Rakata

"Long ago the Rakata ruled all the known Galaxy; all species bowed down to us."

- Keeper Orsaa

The Rakata (sometimes referred to as the Builders) were roughly humanoid in bodyplan with amphibian-like features. They developed advanced technology, some of it thousands of times more advanced than any modern innovation, tens of thousands of years before the formation of the Galactic Republic. They used this advantage to conquer and enslave other species, forming an "Infinite Empire". At its height, the population of this empire was ten billion Rakata warriors and one trillion slaves.

The Rakata were described as a cruel and savage species. Rakata were known to defile the bodies of slain enemies by eating them, and they also practiced slavery. Their leader, The One, also was said to be a barbaric person. In addition, they were all Force-sensitive. A virtually endless stream of supplies was needed to continue the expansion of their empire. To this end, they created the Star Forge. The Star Forge was one of the Rakata's most advanced technological innovations, and met the Rakata's need for starships and war droids -- but at a terrible price.

The Star Forge was, in part, powered by the dark side of the Force. Rakata scientists and engineers were unconcerned that the Star Forge would have access to a near-limitless supply of energy. They believed that they could control it.

As a semi-living entity, the Star Forge gorged itself on this Dark Side power, and it used this insidious ability to manipulate the Force to cause the Rakata to fall out amongst themselves in a devastating civil war. The hate and anger created in this war fed the Star Forge.

Matters became even worse when a deadly plague that killed only Rakata broke out (It is theorized that the plague was the creation of a slave species) further weakening their empire, which finally collapsed under the weight of the civil war and the plague in approximately 28,000 BBY. The Rakata retreated to their capital system and fell into total barbarism. Only the Elders tribe--descendants of the Priest Caste--retained the memory of their past.

These Rakata still existed on their home planet. Thanks to Revan, who during his disappearance rediscovered them, about as early as 3,959 BBY, some of them regained their lost Force sensitivity, allowing them to rejoin the galactic community. However, almost no one they came across believed their stories about the Infinite Empire or their invention of the Hyperdrive. Most people considered them jokers or charlatans. Despite this, the Republic's academic circles continued to be aware of the extent of Rakatan rule, cataloging and studying Rakatan remains up until the Clone Wars.

Behind the scenes
'Hyperspace aliens' is a fanon nickname of the otherwise undescribed aliens who according to Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, they gave the Hyperspace technology to humans.

According to The New Essential Chronology, the Rakata were the originators of the technology, from where the Corellians adopted it, giving therefore a possible solution to the "mystery", though the book refers to the Architects, the famed hyperspace aliens, separately from the Rakata.

Appearances

 * Shadows and Light (vision to Duron Qel-Droma)
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic