FIRST AGE OF KNOWLEDGE
This is how the Saresii most often refer to the Old Saresii Empire before they sided with the Seenians against the Dark Ones who severely punished them for their decision.
The Saresii are an Old Civilization and the time of their first ascent to the Stars was about 1.5 Million years ago. They expanded greatly and ruled over much of the Galaxy. Their technology reached TL 11. They were an arrogant and quite ruthless race in their own way. During this time their Arts and Science reached unprecedented heights. The Saresii considered themselves equal with the Pree and the Uni.
After they lost the war against the Dark Ones and all of their colonies were lost, much of their knowledge and advances were lost as well and the Saresii had to start over almost from scratch. The Anti-Male hysteria didn't help and their collective fear of ever traveling into Space again also curbed their second period of development.
In very rare cases some of the old knowledge and tech remains. It belongs to the most guarded secrets that the Saresii usually don't share with the rest of the Union. Their technology did not die completely as attested by the Saresii Body Changers and Mind Dump Machines which are products of that time. So are the Saresii Mind Bands and Espergraphs. The Gate to Netherworld in the Bottom Level of the library is also a product of that Tech area.
The Gray Cat Society also traces its roots to the First Age.