Despite what you might think, the Mass Effect timeline extends way back in our history to a time when the Leviathans dominated all life in our Milky Way. The beginnings of the Leviathans dates back to around a billion years ago in a time known as Before Common Era or BCE. Most of us will probably be familiar with the more recent Common Era (CE) events surrounding the Mass Effect franchise. But let’s take a look at some of the major events in the Mass Effect timeline that bring us to where Commander Shepard’s story begins.
Before Common Era
The Leviathans have been dated as far back as 1,000,000,000 BCE in our galaxy. With its corpse being untouched for almost a billion years, the Leviathan of Dis, a Reaper, was killed and landed on the planet of Jatar. When eventually the corpse mysteriously disappeared from the planet and was believed to be the remains of a genetically engineered starship.
Fast forward many hundreds of million years to around 68,000 BCE and the Protheans achieve spaceflight and make the discovery of mass effect technology from the ruins of the extinct inusannon. They then go on to establish the Citadel and the galaxy-wide civilisation linked by the mass relay.
In 48,000 BCE the fall of the Protheans takes place as the Reapers arrive and proceed to wipe them out over the course of several centuries.
The homeworld of the Krogan entered the nuclear age in 1900 BCE. Which eventually results in global conflict and nuclear winter. In the aftermath of the devastation, remaining Krogans devolve into a collection of warring clans.
Around 580 BCE the Asari develop faster-than-light travel and begin to explore the mass relay network where they then discover the Citadel. Not long after the Citadel council is formed. Together the Asari and Salarians colonise the Citadel and establish it as the centre of the galactic community.
Council Era
The remaining BCE years see the galactic council expand as new races such as the Elcor, Hanar and Quarians, discover FTL travel or contact is made with them and join the Citadel Council.
1 CE – 300 CE the Rachni are discovered and prove to be hostile. War rages until the Rachni are declared extinct. For their aid during the Rachni wars, the Krogan are granted a new home world.
700 CE is the time of the Krogan Rebellions. Krogan warlords make attempts to take territory from other races in Citadel space.
693 CE, Beelo Gurji, a Salarian, was declared as the first Spectre by the Citadel Council.
In 710 CE the Salarian race unleashed the bio-weapon known as the Genophage upon the Krogan population in bid to wipe them out and put an end to Krogan uprisings. The Krogan population begins to decline.
From 1895 CE the Geth, created by the Quarians as a source of cheap labor, became self-aware. The Geth begin a revolt against their creators and the Geth Wars begin.
1969 CE -2022 CE humans began exploring space. With the first Luna landing, missions to Mars, Venus, Mercury, and more taking place.
2148 CE humanity discovers some highly advanced Prothean technology on Mars. Which accelerates discoveries in science and leads to the development of FTL travel.
11th April 2154 CE Shepard is born.
The Mass Effect Legendary Edition is now available with the whole trilogy remastered and ready to be experienced for the first time or all over again.