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IC: Vhisola | Ga-Metru, Great Temple "Uh you mean stay alive?" She rolled her eyes. "Yeah I'll do my best. See you later then Okuo. And thanks." With that she strode off , leaving the Ta-Matoran hacker alone in the Great Temple gardens. IC: Nixie | Ga-Metru, Great Temple Nixie nodded and pointed to the table covered in notes while she also put the kettle on for tea. "Just the coordinates of three major constellations so far. I observed the Mangai cluster, as well as major points of the Virtues. They're all changed and jumbled when compared to last year's. It hasn't stuck out to me yet what's most important because, well," Nixie took a breath, "they keep changing. What have you seen?" IC: Dark Hunters Only A small icon on the devices used by Dark Hunters for dispatches and hits flashed a soft green. The progress bar on a recent update finished without much fanfare, just a new hit: kill Dume. IC: Turaga Dume | Coliseum "You will turn this broadcast off immediately!" Turaga Dume remembered yelling as the squad mother forgery revealed itself to be Nidhiki. The advisory council stood in shock behind him. Nidhiki escaped with the use of his new staff's powers, and now Turaga Dume felt the full brunt of his frustration and anger and paranoia. Never alone, he stalked through the hallways of the Coliseum in search of some outlet for his emotional weakness. He couldn't find any. He needed to cool off before addressing his people. A Turaga visibly not in control of themselves would lead to further panic. For what they were worth, the wide open halls and vaulted ceilings of solid silver protodermis provided a meditative space to collect his thoughts. His footsteps echoed paired with the rap-tap-tapping of his staff and the soft chanting of priests from down the hall. Eventually, he made a broadcast. This time he sat in the customary position of mourning. "Brave citizens of Metru-Nui, I am here. I see your determination in the face of chaos and terror and I am proud to call you my people. Ta-Metru will soon be in containment, and those who still linger beyond their destined time will be treated with dignity as they are laid to rest. I grieve as you grieve, and let us mourn together how little the League of Six truly value innocent lives. "Some days ago I began a search for the Great Discs of Metru-Nui. I offered those who wish to protect this city a chance to prove themselves. Well heroes in the making, your time has come. Bring the Great Discs. Become the heroes we need to continue to defend our shores. In the texts of faith, remember it says night is darkest before the dawn. I say we are close to dawn on a new age, an age of beauty and art and freedom from the tyranny and violence of the League menace. Be strong, hold to your faith. I am with you." Back in his personal chambers, Dume removed the mantle of his office, placed the necklace on its tray by the mirror, and stuck his glasses back on his mask. It felt good to see clearly again. "I know, I know," he grumbled to himself, waving away opposition from his reflection in the mirror. "You know you know," said a voice behind him. Ooc: mobile no format

@Illuminatus Does it help if I confirm that BZPower did not pay Greg Farshtey? I think you overestimate the amount of money this site made, even back in our heyday, haha.

Admiral Jaldamir Admiral Jaldamir by Mohamed Marei, on Flickr "A noble and valiant commander whose sole purpose is to bring to justice anyone who dares to stand against the crown. Has a long-standing enmity towards criminals who fare the seas, especially Pirate Lord Dreadwind and his band of miscreants". Admiral Jaldamir by Mohamed Marei, on Flickr A reimagining of an old character I had built way back in 2015. Since the moment I lay eyes on the kanohi Iden I've always pictured it belonging to an elegant, gentlemanly-looking character. And I felt the same way about those Praetorian Guard cloth skitrts; as soon as I saw them, I knew I had to build a redcoat-wearing character. Revamping Jaldamir gave me the answer. Safe to say I managed to pull this aesthetic off? I'll let you all be the judge of that!

Did somebody in po happen bring a vacuum cleaner?

