Official Greg Discussion, For the Answers from your GregF PMs Options

[Toa of Resumptio...]

Greg doesn't look at this topic you'll have to PM him

Greg isn't in marketing, either; all he can say (and has said) is that the official release date is August.

[Cederak]

I understand that Brutaka once guarded the temple of life. Is this temple below Voya Nui's surface, or somewhere the storyline hsn't gone yet?

-Ced

That reference comes from an outdated version of the story bible -- there is no temple of life.

I didn't know that, and maybe other BZPers didn't either.

-Ced

[lumi]

Here are some other questions thanks in advance!

1) What happened to Takua's Pakari when he transformed?

2)Seeing as the Toa are more then 95.000 years old are their Kanohi NOT made out of Kanoka?

3)Is the mask of elemental powers considered as a great mask?

4)IF the Oomn transported the Kanohi Nuva to Mata Nui would it be mentioned in the atlas?

those are all exept those i keep forgetting and remember as soon as i sent the message again thanks in advance

P.S Is there a chance there will be ever books translated into Dutch??

1) Most likely it ceased to exist
2) The original Toa? Probably not
3) Yes
4) Not necessarily
5) That is up to Scholastic. For the books to be published outside the US, Scholastic has to make a deal with a local publisher to do so (as they did with Harper Collins in the UK). LEGO has nothing to do with it.

[Nittany Nuva]

2)Seeing as the Toa are more then 95.000 years old are their Kanohi NOT made out of Kanoka?

2) The original Toa? Probably not

Is Greg referring to the Toa Olda as the "original" Toa because they were the first in the Bionicle storyline, or because they were the first Toa in existance? I didn't know if he had ever confirmed or not if Tahu and co. were THE very first Toa to be created in history.

This post has been edited by exometru: Jul 10 2006, 10:05 PM

[lumi]

Is he referring to the Toa Olda as the "original" Toa because they were the first in the Bionicle storyline, or because they were the first Toa in existance? I didn't know if he had ever confirmed or not if Tahu and co. were THE very first Toa to be created in history.

I ment the olda just as the toa olda forgot to put the olda into toa olda

[Waspinator]

Some news on some Dark Hunters.

1. Are "Firedracax" and "Amphibax" real names or code names?
2. Since there is Toa Jovan, is there a second Inika combiner?
3. Does Toa Jovan look like a Toa Inika, or a big Kaita-ish look.

1) Real names
2) Not yet, no
3) I don't think he looks too kaita-ish

[Zahd]

Alrighty:

-- Me again. Back with some questions!

• Can the ignika withdraw/take the life of a great being?
• Can we expect Bionicle to be around until 2010?
• Though we know that you cannot give information on the sets of 2007 themselves, do you know when the first few will be released?
• Seeing that plants are on the Bionicle world, are there any "animals" ?
• Are the orignial toa (tahu,lewa,etc.) native to mata-nui ?
• Will the storyline go back to the original toa ever again?

thank you in advance! (After reading your blog, I litteraly cant wait for the 2007 sets!)

1) Since I do not want to discuss the nature of the Great Beings, I can't answer this
2) That depends completely on you and people like you -- if the sets keep selling, BIONICLE will stay around. If they stop selling well, LEGO will shut it down.
3) January 2007
4) All the Rahi are animals
5) No, no one is native to Mata Nui
6) As a focus? Only if they sets are re-released at some point. Story has to focus on current sets, because it exists to promote awareness of the sets

I quite happy that the sets will be released on January, it means I can get one for my brithday!

[Cheesy Mac n Che...]

2. Since there is Toa Jovan, is there a second Inika combiner?
2) Not yet, no

Interesting...not yet...does this mean there will be another three-way Inika Combiner?

Also, I have have some questions answered from GregF, and some important news about the Voya Nui Online Game!

I have some questions:

1.Will the island of Mata Nui have any further importance?
2.I remember reading that you would write bios for the Piraka Combiners. I know they aren't in the story, but you wrote bios for the Dagger Spider and the Lava Hawk, and neither are they. Could you write bios for the Combiners?
3.Have any Turaga joined the Dark Hunters?
4.Was Zaktan's body always made of Protodites, and the Shadowed One just phyically separated them? Or did the Shadowed One actually convert Zaktan's substance into Protodites?
5.Are there any other members of the Piraka's species in the Dark Hunters?
6.Will any of the Fan-Created Dark Hunters featured in the Guide be featured in future story?
7.Do you know the Shadowed One's real name?
8.Who wrote the story for Tales of the Tohunga/Quest for the Toa?
Would you consider it canonical?
9.Who wrote the story for MNOLG?
Would you consider it canonical?
10.Who wrote the story for MNOLG2?
Would you consider it canonical?
11.Who wrote the story for the Voya Nui Online Game?
Would you consider it canonical?
12.How many times can a being be defused into two beings by Vezon's Spear of Fusion?
13.If Vezon defused Prototype, would the two Toa still be loyal to the Dark Hunters, go wild like Rahi, become good again, or become completely robotic?
14.Could Keetongu save the Hordika Dragons?
How about Savage?

