From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

It has been suggested that Psionic technology (StarCraft) be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

The Protoss are a fictional alien race in Blizzard Entertainment's real-time strategy computer game series StarCraft, and a series of novels based on the game. They are depicted as being technologically advanced and using cybernetics and psionic abilities in battle. In general, their units are more powerful though more expensive than those of the other two Starcraft races. Several notable professional players consistently play as the Protoss, including the top-ranked player as of September 2007 in the Korea e-Sports Association (KeSPA), Kim Taek-Yong.

Contents 1 Gameplay 1.1 Physiology 2 Philosophy 3 History 4 References 5 External links

Like each of the other two races in Starcraft, the Protoss technology tree and gameplay style are unique. They are very technologically-advanced and also have the use of psionic powers. Generally, Protoss units are much more powerful than those of other races. However, because of this, they are also more expensive and generally less efficient to mass in large numbers. Probes, the basic worker unit, are able to place a "warp gate" for structures; once this warp gate is set, the structure can warp in on its own and the probe can immediately seek more work. They are the only race that has the advantage of having their worker unit "construct" multiple structures at once with the same probe, giving them a distinct advantage in setting up bases.

All Protoss units and structures possess a psionically-generated shield that can recharge over time. Because of the shield, however, the base hit point values of Protoss units and structures are generally lower than that of the other races. However, the shields are generally thought of as "adding on" to the hit points, and therefore make the Protoss units tougher than those of the other races. There are abilities, however, that can negate the shields of a Protoss.

Like the Zerg (but unlike the Terrans), the Protoss have limitations in where they can set up their structures. Most structures (with specific exceptions) must be powered by the psionic matrix of a Pylon (meaning it must be within its psionic "radius"). If the pylon (or pylons) powering the structure is destroyed, the structure ceases to operate. Pylons also provide supply for the Protoss, allowing them to continue warping in units and expanding the unit cap until the maximum of 200.

Protoss are about three meters tall and have two glowing eyes, digitigrade legs, semi-permeable skin covered in scales, four digits on their hands (of which two are thumbs) and toes, broad chests and shoulders, and narrow waists with slim midsections. Extending back from the crown of the head, Protoss have a bony crest. Beneath it, emerging from the back of the head, are the nerve cords, allowing them to access their racial psionic gestalt. This gestalt is the basis of the Khala.

The Xel'Naga considered these beings to have purity of form as the Protoss are incredibly adaptable to harsh natural conditions and climates, and their strength and speed were unparalleled amongst the other races known to the Xel’Naga. Protoss even have sharp claws, which can be deadly weapons if a Protoss is caught unarmed. The Protoss used to hunt, but they did so to collect the blood and hides of animals for various purposes, not for sustenance.^[1]

Protoss are bereft of mouths, noses, or visible ears. Two of the Protoss portraits (namely those of Aldaris and the Arbiter unit) appear to have mouths, but these "mouths" do not ever open. Protoss are photosynthetic,^[1] capable of living off of moonlight (reflected sunlight),^[1][2] and can go without light for extended periods of time.^[2] They drink water,^[3] and what little water they need is absorbed through their skins.^[2] The Dark Templar were able to survive on the formerly lightless world of Shakuras using unknown techniques, possibly related to the biological modifications^[4] they made to themselves; another possibility is that they are able to use any form of cosmic radiation for their needs.

Protoss hear and smell through their skin, and it is believed that their primary sense is sight. Protoss have a sense of smell sharp enough to identify other Protoss and see very well at night. A Protoss' skin color may change when due to its emotions. Protoss sleep and dream in a manner similar to humans.^[1]

A Protoss' average life expectancy is about at least a thousand years (see Matriarch Raszagal), Protoss under 300 years rarely have any significant political positions. Artanis, who is 262 years old, is considered young, despite his powerful military position.

Protoss blood is blue or purple,^[1] with a slight iridescence. They also have a psionic pulse encased in a physical body. Once that body is destroyed, the psionic pulse dissipates, flaring with a pale, blue light.