IC Stan | Po The Wanderer's philosophy was one of asking many questions and traveling wherever the Great Spirit guided him. The City of Legends still contained a great deal many answers, and key to the effective defense of the city against the Barraki was its leadership. With the Toa Mangai removed and Lhikan's sage management no longer a possibility, the continuity of Turaga Dume's reign, however questionable in manner to had been of late, was essential. There was no other leader who the whole of the citizenry would obey, and that throne was certainly not one Stannis wanted for himself, either, though there were some half-or-so of those who knew him who would theoretically endorse his enthronement. No, Dume was essential, and above that Dume was a representative of the Matoran nations. He needed to be protected, for no small number of reasons. .:Does he speak truth?:. he asked of Vashni across their mental network. .:He does.:. came a curt but somber reply. Up until then, Vyarik represented little more than an annoyance to Stannis, who's placid assuredness in his own abilities to more than effectively defend himself and his allies from the single Dark Hunter had banished the thought of a real danger. Stannis had not been concerned for his own safety but for others', an ethic that was represented not only at that moment's bravado but in the very existence of the matoran who stood and worked behind him, all of whom either looked up to him as a hero or were saved by him in distant battles and lands. It took a lot to draw The Wanderer into action as ironically, despite his reputation as a warrior and general, he much preferred his roles of wanderer and chronicler which were relatively pacifist vocations, vocations at the time manifested by the rucksack still slung on his shoulders. The precious contents of that bag were also—though he purposefully did not mention it to anyone—the single most important reason he never once considered giving himself in to the Vahki, and also the "donation" to which the archivist Atamai had earlier referred. Stannis had come to Metru Nui as a historian and teacher, and as such chose not to directly engage in hostility against any sentient being. That is, until Vyarik said his last sentence. In that instant, Vyarik became a credible threat to Stannis' prerogative on Metru Nui, as any Dark Hunter who worked in the city was a danger to Turaga Dume. And there was no arguing with Vyarik—he would not heed pleadings of mercy or cast aside of his bloodshed ways, nor would his pride allow him to consider anything besides a dogged persistence at achieving his contract, as his statement in front of Stannis a moment before confirmed. Words slid off his mind like water on wax, and there was only one way Stannis could stop Vyarik from attempting another mission. "Hunter, I told you, I will deny you the taking of even a single life on Metru Nui," Stannis scolded, his pearly eyes glowing with the same brilliant intensity Vyarik had seen right before he was banished from the Taku's hold with the snap of Stannis' fingers. "Not mine, not my friends', and not Turaga Dume's." He raised a hand, and suddenly a burst of energy bright like a solar flare lanced from his palm to Vyarik and arced in a cone before Stannis. Anyone there who looked in his direction with unprotected eyes, either Vyarik or the others in the transport, would very well be blinded—if not stunned—by the attack. Finally, the assembled companies would witness the famed Wanderer fighting for a cause again.

IC [Southern Central Chute Hub near Coliseum]: She arrived via the southern chute hub adjacent to the coliseum, one of the six massive transport stations surrounding the center of Metru Nui. A seemingly endless stream of Matoran, Toa and other beings passed through the network here, dropping in and out of the silvery tubes, passing through check gates, carrying goods and luggage, criss-crossing each others paths, avoiding collisions while trying to make the best time possible to their destinations. A beehive of activity. Voices echoed across the wide space between transfer points continuously providing up to date information, announcing areas of increased traffic via tannoy systems, suggesting detours and alternate routes to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Like blood through a body, the traveling mass of beings kept the city of legends alive. All under the watchful eye of ever-present Vahki enforcers, some in biped, others in arachnid configuration. But not every part of the crowd was moving. Some had time to linger, chatting, eating at one of the venues scattered about - but most were hovering around the public broadcast systems, whether it was one of the oversize projectors or a loudspeaker to just listen to the news. Scenes of mayhem played on loop across the streets. The aftermath of an attack in Ta-Metru, burning ruins; shambling figures on the prowl, silhouetted in smoke. Vahki, Toa and other warriors fighting, both there and elsewhere in the city. And footage of the sky they just needed to look up to see themselves. A murmur went through the crowd as the newcomer made her way through, to get a better view of the screen they’re gathered about. Skakdi, Vortixx and others not native to the city were so common these days, they hardly warranted a turn of the head. But the intimidating, dark, hooded figure towering several heads above even these tall beings definitely did. Where the light hit the seemingly black armor, iridescent reflections played across its lines, where not obscured by the sleeveless tech-wear coat wrapped around her torso. Carrier straps hung loosely from its attachment points, slightly jingling with every step. Slung diagonally across her back was a narrow, wrapped object, longer than a Toa was tall. And slung in the opposite direction, a heavy duffel bag. The crowd parted around her, creating a bubble that moved as she did. The bystanders were caught in a dilemma, between curiosity and nervousness: They wanted to look, to learn more and talk about her, but were too worried about her reaction. Especially with the actions of other powerful beings on repeat display all around them. So they resigned themselves to hushed whispers and stolen glances. Which suited her just fine. She paid them no mind. What she needed, was information.There were plenty of rumors about what was happening in the metropolis of course, but nothing could beat some old-fashioned journalism with integrity and sensationalist imagery in this case. The crowd around her watched the footage impassively, but she knew the difference between actual normalcy and the veneer of it on display before her. They were concerned. A small grin played across her face. Fortuitous timing. If the league and hunters think they're the only ones playing for power, they are sorely mistaken. Yes...this city needs help - and it will have it. For a price. Then, the cyclical newsreel got interrupted. In its place, a larger-than-life image of a Turaga appeared. Where there had only been pockets of stillness in the beehive of activity before, the entire crowd now froze in its tracks. The giant visage of Dume stared at all and none of them for a moment, before opening its mouth: "Brave citizens of Metru-Nui, I am here. I see your determination in the face of chaos and terror and I am proud to call you my people. Ta-Metru will soon be in containment, and those who still linger beyond their destined time will be treated with dignity as they are laid to rest. I grieve as you grieve, and let us mourn together how little the League of Six truly value innocent lives. "Some days ago I began a search for the Great Discs of Metru-Nui. I offered those who wish to protect this city a chance to prove themselves. Well heroes in the making, your time has come. Bring the Great Discs. Become the heroes we need to continue to defend our shores. In the texts of faith, remember it says night is darkest before dawn. I say we are close to dawn on a new age, an age of beauty and art and freedom from the tyranny and violence of the League menace. Be strong, hold to your faith. I am with you." You’re not the only one. And if there’s to be a new age, you can rest assured I will make my mark upon it. She studied the Turaga’s digital features closely, before turning away from the screen, pushing past gawking Matoran and moving over to the chute access gates.If finding the disks was the way to gain favor in this city, she needed to know if there were any left to be found. And where better to start than to find the people who found them instead - a far easier prospect than finding the disks themselves. And if they had found them all already…- but that was something she would deal with later if necessary. As she reached the transfer gates, a buzzing alarm accompanied by flashing lights interrupted her thoughts. Several nearby Vahki immediately descended on her, blocking her path. The lead unit rose to its full possible height. It still had to crane its neck. “Halt. Unregistered access to chutes is prohibited. Identify.” This is what I get for getting off at a proper stop. Of course Dume wants to keep tabs on everyone in his little dominion. Fine. “Zataka. I am here to help.” OOC: Hello there! Zataka open for interaction. @Crimson Jester