Thanks!

-Kraahkan-User3000


1) Nothing planned for it at the moment, beyond an appearance in the Atlas next year
2) I haven't had time, my writing schedule is just too tight
3) No
4) The latter
5) Quite possibly, yes
6) Yes, some show up in BIONICLE Legends #4
7) Yes
8) No idea, that game was produced before I came to work at LEGO
9-10) I had nothing to do with the online games. Most of it is considered canon -- the major events -- but some of the minor things, like taxi crabs, are not. Also neither game was ever approved by the story team.
11) I have not seen really anything of the VNOLG, but I can tell you it does not and was not intended to match the 2006 storyline (originally, it was supposed to be up and done with so long before the end of the year that if we went with the actual story on it, then we would have blown the ending already). So no, it will not be canon.
13) Probably until there is not enough mass left to exist in our universe
14) Probably has a lot to do with what they were look like before they were fused and what condition their sanity is in now
15) Yes on Hordika dragons, and yes on Savage

So there you have it, the Voya Nui Online Game is not canonical!

-Kraahkan-User3000

This post has been edited by kraahkan-user3000: Jul 10 2006, 06:02 PM

[The Shadowed One]

Not much in terms of Bionicle, but it tells us something we can expect NOT to happen.

Hope you can answer some of these (they're kinda mix-n-match).

1.) You said you know the Shadowed One's real name. Does this mean there are plans to release it in the future?

2.) If so, could you project when? (You can probably tell I have a fascination with the character.)

3.) Do you have any news as to whether or not Batman will continue next year? With all the basic vehicles, villains, Batcave, and Arkham already out, it seems like TLC was trying to cover everything in one year.

4.) In one of the online Exo-Force comics I think Meca One makes some sort of mention to his "private machine." Is that where the Bridge Walker set comes into play this year?

Thanks!

1) No. But I have to know everything, whether we are sharing it with you guys or not
2) Nope
3) I don't have info on this yet, but I certainly hope it will, and I know it is selling well
4) Yes

[Zahd]

could people acctually add the "quotes" from Gregf? I fail to belive anything with out the quotes.

EDIT (here are add ons to the answers) :

-- Me again. Back with some questions!

• Can the ignika withdraw/take the life of a great being?
• Can we expect Bionicle to be around until 2010?
• Though we know that you cannot give information on the sets of 2007 themselves, do you know when the first few will be released?
• Seeing that plants are on the Bionicle world, are there any "animals" ?
• Are the orignial toa (tahu,lewa,etc.) native to mata-nui ?
• Will the storyline go back to the original toa ever again?

thank you in advance! (After reading your blog, I litteraly cant wait for the 2007 sets!)

1) Since I do not want to discuss the nature of the Great Beings, I can't answer this
2) That depends completely on you and people like you -- if the sets keep selling, BIONICLE will stay around. If they stop selling well, LEGO will shut it down.
3) January 2007
4) All the Rahi are animals
5) No, no one is native to Mata Nui
6) As a focus? Only if they sets are re-released at some point. Story has to focus on current sets, because it exists to promote awareness of the sets

Indeed, can you tell us if they will be large sets (ex. piraka/toa/hordika) or smaller sets (ex. Matoran)?

Also, when you say that Rahi are animals, do you also mean that they are capable of reproduction?

Finally, is it possible that the original toa will be released in "re-vamped" versions?

1) What are you referring to?
2) No. There is no biological reproduction for any species in BIONICLE.
3) Anything is possible, but I do not see the Nuva being re-released for some years, unless story and product line plans change radically. At this point, the Nuva were just on the shelves three years ago, that's a blink of an eye to toy retailers.

If you are talking original 2001 Toa, answer's no -- they will never be in that form again, or in the storyline as their pre-Nuva selves, so no point in putting them out.

Greg

1.) I am reffering to the January 2007 sets. Will they be large or small?

Same set-up it always is -- six canister sets and then a few smaller sets. We don't do big sets until summer.

Well, that weird. 0_o how can an animal be an animal without the ability to reproduce? Didn't it say in one of the books about some rahi being a mother or having a mother?

This post has been edited by umbreot: Jul 11 2006, 09:38 AM

[Barraki =BK=]

Well, that weird. 0_o how can an animal be an animal without the ability to reproduce? Didn't it say in one of the books about some rahi being a mother or having a mother?

It was in Bionicle Chronicles #1. It was talking about Lewa accidentaly knocking a baby chick out of it's nest.
The reason for this-- C.A. Hapka didn't know everything about BIONICLE and evidently did not realize that reproduction isn't in BIONICLE.
Just a lack of knowledge was all it was.
As Greg stated, there is no biological reproduction, just a mistake on the author's part.

