"Philosphy was not his bent. Let the old ones worry about such things."
― Dachade, after considering his Ancestor's words
AncientWarriorNeca

While still capable of hunting and often mistaken as Elder predators by humans, Ancient Yautja serve their communities as spiritual leaders to the Clan, Advisors to Clan Leaders, and even using their experience and seemingly clairvoyant abilities to act as mentors to younger Yautja, who often eagerly seek their guidance.[3]. Some Ancients make up the Council of Ancients, the governing body of the Yautja species. Overall, Ancients serve a non-active administrative role in preserving the spiritual and hunting culture of their clan or species.

Ancient

A clan typically only has one ancient at a time, and that is their oldest and wisest member. Towards the end of an Ancient's life, they appoint a successor, to which the title of Ancient and the ancient's mask is handed down to. This is often, but not always, a similarly wizened Yautja. The Ancient's mask, called the Mask of the Ancients, is modified uniquely by each Yautja it is passed down to and is untold thousands of years old. Ancients are technically subordinate to Elders in rank, but their wisdom and age garners deference from the Clan Leader and Clan itself that may make this hard to sus out to outside observers. This is likely why Ancients and Elders are often confused for one another by Humans.

Ancientnukecarrierwskull

The Nuke Carrier with the PredQueen's Skull

As spiritual leaders, Ancients are known to be called upon to correct grave atrocities commited against the Yautja race. The existence of a Predalien Queen and her hive prompted the Council of Ancients to dispatch a sacrificial associate, an Ancient Nuke Carrier, to destroy the Queen and brood, as it was seen as an afront to the predator species and as destroying the species' integrity. This individual moved with the lightning speed of a much younger hunter, particularly those of Brawler rank. However, unlike those Yautja, the Nuke Carrier's onslaught was debilitating enough to cause even heavily-armored and exceedingly dangerous strains of Xenomorph to flinch, such as Predaliens and Praetorians. It's glory strike was powerful enough to stun a entire swarm of Xenomorphs at once. This would suggest that age does not weaken a Yautja with time and may even make them stronger.

Notable Individuals[]

Appearances[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Alien vs. Predator
  2. Alien vs. Predator 2, Yautja Campaign
  3. Ancient Predator Descritpion
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