10 replies to this topic

[NatureDruid]

How could the great beings imbue some of the species they created with elemental powers? Science, or magic?

[Chro]

I believe it was their extensive scientific prowess. No specific explanation has been given, though, to the best of my knowledge.

[LewaLew]

I would assume BIONICLE science.

In case you haven't heard, it doesn't work the same way science does 'round these parts.

[Spinjitzu Master]

I prefer to think of it as a magical "science"..thinking BIONICLE too far in and explaining everything within logical bounds ruins the feel of it really.

[Makuta Matata]

Well, Mata Nui and the Mask of Life did it. Why would the GBs not be able to?

[BioGio]

Well, Mata Nui and the Mask of Life did it. Why would the GBs not be able to?

That's rather akin to saying that Tahu could shoot fire, so the GBs should have been able to. (Not to confuse the GBs and Element Lords, of course.) Or saying that Thomas Edison should have been able to emit light, since his invention could.

The difference there is that Mata Nui and the Kanohi Ignika were both products of that scientific prowess, and so had certain powers that would seem like magic. However, the GBs did not have any such special magical powers--only science. In other words, the GBs used science to give their creations "magic." That doesn't mean that the GBs could use magic, though.

~ BioGio

[bonesiii]

Greg said all the "magic" in Bionicle is science that's not understood. Fictional physics as well, to some extent (which you could call magic from our point of view, but would be natural to their universe -- however, IMO it's possible to explain all fictional physics with mechanisms that use real-world laws of nature).

A lot of it probably comes from the "natural" Energized Protodermis directly or indirectly. All the elemental and other powers in the giant robot / Matoran Universe come from the physics of the artificial protodermis that it's all made of, which the GBs made, inspired by the 'natural' EP. So all those can be easily explained.

As for things like the Element Lords, it may be that they experimented with EP to figure out how to mimic powers before they made artificial protodermis. I have gotten a strong impression for a long time that there are actually two major inventions -- first a method of creating stable energy structures that can project powers (something like spirits/ghosts), based on the energetic qualities of EP. Second, the physical imitation of EP; artificial protodermis.

If so, then they could have attached these artificial spirit-like energy substances to any normal molecular being or tools, granting them powers. Then later they implement the same thing in a more defined way with protodermis in the MU beings, methinks.

[Chro]

Or saying that Thomas Edison should have been able to emit light, since his invention could.

Thanks, Bio... now I have an image of a glowy Edison in my head...

Edited by Chro, Oct 08 2012 - 06:11 PM.

[Magnetic Vorahk]

Science. There is no magic in Bionice.

[Makuta Matata]

Well, Mata Nui and the Mask of Life did it. Why would the GBs not be able to?

That's rather akin to saying that Tahu could shoot fire, so the GBs should have been able to. (Not to confuse the GBs and Element Lords, of course.) Or saying that Thomas Edison should have been able to emit light, since his invention could.

The difference there is that Mata Nui and the Kanohi Ignika were both products of that scientific prowess, and so had certain powers that would seem like magic. However, the GBs did not have any such special magical powers--only science. In other words, the GBs used science to give their creations "magic." That doesn't mean that the GBs could use magic, though.

~ BioGio

What I'm saying is that if they can build a Mask that can do it, they can probably build one of themselves to do it.

[Vostrakha The Impossible]

It's fiction. I guess it's up to our imagination