[Cheesy Mac n Che...]

I remember when I read BA7, the Toa Metru encountered and rescued Graalok the Ash Bear when she was "young". Also, I remember seeing the word "mother" and BL3, and both of those books were written by Greg Farshtey. And yes, I have known that there is no biological reproduction in Bionicle for some time now.

-Kraahkan-User3000

This post has been edited by kraahkan-user3000: Jul 11 2006, 11:57 AM

[Rho]

Message Forwarded From GregF

Hi, here are some Questions

1.Will there be any Alpha Team in 2007 or later?
2.Do you know if there will ever be Lego Baseball Sets?
3.Can you tell us what caused the Matoran Civil War?
4.Was Dume a Toa on Metru Nui?
5.When Dume was appointed Turaga, were any other Memebrs of his team alive?
6.Is there any plan to release a Toa Nidhiki and other Members of Lihkan's team at some point?
7.Could the Lightning that transformed the Toa Inika have some substance related to Visorak Venom in it? No Venom specifically, but something related to it tha caused the Organic Masks and Stuff.
8.Could Mata Nui have been the Land Mass Voya Nui Broke off Of?
9.Will there be any Rahkshi in BL #5?
10.Which of the Inika would you say is the Wisest?
11. Will there be any Contests soon that are like the Rahi and DH Contests?
12.Will there be a Toa Team Guide Ever?
13.Can you tell us what type of creature the Returning Hero is?
14.Will Takanuva and the Toa Nuva be playing any future roles in the story?
15.Do you know when VNOLG is coming out?
16.What would happen if Mata Nui awoke and found out about Brutaka's actions? (By that, i mean Brutaka betraying him and siding with the Piraka)
17.When should we expect the July/August US Lego Magazine to come out?
18.How will The Inika get the Ignika if It's on Vezon's head?
19.When you say the Piraka will be in future storyline in "some formn", could this mean they are transformed?
20.How do you say Vakama would feel about Jaller being a Toa? The other Turaga about the other Inika? Dume?
21.How will the Toa Nuva react when they meet the Inika?
22.How would they feel?
23. Okay, I have EXTREME doubts, but can you give us a BL #4 or #5 quote? It's okay if you can't
24.Is Nuju going to begin speaking Matoran?
25. Were Axonn and Brutaka ever Toa?

Thank you for your time and awnsers

-Hunter Nuva

1) Not in '07, I have no idea what might be planned for beyond that.
2) Have not heard anything about that
3) If I wanted you to know that, it would be in the timeline
4) Probably not
5) Yes
6) No. We don't have any flashback stories planned, and if characters are not going to be a focus of the story, there is no point in doing sets of them.
7) Not to my knowledge
8) Oh, no, absolutely not. Read the description -- Voya Nui broke off and shot UP -- it is south of Mata Nui, not up from Mata Nui (up from Mata Nui is the sky)
9) Read it and find out
10) Jaller, Matoro or Hahli
11) There will be another building contest soon, but it will not be tied to a Scholastic book.
12) Nothing planned for that right now, simply because all the info on the Toa is beaten to death in the comic, on the web, in the magazine, there is really nothing new to say in the guide.
13) No
14) I would assume so, since the Toa Nuva are destined to awaken Mata Nui.
15) No, I have nothing to do with the web site, that is handled in Denmark
16) Mata Nui is on such a massive power scale, and so far above the average BIONICLE character, that the actions of an individual like Brutaka won't be his concern. That is what the OOMN is for, to take care of things like that.
17) Next week
18) Follow the story and find out
19) See answer to #18
20) Depends. If the Inika save the universe, they'll be thrilled. If they don't, their opinions won't matter.
21) See answer to #18
22) You just asked this
23) I really have no time to go quote searching. Quotes from these books were already given out weeks ago and are on BZP, so you will have to be content with those.
24) No. Nuju is going to train another Matoran to know Rahi language. His reasons for speaking that language have not changed.
25) No. The cycle goes Matoran-Toa-Turaga, you can't turn into something else in the meantime, and Brutaka and Axonn are way more powerful than Toa are.

[Nittany Nuva]

I remember when I read BA7, the Toa Metru encountered and rescued Graalok the Ash Bear when she was "young". Also, I remember seeing the word "mother" and BL3, and both of those books were written by Greg Farshtey. And yes, I have known that there is no biological reproduction in Bionicle for some time now.

Sure beings can be young. They have to come into existance sometime, right? It's just not by means of birth. Makuta is old. The Shadowed One is old. Karzahni is ancient. Why would you be okay considering them old, but not considering Graalok young? Also, words like brother, sister and mother are metaphorical terms for individuals who work together or are close to each other.

