bionicle Why do Ta-matorans make masks?

[StinkyBadger]

I was wondering why do Ta-matorans in Ta-metru make mask? Because they cant use their power. I know that without them they would die, but why do they make more? Or is it for replacement if someone's mask brokes?

Edited February 25, 2020 by ToaNuparu07

[StinkyBadger]

9 minutes ago, ToaNuparu07 said:

I made this one to celebrat Ninjago

[ToaDume]

2 hours ago, ToaNuparu07 said:

I was wondering why do Ta-matorans in Ta-metru make mask? Because they cant use their power. I know that without them they would die, but why do they make more? Or is it for replacement if someone's mask brokes?

I think the great beings programmed them with certain duties. The masks are likely for new matoran or if one breaks. Some masks are also meant just in case the toa of destiny need them. But ultimately, I think it’s just their programming as their duty in the universe.

[StinkyBadger]

15 minutes ago, ToaDume said:

I think the great beings programmed them with certain duties. The masks are likely for new matoran or if one breaks. Some masks are also meant just in case the toa of destiny need them. But ultimately, I think it’s just their programming as their duty in the universe.

Sounds logical 

[MoarBotar]

It could be some form of artistic expression or scientific research-like how Vakama was trying to create the Mask of Time (figure out how to make better/new types of masks). 

[StinkyBadger]

1 minute ago, MoarBotar said:

It could be some form of artistic expression or scientific research-like how Vakama was trying to create the Mask of Time (figure out how to make better/new types of masks). 

Yeah. Cool artwork by the way

[MoarBotar]

9 minutes ago, ToaNuparu07 said:

Yeah. Cool artwork by the way

Thanks-pulled it from The Art of Bionicle pdf (from biosector)

[Sir Keksalot]

I always assumed it was because Ta-Matoran like heat, which is needed for smithing, so it was just a natural progression from the environments they like.

2 hours ago, ToaNuparu07 said:

I made this one to celebrat Ninjago

What...is this post?

[StinkyBadger]

49 minutes ago, Sir Keksalot said:

I always assumed it was because Ta-Matoran like heat, which is needed for smithing, so it was just a natural progression from the environments they like.

What...is this post?

No, thats another thing, I messed up, and wrote it the wrong place...

[MoarBotar]

1 hour ago, Sir Keksalot said:

I always assumed it was because Ta-Matoran like heat, which is needed for smithing, so it was just a natural progression from the environments they like.

 

Interesting-can my life work that way? XD

[StinkyBadger]

12 hours ago, MoarBotar said:

 

Interesting-can my life work that way? XD

At least, ta-matorans can do what they like. Mask-making is surely a dream job. 

[Xboxtravis]

Its possible that Ta Matoran are the only Matoran designed to withstand working in mass production of masks. 

We know Ta Metru wasn't the only mask production site. Arthatka produced some masks like the Nuva masks, and we know the MU has more mask powers than the 12 Ta Metru seemed to predominantly produce. But those were much rarer than the classic Ta Metru styles, which leads me to believe their production was more artisanal/craftsman style. In comparison I imagine Ta Metru was a near constant factory churning out mask after mask to be shipped out to the rest of the Universe. 

Ever seen a functional steel mill or copper smelter vs a small craftsman forge? One can fit in a garage and be done at home on a small scale. The other are massive plants of fire and pollution, massive hills of slag and toxic materials. They're rough and dangerous places for humans to work at. But a cyborg designed to be so heat resilient it can surf lava? Sounds like the perfect place for them. 

So its not that Ta Matoran can "only" become mask makers, I am sure any Matoran could learn the skill on a craftsman level. It's that Ta Matoran are the only ones capable of working comfortably in a city district devoted entirely to mask production!

[X-Ray]

On 2/26/2020 at 12:58 PM, Xboxtravis said:

Its possible that Ta Matoran are the only Matoran designed to withstand working in mass production of masks. 

We know Ta Metru wasn't the only mask production site. Arthatka produced some masks like the Nuva masks, and we know the MU has more mask powers than the 12 Ta Metru seemed to predominantly produce. But those were much rarer than the classic Ta Metru styles, which leads me to believe their production was more artisanal/craftsman style. In comparison I imagine Ta Metru was a near constant factory churning out mask after mask to be shipped out to the rest of the Universe. 

Ever seen a functional steel mill or copper smelter vs a small craftsman forge? One can fit in a garage and be done at home on a small scale. The other are massive plants of fire and pollution, massive hills of slag and toxic materials. They're rough and dangerous places for humans to work at. But a cyborg designed to be so heat resilient it can surf lava? Sounds like the perfect place for them. 

So its not that Ta Matoran can "only" become mask makers, I am sure any Matoran could learn the skill on a craftsman level. It's that Ta Matoran are the only ones capable of working comfortably in a city district devoted entirely to mask production!

This makes a lot of sense. I would imagine that commerce would be a major reason that the Ta-Matoran of Metru Nui would engage in mask-making on a large scale. Perhaps masks forged in Metru Nui were renowned for their high quality, similar to how Cashmere clothing is known for it's high quality in our world. Perhaps Vakama was a highly-skilled specialist, which is why Dume/Makuta commissioned him to try and forge the Mask of Time.

The physical attributes of Ta-Matoran making them more adept at working in rough conditions is also an intriguing line of thought. The Ta-Koro guard on Mata Nui were pretty tough and hardy, to the point of being the premier military organization on the island. Maybe on Metru Nui, the Ta-Matoran were known for such toughness and hardiness, which also made them adept at other physically demanding jobs, such as, say, construction or welding. Perhaps they worked with Le-Matoran (known for having technical know-how in regards to heavy machinery) on large engineering projects. Perhaps such a collaboration was was what made Metru Nui such a cool city. First is unity, after all. :-)

Cheers,

X-Ray 

[Xboxtravis]

I kind of like the idea that Ta-Metru was mass producing 12 masks too, because it explains away a Legends of Metru-Nui plothole. Why does Vakama, a mask maker never recognize his mask power until the end of the film? If he never had seen a Great Huna in his life though before because Ta-Metru only built Noble Huna's en-mass. It would explain a lot.

Edited February 28, 2020 by Xboxtravis

[Aderia]

I always liked this tidbit from one of the chapters in Time Trap (thanks Biological Chronicle Project for the screencap). I like the level of prestige and expertise it indicates is needed for someone to become a renowned mask maker, like Vakama. 

On 2/26/2020 at 3:58 PM, Xboxtravis said:

It's that Ta Matoran are the only ones capable of working comfortably in a city district devoted entirely to mask production!

Agree, I also think Plasma Matoran would be well suited to forge/foundry work, since they also have heat-resistance (greater than Ta-Matoran, I believe?). Perhaps even moreso, as BS01 states their eyes are naturally resistant to bright lights, which also sounds useful for that kind of work. 

[Xboxtravis]

*Stuffs Turaga Vakama into my jacket pocket for my next engineering test*

"You're going to help me pass this test my little mathematician..."