I've always been fond of somewhat mysterious puzzles after I participated in a puzzlehunt years ago. Anyway, here is my shot at making one, I tried to keep it small and elegant (hopefully!):

> **Blind to Life**
> 
> *I am blind to Life.*
> 
>          ''    9@B
>     7    K <   < '   G
>          2'B    @A
> 
> *I leave the dead in my wake.*
> 
>     I?  -' I?
>      I "A@  I
> 
> *I have lived for many generations.*
> 
>     +"-'
> 
> *None shall come before me.*
> 
>     _&1&72
>     HHZOEA
>     !!S[&B
>     CEBEG
> 
> *Take the first of the name of the type of each of the others.*
>
> *What am I?*

Clues, in order of increasing spoilerifficness:

**Hint -1:**
>! This is **not** a cipher-type puzzle...but there is an encoding of sorts.

**Hint 0:**
>! I'm using the standard ASCII version.

**Hint 1:**
>! The answer is an acronym.

**Hint 2: Extra Spoilery**
>! The title is really important and not just there for show.

**Hint 3: Even More Spoils**
>! There is a capitalized word.

Feedback is welcome!