[Toa fofo nuva]

hi,

well i have a question, do rahi eat smaller rahi?

thankes

TFE

Toa fofo nuva

Yes, just as animals in our world do.

- gregf

about the toa nuva:

if the toa nuva became turaga do they became something like turaga nuva?

about the toa inika:

can the inika just control lighting or their elements are always fused?

thanks

Tfn

1) Yes
2) Always fused

Gregf

mmm interesting

[Zahd]

Toa fofo nuva

- gregf
Tfn
Gregf

mmm interesting

nothing new there, and please add quotes next time.

[Fivrik Toa of Bu...]

nothing new there, and please add quotes next time.

Ummm, umbrot, he did. For some reason, when you quote someone using quotes, their quotes don't show up, and so you have to find the quotes and insert them yourself.

[Toaraga]

For some reason, when you quote someone using quotes, their quotes don't show up, and so you have to find the quotes and insert them yourself.

It's called "Stop Quote Embedding," and it's a board feature that's turned on.

That thing about lightning and elements is pretty much answered in Power Play.

I see Greg's changed his "Can't answer that" replies to "Follow the story and find out."

©1984-2006 Toaraga EAM

[Fatoran]

Heyo Greg. Just a couple of quick ones tonight if it's ok.

1) So I'm assuming by the end of this story arc we'll have one less Toa in one group (or perhaps a lone Toa). But a death is inevitable, yes?

2) Have you ever considered/ could you forsee a time where BIONICLE has it's own expanded universe style series, where other writers can create their own side stories that either take place after/ before/ during storylines but wouldn't really affect the main story? It'd be a great way to get more people involved, but of course there is the risk that stories could overlap, too powerful/ contradictary characters could be created etc.
But I would like to take an opportunity of something like this. The concept of writing side stories for BIONICLE would be one that any fan with good writing abilities would love to take, I'm sure. Could you ever see it happening/ want to?

1) We have not decided who will be wearing the Mask, so it's not something I can discuss.
2) Not off the top of my head beyond unofficial fan fiction, mainly for two reasons. One, stories have to focus on existing sets because that is what the story exists to promote. And two, there aren't any fans who actually understand how this universe works, or why, or what the story is really all about -- so they could write a great story that we can't use because they got something wrong through no fault of their own, and I wouldn't be able to correct them without ruining the next 5-10 years of story for them.

This post has been edited by Fatoran: Jul 12 2006, 09:03 AM

[Advocate]

Hello, Mr. Farshtey.

I was wondering if the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics applied to the Bionicle Universe (if you are wondering, the 2nd law says that the quality of energy decreases over time, as well as the order of things, unless a being of intelligence interferes and makes order). From what I can tell, it does apply (i.e. The Vahi rusting, Metru-Nui needing to be rebuilt by Dume (as it won't rebuild itself), the Nuva getting armour because of the EP (which would be a source of intelligence), etc.)

Thank you.

Your examples are logical and I would say unofficially you are probably right, but we reserve the right to make exceptions to any Earth laws of physics because this is science fantasy.

Just something I was curious about. I'm very satisfied with the answer, too. Not a bit dissapointed.

[Souseiseki]

1) At the end of chapter seven in "Power Play", Kongu's mask is activated while he is touching the vat containing the antidermis. He finds out that the antidermis is alive, and evil. Wasn't Kongu already aware of the fact that it was a virus, and therefore alive?

2) I know that you're not supposed to reveal future storyline, but what do you think Turaga Takanuva would look like? I don't mean specifically, but would he still be gold and white with a noble Avohkii (if that's possible), or would he have Takua's old colors?

3) Again, no revealing, but any chance Brutaka will come back to the light side within the next few years, or will he forever be shrouded in darkness?

4) What is the name of BL4?

5) Can the Elda detect other things besides Matoro's astral form and the Ignika?

6) I heard the Mata-Nui Turaga are sort of like Turaga Dume's advisors. Do the Rahaga help too?

7) Also, what is that limb on TSO's back? Is it a tail or a leg?

-Z-

1) Why would he be? When is the last time you heard of BIONICLE medical science, or a BIONICLE character having a cold or a virus? Why would they know about that? Half of BZP didn't know viruses are alive, and we have them all over in our world.
2) No idea, I don't think visually, I think in words.
3) No, no, and no. I don't believe in evil characters turning good. If you are going to be evil, at least have the guts to stand by your convictions.
4) Legacy of Evil
5) Well, I would assume it could spot someone using a Mask of Concealment.
6) No, the Rahaga have no reason to hang out on Metru Nui, because there are no more victims of the Visorak there.
7) Probably a tail, I guess

1) I figured that.
3) I totally agree.
5) Not exactly what I meant.
7) Sweet.

-Z-

This post has been edited by ZX9: Jul 12 2006, 04:34 PM

[Cheesy Mac n Che...]