IC: Waveahk (Po-Metru, Sculpture Fields, Vahki Transport) Waveahk also received the exact same update... curiously, 'Ghost' did not. "So... where's your tablet?" He whispered to him. "Because I refuse to call it an 'iStone', that name is ridiculous."

IC Stannis | Po "We are doing exactly what Turaga Dume requested: Finding and delivering the Great Discs," Stannis ventured to say. "And I am not guilty. I am not even wanted. If I was, your shiny vahki transport would be manned by clockwork automaton police, but instead it just has... you. And if you served law and order you would have given up long ago, but instead here you are to carry out your petty vendetta because the laws—and Dume—mean nothing to you. "Only your grudge does."

No, those aren't the ones. They're a custom part for sure, but not these.

Flickr | Instagram

Happy Monday! Hey everyone, welcome to March! Just a reminder this game is over on March 31st, 2020. Plan to spend the last week of March trying to wrap up loose ends, but think about what you one thing you desperately want your characters to accomplish and go for that. The last day of February saw the reveal of the fourth in-game faction: The Untethered. While there are many interesting things already known about this strange faction, please know the larger it becomes the more powers will be unlocked. As of yet, we have yet to see their “final form.” The Dark Hunter network had an update today and is no longer compromised. Until further notice Dark Hunters will return to receiving hits as they originally did. While things may seem like they couldn't get zanier, there is still more in the wild rush of SKE. We'll be burning the nitro starting soon. Love you all <3, UN Dark Hunter Hit: Kill Dume. What happened last week in SKE? The Ripple Mazor played with the silver puzzle cube more, resulting in a double eclipse in the sky which cast the known universe into an eerie darkness. The crew wrestled with their emotions post escape from the island with the grotto. Silver Sea Metru-Nui vs Kal, the throwdown continued Kal freed Thom, who rushed away from the battle Barraki Takadox inspired Amartakonen to kill Barraki Carapar during the planned final assault on Metru-Nui. Metru-Nui Okuo and Kovac helped Vhisola evade a new Dark Hunter threat. She chose to hide out at the Great Temple and gather more information about the Great Disc hidden somewhere near there. Taja visited Nixie to discuss the changes in the stars Ta-Metru Disc Hunters snuck onto the conveyor belts heading into the Great Furnace Odd Squad and Wanderers Inc. reached the second step in the Po-Metru Great Disc Puzzle, but were halted in their quest by Vyarik and the Brute Squad. Le-Metru Disc Puzzle team succeeded! See the breakdown on the Le-Metru puzzles. Turaga Nidhiki is loose in Metru-Nui. Welcome Zataka, Queen of Techwear

This actually looks like it should go in Fan-Created Media.