Protoss religion takes its roots from the wars that plagued Aiur following the retreat of the Xel'Naga. United under the teachings of Khas after several generations of warfare, the Protoss began to adhere to Khas's teachings of the "Khala", or Path to Ascension. When Protoss warriors die in battle it is believed that they have reached the "Khala's End."

• Khala ("Path of Ascension"): This is a personal philosophy that emphasizes inner peace and communal brotherhood. It is also reflected in the caste system of the Protoss where all the castes are different but equal and working towards the same goal.
• Dae'Uhl ("Great Stewardship"): This is the official policy that the Protoss developed concerning other races encountered. It is a strict code that above all protects life, while simultaneously mandates an inarguable policy of non-interference with the races they watch over.

The Protoss were originally discovered on their home world of Aiur by the Xel'Naga, a race of alien geneticists who sought to develop a perfect species.^[5] The Xel’Naga liked the Protoss, as they seemed near perfection already, and were especially impressed by their psionic link. This link was a form of instinctive telepathy, enabling them to communicate with one another, so that even large groups could work together efficiently.

The Xel'Naga altered them to some extent with their Khaydarin Crystals, but were content to remain unseen for many generations. The Xel'Naga felt they had achieved their goal, and gave the new race the name of Protoss, or 'the First Born'. Aiur was eventually covered by civilized Protoss, and so the Xel'Naga descended onto Aiur in order to more closely study the evolution of their charges. The Xel'Naga were initially revered as gods, as the Protoss looked towards their creators with respect and a lust for knowledge. However, as the understanding and personal awareness of the young Protoss grew, they began to place greater pride in individual achievements rather than the benefit of the community.

The tribes began to fear treachery from their masters, and in seeking to sever themselves from the rest of their race, attempted to lose the psychic link that they shared. This dissolved whatever remnants of brotherhood or unity that the Protoss had shared. Feeling that the greatest attribute of the Protoss was lost, the Xel'Naga began withdrawing from Aiur. However, the suspicious Protoss responded with an attack on the Xel'Naga Worldships, which fended off the hasty attack and left the system. The Protoss Tribes then turned against each other, beginning what is now known as the Aeon of Strife, a devastating civil war that lasted hundreds of years.

The war was finally ended by a Protoss named Khas, who had rediscovered the teachings and technology of the Xel’Naga. Using his discoveries, which he called the Khala, he was able to restore the psionic link with most of the Protoss. With this done, he divided the Protoss into three castes; the Judicator Caste (Politicians), the Templar Caste (Warriors), and the Khalai Caste (Workers and Artisans).

A few of the Protoss refused to join the Khala. These were exiled from Aiur by the new government, and were later called the Dark Templar.^[5] These Dark Templar traveled the galaxy for hundreds of years with no home world, severing their psionic link with the other Protoss. During their travels, they learned to use cosmic energies to power their psionic powers.^[5] The Rogue Tribes eventually discovered the planet Shakuras during their journeys and remained.

Meanwhile, the Aiur Protoss conquered hundreds of worlds within their corner of the galaxy, spreading civilization to many of the less advanced races that they encountered.^[5] The Protoss would then consider themselves the stewards of the conquered races, allowing them to govern themselves without interference.^[5] They did the same when Terran colonies began to appear on the edge of Protoss space. They did not initially reveal themselves to the Terran. However, when the Zerg were discovered and began infesting border Terran worlds without the Terrans' knowledge, the Protoss were forced to intervene. The Executor Tassadar was ordered to burn any Terran worlds on which the Zerg had embedded themselves. After destroying one world and leaving the Terran scattered and confused, he disobeyed orders and refused to burn any more worlds until the Terran had completely evacuated the planet. Eventually Tassadar disappeared and began seeking out the Dark Templar, who he believed had the ability to help them fight the Zerg.

