Lorien

"Ah hell means continuous fire in Minbari."

- Lorien

Lorien was a character on the television series Babylon 5 from a race that was called the First Born.

Lorien was played by series regular Wayne Alexander.

At some point in the very distant past Lorien was the first individual to gain sentience in the galaxy. Born naturally immortal, he helped his people explore the galaxy, and found the races that later became known as the First Ones, such as the Shadows and Vorlons. They helped guide these races out of infancy and into becoming First Ones. Over the years he evolved beyond his physical body, becoming a being of pure energy, but continued to use his physical form when dealing with younger races.

Eventually many of the First Ones left the galaxy to explore beyond the rim. Lorien, the Shadows, Vorlons, and a few other First Ones stayed behind. Lorien took up residence deep inside Z'ha'dum. Every time the Shadows were beaten they would come back, thinking they were honoring him.

After many centuries alone Lorien finally encountered the human John Sheridan, saving Sheridan's life after Sheridan jumped into a chasm. He revealed the truth of what was going on with the Shadows and Vorlons to Sheridan, and together they hatched a plan to end the cycle of violence the two First One races were causing.

Returning to Babylon 5 with Sheridan Lorien helped the younger races as they brought the Shadows and Vorlons together over Corianna 6. It was there that Lorien finally convinced the First Ones that their time had passed, and it was time for all the First Ones to finally depart the galaxy.

Joining the remaining First Ones, Lorien went beyond the rim to reside with all the other First Ones. Before leaving Lorien asked the younger races that they would continue to grow and teach those who followed them. Lorien told them if they survived that he looked forward to the day when they joined the First Ones beyond the rim, that they would wait for the younger races. He then transformed himself into his energy form and left the galaxy.

Lorien briefly returned to the galaxy in 2281 in order to bring the dying John Sheridan beyond the rim.