The Kystra were a race of traders. They lived 5-6 billion B.C., roughly at the same time as the Great Vampires.
During their "Era of Embodiment", the Kystra had technology based on the manipulation of matter right down to the level of quantum functions. The Kystra sold their technology to the highest bidder. The Second Doctor suggested that the Kystra were the race who supplied the race who created Arkive with their technology. At some point after this, they entered their "Era of Disembodiment". (PROSE: The Wheel of Ice)