Eventually the Zerg were able to discover the location of the Protoss homeworld of Aiur and invaded it, sending the Protoss fleeing and implanting the Overmind within its crust. After the betrayal of Tassadar, the Conclave (the government of the Protoss) appointed a new Executor (the player) to seek out Tassadar, finding him in contact with a band of Terran and the Dark Templar. The new Executor decided to align himself with Tassadar. The Conclave agreed to help for a while as they saw the advantages of the Dark Templar in fighting the Zerg (they were able to kill Zerg Cerebrates, or leaders of the Zerg broods, without the Overmind instantly reincarnating them). However, they eventually tried Tassadar for collaborating with the Dark Templar, causing civil war to break out among the Protoss. Eventually, all-out civil war was averted as Tassadar, the Dark Templar led by Zeratul, and a group of Terrans led by Jim Raynor converged on the Overmind. Tassadar summoned his Templar powers and combined them with the powers of the Dark Templar that had been taught to him and sacrificed himself to kill the Overmind.

With the Zerg running loose across Aiur and the Conclave having collapsed, Zeratul convinced the remaining Protoss to flee to the Dark Templar homeworld of Shakuras. The Zerg Queen of Blades, Kerrigan, saying that she was no longer under control of the Overmind, helped the Protoss find two crystals of High and Dark Templar power (the Uraj and Khalis) that would wipe Shakuras of all of the Zerg that had followed them there if they agreed to help her destroy the new Overmind that was growing on the Zerg world of Char. The Matriarch of the Dark Templar agreed to help Kerrigan, and after the Overmind had been crippled and the crystals recovered, Aldaris, the leader of the remnants of the Conclave, once again betrayed the other Protoss. Kerrigan used this to her advantage and betrayed the Protoss, killing Aldaris and revealing her treachery. She had simply used them so that she could eliminate her competition and eventually take control of the Zerg broods for herself. A short time later, the Protoss combined the powers of the crystals at an ancient Xel'Naga temple and thus scoured the Zerg from Shakuras.

When Kerrigan and the Zerg later returned to Shakuras, they captured the Dark Templar Matriarch. Zeratul realized that the Matriarch Raszagal had already had her mind taken over by Kerrigan, an event which had happened before the Zerg had even arrived on Shakuras, and was forced to kill her. Kerrigan then let Zeratul go, saying he could never forgive himself for killing his own Matriarch. Through unknown means, Aldaris had known this and that is why he had again betrayed the other Protoss and also why Kerrigan had intervened and killed him.

At the end of the events of Starcraft: Brood War, the Protoss forces led by the young Artanis joined with the Terran forces of the United Earth Directorate and of the Dominion in a desperate attempt to defeat Kerrigan. Kerrigan and her forces were able to destroy all three of the forces, forcing the Protoss to retreat back to Shakuras and begin rebuilding their civilization.

After Zeratul had fled Shakuras, he was drawn to power signatures on an unknown moon. He soon discovered the mysterious character of Samir Duran attempting to create a Protoss/Zerg hybrid. Duran revealed that even though this one cell had been destroyed that he had many others like it all across the galaxy, and also that he worked for "a far greater power". During the following years Zeratul searched the stars for clues to Duran's intentions. In a campaign demonstration for StarCraft II, Zeratul makes an appearance to Jim Raynor and reveals that the "Xel'Naga have returned."

Protoss at StarCraft2.com

• Battle.Net: Protoss
• Protoss Units

v • d • e Topics related to the StarCraft series
Video games	StarCraft · Insurrection · Retribution · Brood War · Ghost · StarCraft II
Novels	Liberty's Crusade · Shadow of the Xel'Naga · Speed of Darkness · Queen of Blades · Nova · The Dark Templar Saga
Universe	Characters · Locations · Protoss · Psionic technology · Terrans · Xel'Naga · Zerg
Other	StarCraft Adventures · StarCraft the Board Game · StarCraft Campaign Editor · Professional competition