I mean—a hit was literally declared on Dume so it's fair to say the alliance is at an end.

IC Stan | Po ... Stannis waited. ... And he waited. ... But he tired of the game, the back and forth with . Wisdom and truth would not seep through Vyarik's armor because, as he suspected, the Hunter was there only out of desperation, guided by a wounded pride in need of soothing and little else. Nothing but soul shattering defeat or jubilant triumph would sate him, and Stannis was not going to give the Hunter what he craved. There was no Vahki response, and there were not even chirps from the iStone of any response, only a silent rejection. "Reinforcements are not coming. They do not care. It is as I told you in the alleyway—there is more afoot in the City of Legends than either of us know. You and the other Hunter created the disaster in Onu-Metru by fomenting lies and mistruth in order to have me arrested so that you may easily dispatch me, and back then that may have even been wise but your blindness has brought you here, almost alone and in the middle of the desert where nobody who might hear your screams will come to your aid. "You want to arrest me?" With a flourish he threw back his cloak over a shoulder and tossed his spear to the sand, giving the challenge to Vyarik. Many Hunters had attempted to take Stannis before, and the fact that none had ever succeeded bolstered the old toa's self-assuredness. It was not cockiness, it was well-earned reality. "Come and take me, if you can."

IC: Reliable Narrator It was at that moment Vyarik knew the update had completed on his Dark Hunter iStone. The network was no longer compromised.

IC: Vyarik - Po-Metru "Not guilty?" Vyarik sputtered, disbelief and rage roiling within him. He'd always prided himself on his confidence, but the sheer arrogance of this Toa beggared belief, "You and your friends destroy swathes of Vahki, lay waste to an airship dock, then have the gall to proclaim you're innocent?" He pulled out his iStone, hoping the Vahki were still monitoring the compromised network, "The Vahki couldn't spare units to search the sculpture fields themselves on my suspicions alone, which is why they gave us this transport. But now that we've found you, I'm more than happy to summon the Vahki here." Rogue Toa Stannis and companions located in Po-Metru Sculpture Fields, he began to type, adding in approximate directions to their location, Vahki support requested at my location to aid in apprehension of targets.

IC: Reliable Narrator | The Ripple The pilot of The Ripple followed his Captain's orders, flying the airship quickly through the eternal night of the eclipse. He'd never seen an solar eclipse until today, and to see a double solar eclipse left him both awed and terrified. He checked the readings at his station and felt safe in their flight in case of another pirate ambush, but nothing happened on the journey home to the island of the Barraki warlords. Barraki Carapar met them all as they departed the vessel, his chin raised proudly. "Did you find the vessel?" He asked. Skorm awoke from a nightmare as The Ripple arrived at Port. In it, his sense of self washed away into a plane of nothingness -- no light, no shadow, Nothing. But even the Nothing was Something, a violent merging, greeting, assimilation, and rejection of anything. He felt stuck between the moments on a clock, trapped between reality where nothing should exist. He stood on a beach, sensations of sound and surf washing over him. He stood wreathed in flame, the vaguest outline of a tall spire peaking through smoke and screams. He woke drenched in sweat with a name on his tongue. Who was Nuju, and why did Skorm care? IC: Nixie | Ga-Metru, Great Temple "Oh hello!" Nixie said, startled. "Hello toa-hero, of course you're welcome let me just move here, uh no there, uh no here -- hi. What's your name?"

IC, Atamai: Po-Metru I had a feeling that there was a real possibility of a fight breaking out right before my eyes. I was also sure that Vashni would end up getting involved. I tapped her to get her attention. When she looked down at me I pointed to my forehead. The meaning of the gesture was simple: read my mind. Vashni, let me have the Great Disk. If the Dark Hunter does end up attacking us, I don't want it to fall into his hands. OOC: @Snelly IC, Kohara: Ga-Metru Kohara reached the Great Temple, its outline against the strange sky almost ominous. When she arrived she asked several of the Matoran if they had any idea of the Great Disk's whereabouts. They all pointed her to the same Matoran: Nixie. After going up several flights of stairs, Kohara reached her destination. As she approached, she heard two voices discussing star readings. The door was open; inside, there were two Matoran. A Ga-Matoran who Kohara presumed was Nixie and a De-Matoran. Kohara bent down a little and knocked gently on the doorframe. "Pardon the intrusion, but were you discussing the stars?" OOC: @Eyru @Unreliable Narrator Hope y'all don't mind me joining your conversation.