Just 3 questions:

1.Is it possible that the MNOLG2 or the VNOLG will ever be available for download?
2.How many Toa Stones can a fresh new Toa (or a Toa who has never used any Toa Power) make before finally running out of Toa Power?
3.Were the Toa Stones of Mata Nui (the ones that the Toa Metru made) "used"? I know they sent out a beacon summoning the Toa Olda, but could they still have enough energy to be used to turn Matoran into Toa?

Thanks
-Kraahkan-User3000


1) VNOLG hasn't even gone up on the site yet. As for MNOLG2, it's possible, but they really should fix the glitch in it first
2) Oh, heck, considering it only takes a fraction of a Toa's energy to make a Toa stone, could be dozens, could be hundreds.
3) No, their energy was used to send the signal.

Comments:
1. I totally agree that they should fix the glitch(es).
2. Cool! One Toa can make dozens, possibly hundreds of new Toa!
3. Thought so.

-Kraahkan-User3000

This post has been edited by kraahkan-user3000: Jul 12 2006, 05:40 PM

[Nittany Nuva]

I wish Greg would stop comparing Antidermis with real world viruses. Basic science says that viruses are not living things. They are DNA surrounded by a protien coat, not a living organism. They do not truly live. They don't eat or reproduce. They replicate themselves by inserting their own genetic code into living cells. I would be fine if he said that it is alive because it is not an earth virus, but a fictional one, but it seems like its saying that real viruses are living.

[Advocate]

I wish Greg would stop comparing Antidermis with real world viruses. Basic science says that viruses are not living things. They are DNA surrounded by a protien coat, not a living organism. They do not truly live. They don't eat or reproduce. They replicate themselves by inserting their own genetic code into living cells. I would be fine if he said that it is alive because it is not an earth virus, but a fictional one, but it seems like its saying that real viruses are living.

Well, because they are living. DNA is only contained in living creatures. Rocks don't have DNA.

(From dictionary.com) Virus:Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.

They may not be considered living, but plants, animals and bacteria are all living.

Bacteria (for the doubtful):Any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals.

So, all plants, animals and bacteria are living. Because a virus is any variety of those, we can logically conclude that a virus is living.

[Alex W.]

Well, because they are living. DNA is only contained in living creatures. Rocks don't have DNA.

(From dictionary.com) Virus:Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.

They may not be considered living, but plants, animals and bacteria are all living.

Bacteria (for the doubtful):Any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals.

So, all plants, animals and bacteria are living. Because a virus is any variety of those, we can logically conclude that a virus is living.

A virus is not "a variety of these things." It is a parasite that is considered nonliving and survives via these organisms. It is not classified as a plant, animal, or bacteria, and thus is not a memeber of the animalia, plantae, or moneran kingdoms. It is not considered living becuase it lacks two key factors: a cell membrane and the ability to metabolize its own food. Therefore, conclusively, a virus is not considered living.

[The Order of Mat...]

Hey guys, let's try to get back on topic. Anywho, here's some of my goodies:

1. In "Web of the Visorak", Matau and Nuju are talking while fighting the mutated Lohrak, and they mention that the reason Airships cannot fly too high is because ice will begin to form. That happens when you fly too high from the surface because you're entering the heatless Outerspace, but why would that happen in an underground dome heated by Twin Suns?

2. In "Web of the Visorak", in the Epilogue on P. 123, Turaga Vakama says, "Meaning you are Toa, not children who need..." But, I thought there wasn't any biological reproduction in BIONICLE. So how do they know what children are?


1) You are applying Earth science to BIONICLE -- can't do that, there's no evidence we're on Earth.

2) Keep in mind that the English spoken in the books is translated from Matoran. So the use of the word children means that is the English word closest to what Vakama said. He doesn't literally mean children the way we would ... but at some point, every being does come into the world, so the Matoran equivalent would probably be "new being." But if I use "new being" it's not going to make sense to the 7-9 year olds who make up most of my readers, so I use a term they will understand.

This post has been edited by The Order of Mata-Nui: Jul 12 2006, 07:19 PM

[Ja-Metru]

Hey guys, let's try to get back on topic. Anywho, here's some of my goodies:

1. In "Web of the Visorak", Matau and Nuju are talking while fighting the mutated Lohrak, and they mention that the reason Airships cannot fly too high is because ice will begin to form. That happens when you fly too high from the surface because you're entering the heatless Outerspace, but why would that happen in an underground dome heated by Twin Suns?

2. In "Web of the Visorak", in the Epilogue on P. 123, Turaga Vakama says, "Meaning you are Toa, not children who need..." But, I thought there wasn't any biological reproduction in BIONICLE. So how do they know what children are?


1) You are applying Earth science to BIONICLE -- can't do that, there's no evidence we're on Earth.

