Yeah, you've got me hooked on that idea!
What was the Bugs' first contact with the rest of the galaxy like?
Ha ha so! Took me a bit to make my doodles but here’s some, and ideas for the au. Pictured is Ghost but I like to think any vessel would work (and partly to just have him as a placeholder)
Salarian first contact. In where bug kind ran into them at the same time as discovering the relays. Unlike turians it wasnt so much a first contact war as Salarians trying to get the bugs to leave, the bugs not recognizing some tall fuckers authority, and the the STG had to get involved..
Unfortunately due to the salarians meddling…
The bugs enter a new tech stage of their evolution! Those that had survived STG’s precision strikes came back with bits of tech, letting crafting bugs get better looks and combined together to create the mass effect tech. Due to these new tools, bugs as a whole developed away from using metal nails and pins in favor of omni-tool fabricators to duel. As for Ghosts/vessels weapon i just wanted a Nail gunblade xD
With the salarians now on an even field the bugs continued their wandering of the galaxy. And now without having a handle on things the salarians were forced to admit to the Asari and Turians about their existence. Turians not thrilled, and Asari very much underestimating how strong small packages can be. Now that the Salarians had failed (again, after the whole Krogan, Yahg…) the turians stepped in. Nobody could have predicted…
That the void and Shade lord are what protects the bugs home planet and neighboring colony planets. A dangerous opponent in space let alone on their home turf, there were casualties on both sides. (Mostly Turian) This is also where I think the Reapers really didnt bother with harvesting bug kind for a long time, because of the Shade Lord. Turians that survived (so few of them) described the nightmare as the very space sucking in their comrades into destruction. That the enemy forces willingly embraced their haunting to drive off invaders in ways they couldnt before. (Think of it as ‘im not strong on my own but if i give myself to the void, i can ensure my loved ones are still safe’)
After fighting with two major species (im aware im making them op, they’re my favorite) the bugs then… get introduced to the Krogan. Or rather the Krogan heard of tiny species that loves to fight that made their hated enemies their bitches and wanted to see how strong they are! The average bug, would get decimated by a krogan. Vessels are not average and given i like to think they were some of the spaces first introduction, that they got along WONDERFULLY to Krogan. Tiny warriors that live to throw down and see something 5 times their size and go ‘i can take him’!? Krogan LOVE bugs, they understand! Battle buddies!…
Fortunately, the Asari knew who to call to reign in the newcomers. If brawn nor brain can tame them.. MONEY CAN! Thus the bugs are introduced to credits and take very well to it. Hollownest Geo are likely made of decent minerals and easily take to the conversion. With Pharloom beads are worth more due to craftsmanship of them. The volus are from then assigned Bug kinds primary advocates when it comes to Citadel laws and regulations. As things evened out and time bled into normalcy. Most species now view them as little feisty annoyances. The idea that either a different higher being/ GMS (Grand Mother Silk) is considered a diplomat. But i hesitate to actually make a specialized higher being. Perhaps I can focus on making a pantheon of higher beings to inject xD