If you’re thinking like the Sonic The Hedgehog movie, I’m in for it, as long as there is a good amount of budget. I don’t know about the technology, but what I do know is that the videos are made by Ghost Animation.

IC: Vyarik - Po-Metru. "There's no need for fighting," Vyarik assured Jabali, fighting the urge to retort to Stannis' insults with equally petty jibes of his own, "If the guilty parties agree to surrender peacefully, I'm sure collateral damage can be avoided." He gestured vaguely to their surroundings, "We have no desire to intrude upon... whatever it is you're all doing out here. All we ask for is cooperation, or at the very least, non-interference, in apprehending these criminals." Criminals who had, so far, made no real effort to deny or explain their crimes. The fact that anyone was still willing to consider taking their side when they had made no attempt to defend themselves, when the city had just witnessed numerous high-profile Toa arrests, and the ranks of the League were bristling with rogue Toa, irritated Vyarik to no end. Was wielding an element and flaunting a reputation truly all it took to sway the minds of the masses? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ IC: Sidra - Ta-Metru A lone nektann drone scuttled amongst the wreckage, trailing Othorak's movement from a safe distance as he turned away from the slaughter he had caused and began to shamble towards the city centre. As Raz stepped out into his path to confront him, a darkened crevice in the wreckage beside the nektann rippled as Sidra emerged, her rhotuka launcher already raised at the ready in her uninjured hand. Unlike Raz, she didn't bother announcing her presence or trying to reason with Othorak. She'd held back before, and he had caused all of this carnage. There were no second chances this time. So, without a word, she loosed a rhotuka at Othorak's head.

Don’t forget the Turaga in 2001. They don’t have ball-and-socket joints, either.

They're a custom part; I believe they're on Shapeways.

There is now one (1) acceptable humanized Bonk.

IC: Idlyx Haeve - Ga-Metru Too close. The Kekamaire moved back, but his lack of agility and Kovac being so near meant that the blunt-edged sword connected with his chin, and electrocuted the Hunter who stumbled backwards, falling to the ground. He convulsed once, then chuckled, staring up at the permanent midnight. "Wonderful,"--a cough--"wonderful..." Idlyx sat up, rubbing his jaw, apparently making sure it was still in place. "You're good, Toa. But this has eaten up so much of my precious time, and time...is not something we all have. That Ga-Matoran you helped escape? Her time should have been up long ago, you know. But not everyone is as good at this job as I am." He slowly got to his feet, groaning as if he was having difficulty, and continued with, "All it would have taken was a weaken Kanoka to her small frame and...well, I don't need to bore you with details, do I?" The Kekamaire was now at full height again, looking down on Kovac with a blank expression. He knew this kind of talk would just anger the Toa. "I would've liked killing her." IC: The Swordsman - Ta-Metru I responded to Zecrillia with a grunt and then attempted to follow the Vortixx. She boarded one of the carts before I could catch up, the horde slowing me down and grabbing at my cloak. Mata Nui-forsaken-- Frustrated, I cried out and swung my blade in a half-circle, watching as twisted bodies were cut in twain by protosteel. I looked up at my Vortixx companion as the conveyor moved forward, my dark expression hopefully indicating my thoughts: Wait for me, unless you want to burn in there.

What an engaging blog entry

Man, I wish I had gotten paid.

The Ninjago sets are mostly great, however the story started going downhill for me after Zane became a robot. I wish they had stuck to a Japanese fantasy theme with mystical elements and not the Power Rangers theme that we have now.

nope! he did it out of his genuine passion for bionicle and the community. The comics he wasn't really paid for either (it was folded into his main job as the lego magazine editor, and my understanding is that was with no extra pay) and the novels were freelance he did in his off time for Scholastic. whether or not you like his writing style, the dude was dedicated.

The more hindsight I have, the more I've gained a distaste for the Piraka. I don't mind prefab torsos and the Inika torso is incredibly versatile, but the Piraka torso is hard to use, doesn't have many connection points, juts out at weird angles in certain places, and largely only came in metallic colors, which limits it use in MOCing. The spines were a neat idea but limited arm and head poses, the big feet on half of them were just odd, and why did they have to have arms of two different sizes? Is there some T-Rex blood in their families? Plus Avak's head never worked right and that always upset me.