2) Keep in mind that the English spoken in the books is translated from Matoran. So the use of the word children means that is the English word closest to what Vakama said. He doesn't literally mean children the way we would ... but at some point, every being does come into the world, so the Matoran equivalent would probably be "new being." But if I use "new being" it's not going to make sense to the 7-9 year olds who make up most of my readers, so I use a term they will understand.

You have posted these before.

This post has been edited by Ja-Metru: Jul 12 2006, 09:40 PM

[The Order of Mat...]

You have posted these before.

Really? My bad...I thought I hadn't yet. I'm awaiting some new ones anyway, so I'll edit that when I get the answers.

-TOoMN-

[Cap'n Ikki]

Hey Greg, I've got a few questions --

1) How come the Inika heads do not glow in the dark?
1) That feature was changed at the last minute, unfortunately after we had gone to press with the July magazine. I assume it just proved either impractical or too expensive to do.

2) I suppose the story reason of their features being too bright to make out would still count, right?
2) Yes, because the heads still do not have features.

3) I read this reply of you over here:

3) No, no, and no. I don't believe in evil characters turning good. If you are going to be evil, at least have the guts to stand by your convictions.

I'm just wondering what you think of Star Wars' final ending in Ep VI, then? Should Vader have been killed, or doesn't he truely qualify as evil? Or was that an exception?

3) Obviously, Star Wars is hugely successful, so it is hard to quarrel with what they do. But had I written it, after Vader killed them Emperor, he would have turned to Luke and said, "Now we will rule the universe together" and Luke would have had to fight him one last time. Vader blew up entire planets, chopped off his son's hand, and did who knows how many other horrible things in his life, so I just had a hard time buying that he sees the Emperor attack his son and suddenly becomes a good guy for the first time in his adult life. (After all, he had no problems attacking his son himself -- what was he doing during that whole, "Luke, I am your father" scene in Ep. V?)

Just some interesting stuff.

-Ikk

This post has been edited by Ikki: Jul 14 2006, 02:31 AM

[Zahd]

Well, because they are living. DNA is only contained in living creatures. Rocks don't have DNA.

(From dictionary.com) Virus:Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.

They may not be considered living, but plants, animals and bacteria are all living.

Bacteria (for the doubtful):Any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals.

So, all plants, animals and bacteria are living. Because a virus is any variety of those, we can logically conclude that a virus is living.

Oh good *slaps head and moans* Viruses are NOT living. All living things are able to rebroduce without the help of an other speicies. Wether that is asexual or sexual, they cannot use another species to reproduce. A virus invades a host cell. Then it injects its genetic meterial into the cell and that meterial makes the cell produce more viruses. This is the way viruses "re-procuce"

In truth, viruses are not considered living or NON-living.

So, all plants, animals and bacteria are living. Because a virus is any variety of those, we can logically conclude that a virus is living.

Wah? A virus cant be a plant animal or bacteria! Who taught you this?

This post has been edited by umbreot: Jul 13 2006, 09:43 AM

[Fivrik Toa of Bu...]

Back on topic, please...

1. When the Matoro, Hahli, Kongu, Jaller, Hewkii, and Nuparu were struck by lightning, did that lighning by chance have Toa Energy in it?
   The lightning came from the red star, that's all I can say.
2. If so, was the 'organicizing' of the Kanohi they were wearing a result of the combination of Toa Energy and lightning?
   See answer to #1
   
   
3. I've noticed from the first two movies that the characters can wear two masks at once. How is this possible? How many Masks can one wear at once? Can all the powers be used in this case?
   Like you said, that is largely a movie thing -- it has only happened in the comics with the Vahi, which being a legendary mask, does not have to follow the same rules as normal masks. The only other exception was the Dume-Makuta situation, which I frankly saw as more him shapeshifting than doing what it appeared he was doing.
   
   
4. Since the Toa Inika need to heal Mata Nui, does this mean they have to find him?
   No.
   
   
5. Does this mean we'll finally see Mata Nui himself?
   No.
   
   
6. I'm not sure if I've already asked this, but how does Makuta crate Kraata out of his essence if he's made of energy and Krata are organic?
   Because he's Makuta and it's one of the things he can do. Also keep in mind your question springs from your knowledge of Earth science, and as I often say, we're not using Earth science.
   
   
7. Could there ever be a mask of duplication?
   I suppose it's possible.
   
8. What about liquification?
   Not sure I would see the point of that one -- it's not of much use against inanimate objects, really, and I couldn't use it against living creatures, LEGO would see it as too gross.
   
   
9. Do any Bionicle creatures have hair?
   Not that I can recall
   
   
10. What happens to Mask powers if the Kanohi of said power breaks?
    As stated in 2004, the mask simply becomes unusable and has to be destroyed. The only exceptions are the legendary masks.
    
    
11. When the Mask of Life is used, does the Mask's power consume the wearer because it feeds off of life?
    It consumers the wearer -- the why has not been revealed
    
    
12. Do Matoran have any legends besides Artahka and Karzahni?
    Sure, they do. They have lots of legends.
    
    
13. Will we ever see Artakha (I mean Karzahni's brother)?
    No idea.
    
    
14. Since names mean things in our languages, do Bionicle names mean anything?
15. Could you give a list if so?
    I am not sure I understand your question
    On that last one, I mean since names have meanings, like, for example, 'Eric' means 'Forever strong' (though it is usually interpreted as 'Ever ruler'). I'm asking if Bionicle names mean anything, like say, 'Vakama' means 'visionary', or 'Tahu' means 'fire'.
    Only thing we have said along those lines is that Ta is a Matoran prefix meaning fire, Ga is a Matoran prefix meaning water, etc. We have not gone into what individual character's names mean.

That's all.

-Fivrik-

edit: Wow! new page!

This post has been edited by Fivrik Toa of Building: Jul 13 2006, 10:03 AM

[The Shadowed One]

About the whole viral thing, I don't see much point in debating here. The facts are that viruses replicate but do not carry out all the processes of life to be considered technically living. As far as I know, whether or not they are indeed alive is still a subject of debate. If you believe in the five necessary functions of an organism, then no, they aren't living. But if you think an exception should be made, then they are living. I'm guessing Greg is in that second camp, so let's try not to moan and complain that he's giving us incorrect biological information.

[T-Hybrid]

Like I told Greg when I PM'ed him, I apologize if these are old questions. But I figured in the case of sharing info I'd post the responses.

1. It has been said the chain is Matoran -> Toa -> Turaga. Is it possible to break this chain. As in, can a Turaga exist without first being a Toa?...or can a Toa exist without first being a Matoran.

1) We know that the "Toa Olda" most likely were never Matoran, but as a general rule, the answer is no.

2. Are there plans to address the origins of the Toa Nuva before they reached Mata-Nu? Such as if they were Matoran first?

2) See answer to #1, and BL #2 revealed who built their canisters.

3. With the arrival of the Toa Inika, there are now two Toa of Fire (Jaller and Tahu), is this something that has happened before, or something that is supposed to happen normally?

3) Oh, sure it has. There were some 300 Toa in the Toa-Dark Hunter war back in Metru Nui, surely some of them had to share the same elements.

4. Is the Toa of Sonics that the Piraka killed a member of the same Toa team Jovan belonged to?

4) No. Once Jovan's team completed their mission, the surviving members became Turaga.

5. References have been made to Toa of Sonics, Gravity, Magnetism, and Plasma. Would it be a safe guess to say there have also been Toa of Vacuum and Electricity?

5) Of the two, Electricity would be the most likely. I don't think I would do a Toa of Vacuum simply because a skilled Toa of Air can create a vacuum if he needs to.

6. Is there any significance to be drawn from the fact that Toa of 4 "other" elements share their elements with those of the Bohrok-Kal?

6) No.

7. A long time ago, it was said that Bionicle was story of 6 books. The first book, if I remember correctly, ended with the Mask of Light movie (or thereabouts). Which book are we currently in? And if possible, could you sum-up where the books inbetween ended?

7) This is really not something I can answer. The whole seven books of BIONICLE thing came from Bob Thompson, former head of the story team. Bob has since left the company to open his own production company, and the remaining story team members are not following the book structure.

Do with the info what you will.

[Khote]

[*]Do any Bionicle creatures have hair?
Not that I can recall

Well, Roodaka had a ponytail of sorts.
Khote

This post has been edited by Khote: Jul 14 2006, 11:36 AM

[Toa Lhikan Hordi...]

4. Is the Toa of Sonics that the Piraka killed a member of the same Toa team Jovan belonged to?

4) No. Once Jovan's team completed their mission, the surviving members became Turaga.

5. References have been made to Toa of Sonics, Gravity, Magnetism, and Plasma. Would it be a safe guess to say there have also been Toa of Vacuum and Electricity?

5) Of the two, Electricity would be the most likely. I don't think I would do a Toa of Vacuum simply because a skilled Toa of Air can create a vacuum if he needs to.

I wonder what happened to the other Turaga.

I'm glad that Greg doesn't want to make a Toa of Vacuum, it sounds too close to a Toa of air. If he could make another Toa with an element besides electricity, I'd bet it might be acid or something.

-

[Advocate]

Hello again. Thanks for answering my question on the 2nd Law. Could you answer another question (it relates to this topic.) Could two Iden users switch bodies if both were in their astral forms? I think they could, according to this:

Let's pretend we have machinery like in the Exo-Force line of Lego. Each person is used to using their own machine, and the machine is like a suit that enhances/channels/makes use of the users abilities. When two people get out, they could switch machines, even though they might not be as used to the new machine as their old one.

Now, when you think of the spirit as the person, and the body as the machine, it would be fully possible (logically) that two Iden users could switch bodies (although I don't quite see why it would be useful).

Thanks in advance.

I would say it is a reasonable assumption.

Just something I wanted to know...

[PeabodySam]

Hey, Greg, it's me again.

1. If the story team never approved of MNOLG, then why is there so many refrences to it in the Bionicle Encyclopedia?

2. If Jaller is wearing Lhikan's noble Hau, then why does it look like a great Hau?
2b. Why did the mask "shapeshift" upon putting it onto Jaller?

3. If TSO gives the Dark Hunters codenames, then why don't the Piraka, Nidhiki, and Krekka have codenames as well?

4. How does Poison inject his venom?

5. What is the name of the Piraka's species?

6. Besides Bionicle: The Game, was the Mask of Elemental Energy ever used in storyline?

7. Besides Bionicle: The Game, was the Amana Volo Sphere ever used in storyline?

1) Because it exists, and it was many people's intro to BIONICLE -- and because many of the major events in it were retroactively made official. It is more of the minor stuff in the online games, like the taxi crabs, that we do not consider official.

2) Because the mask was being given to Jaller in honor of the memory of Lhikan, and Jaller never saw him as Turaga Lhikan, only Toa Lhikan. And, more practically, it had to look like the mask Jaller wore in 2001.

3) Why bother to list codenames in the book for two characters who are dead and six who have defected? There is no need to protect their identities.

4) Claws, most likely

5) That gets revealed next year

6) No. It was just a power-up in the game.

7) Not to my knowledge, no

I'm not exactly sure if Greg understood Question #2...

[Toa Max Nuva]

Here is my latest from GregF. It gives some insight in to the way he thinks characters should be.

BL#3 was fantastic, we can't wait for the next one. I do have one question for you, I realize my answer will probbably be keep reading but I have to try.


Is there any chance that Brutaka will "see the light" and return the OoMN?


The answer to your question is probably not. I am not real big on villains suddenly turning good -- my villains tend to be how they are because they don't believe in anything and so there is a void they try to fill with power or conquest. That's not something that just suddenly changes, and I believe villains in fiction, like heroes, should have the strength of their convictions. That is why I always took issue with Return of the Jedi -- Vader tries to kill his son, chops his hand off, blows up entire planets, but the second the Emperor attacks Luke, suddenly he's a good guy again. Never rang true for me.

enjoy!

[Cheesy Mac n Che...]

Hi. I have a few questions regarding Rhotuka Spinners:

Can you reveal the Rhotuka powers of the following beings?

1.Umbra

2.Rock Raptor

3.Protocairn

4.Frostelus

5.Chute Lurker

6.Gate Guardian

7.Parakrekk

Also, I have some other questions regarding Rahi:

8.Why wasn't the Parakrekk in the Rahi Guide?

9.Why wasn't the Frostelus in the Rahi Guide?

10.Why wasn't the Protocairn in the Rahi Guide?

11.Why wasn't the Venom Flyer in the Rahi Guide?

And lastly, I have questions about Guides:

12.Can we hope to get a Rahi Guide Edition 2, with the Rahi I mentioned above, and others left out, and new Rahi such as the Dagger Spider, Lava Hawk, Fenrakk, and Kardas?

13.How about the same for the Dark Hunters, updated, perhaps including Triglax, Lariska, Voporak, Roodaka, some info on the Rahi Nui, and this time Vezon doesn't have his entry torn out and burned?

14.And what about an updated Atlas (although this would be in the far future, with islands/continents left out for next year's, and any new islands/continents introduced after 2007?

15.Now about Guides already planned, will next year's Atlas include an illustration for Artahka (being), as well as Karzahni?

Thanks!

-Kraahkan-User3000

1-7) I really don't have time to do this right now.
8-11) Simple, my friend. The models you refer to are mostly combo models from 2005, if not all, I believe. Now take a look at the publication date of Rahi Guide -- June 2005 -- which means it was written in fall of 2004, before any of those combos existed as models. Combo models get done last, and some, like Protocairns, are ones we build at LEGO Magazine as we need them.
12) No plans for that, no, at least not through 2007.
13) Dark Hunters just came out this year, there's not going to be a market for a volume 2 for several years, probably. Also, Roodaka is not a Dark Hunter, and there are no sets for Lariska or Triglax so they cannot be pictured.
14) The first Atlas is not even out yet, why are you worrying about a second one??
15) No

[Pnoiboi]

Hi Greg only a couple of questions:

1. When will we find out what happened to the Great Being that wasn't supposed to touch the mask?

2. Is it possible that the AE is that same Great Being (because Great Beings are powerful)?

3. If not already, in which BL book(s) will the AE be mentioned if not released?


Thank you.

1) 2007
2) No
3) I am not going to answer this one, sorry

I wonder why he can't answer it..