Harvali

Here are my folks.

Name: Kanohi, has finally undergone Naming Day

Breed: Fe-Matoran

Faction: Tobduk-Koro

Brief Description: An orange and black Matoran with a Hau for a Mask, has two devices built into his arms that let him grapple about, and is covered in metallic brown armor made from broken masks, carries a staff that can fold up into a disk

Background/Occupation: a Matoran originally from a remote island, he was a poor mask maker, and haunted by anxiety over his failures and inadequacies. After the league destroyed his home he fled to Metru-Nui, only for that refuge to fall under the eye of the league too. Desperate to be useful and scared of the last Matoran refuge brings destroyed, he became a vigilante of sorts, using a Volo Lutu Launcher from his home to grapple across the cityscape and regeneration disks to mend collapsing buildings and bridges so Matoran could escape from league attacks.

In the wake of the crash on Xa-Nui he has been appointed the leader of Po-Koro by the “Toa Stannis.” He spent much of his early leadership helping the villagers mend tools as well as forged disks. Then a terrible flood struck the village, caused by a colossal beast. Villagers died in the flood, even as he struggled to save them. After the flood he had a vision of a village by a temple, inspiring him to lead the villagers to found Tobduk-Koro by the Stone Ruins. Overwhelmed by his duties, he decided to form a council, so not all pressure was on him. 

Flaws: He still suffers a great deal of anxiety, and as the first councilor of Tobduk-Koro he is prone to shutting down from stress. He likewise has only recently realized how flawed the Matoran civilization was. After the destruction of Metru-Nui and the dead toll that followed he is terrified of letting people die, to the point of hurting himself trying to save lives.

Powers: Strangely, on occasion Kanohi can experience confusing visions.

Breed Quirk/s: As a Fe-Matoran he has enhanced endurance compared to other Matoran

Equipment: He has two hi-tech Volo Lutu Launchers attached to his forearms, and similarly his mask has been upgraded with a short range radio and a display for better controlling his grappling. He also wears armor made from masks he failed to correctly forge long ago. Recently he and and a far better mask maker has forged a regeneration disk of his into a gadget that can unfold from a disk into his Kiril Staff, whose touch can regenerate parts of objects with more control and more precisely than just hurling a disk. Resemblances to a Turaga’s Badge of Office were not his idea. He also has a single Disk of Weakening and a Disk of Regeneration, both of which he forged.

Name: “Collector”

Breed: Vortixx

Faction: Tobduk-Koro

Brief Description: A lean Vortixx that is taller than a Toa but short for their breed, they are covered in black armor that has rusted to a burnt violet. Wears a black Noble Kiril.

Background/Occupation: a powerless genderless Vortixx worker on Xia, as an outcast they left for Metru-Nui long before the League arrived. There they built a small business of hover bikes, only for that to be destroyed by the invasion of Ehlek. In the later parts of the war they witnessed Matoran working together to survive despite losing everything, falling back on their unity. They decided friendship must be incredibly valuable, and since most currency was useless on Zakaz, they became obsessed with friendship, but it became clear that the Matoran prefer each other or the Toa to the other breeds of the GSR. They became fixated on gaining powers like a Toa, so their new friends would not leave them and they wouldn’t be left with nothing again.

To this end they abandoned their work as a messenger to try to gain the powers of a Toa, joining the Odd Company. However their lack of social ability alienated them from the group, and though they found a method of gaining power, they soon realized how selfish it was. During the flooding of Po-Koro they were overjoyed to save lives, but in its wake realized many had died. If they had been couriering news and supplies to the village, would fewer people have died? Was the deaths their fault, because they abandoned the village? Then when the Odd Company unlocked the power, they were not changed, only horrified as the two affected by it seemed strange now, more distant and aggressive. Now no longer sure if they want the power of a Toa anymore, Collector has worked to help support Tobduk-Koro, building defenses and tools.

Flaws: Collector was an outcast in Xia, and as one of the few surviving Vortixx they remain outside the elite of Matoran civilization. They have poor social skills, and can come across as creepy and obsessive. After the flood they are more anxious and more openly self loathing, blaming the death toll on their selfishness. Now that they no longer know if they want the power of a Toa, they are at a loss for personal goals. In a fight, they do not have range abilities, and do not have the varied abilities of most breeds, making them less adaptable. They also have never fought before.

Powers: They are able to access the powers of both Great and Noble masks

Breed Quirk/s: As a Vortixx, Collector has an innate knowledge of technology.

Equipment: Collector carries a Kanoka Blade with the power of freezing, to feel more like a Toa of Ice. They have a converted hover bike from Le-Metru, as well as a Noble Kiril, letting them repair their equipment. 

Name: Mahrika

Breed: Desecrated Ga-Matoran

Faction: Tuakana, Sorilax

Brief Description: she is unusually short and small for a Matoran, with longer arms than legs. She wears a sand blue Great Akaku, and has sand blue feet and a light blue torso and light blue arms. She wears a dress woven of algae fibers for clothes. She now carries a Kanoka and her sewing equipment  on her back, along with a sword.

Background/Occupation: Ages ago, the Skakdi invaded this island and devastated the native Matoran. One such Matoran was Mahrika, a Ga-Matoran who lived in a small village with her girlfriend Vokarda. When the Skakdi came their village was helpless, their people slaughtered and their homes reduced to rubble. In the end only Mahrika and Vokarda were still alive, and it was then that the Aspect Tuakana approached them. Tuakana offered the pair the Rite of Desecration, but not for power. They suggested that if Vokarda’s heartlight was sacrificed, a part of her would live on as a Kraata in Mahrika. That she would not be completely lost, and they would not be separated by death. The two Matoran were desperate, their tribe had always feared the Aspects, but their Tribe was gone, and their gods did not seem to care. So they agreed, and Vokarda became a Kraata of Adaption.

Over the ages Mahrika lived a life as a hermit, not hearing word from Tuakana. She spent her time weaving in an underwater cave, hiding from the Skakdi and waiting for her new god to return. Throughout the years she continued to believe her Kraata was Vokarda, every wiggle it made was comforting, reassuring her Vokarda was still here. And every squirming motion was advice, helping her know what to do. She did not doubt that she now carried Vokarda’s spirit inside her, she could not. Then the Impact happened, and the shockwaves collapsed her submerged cave. She escaped, and began to wander about, trying to find her and Vokarda a new home. In the process she discovered a broken Vahki, and careful scavenged it’s remaining stun staff and its Kanoka.

Shortly after she met Ollem, and after a brief tense encounter the two Matoran unlocked the Suva of Stone, Mahrika claiming the Boots of speed. She also finally heard back from Tuakana, and began to send them frequent updates and information. She and Ollem continued East and unlocked the Ruins of Water, where they encountered a Toa Kas. They freed him despite their suspicions, before leaving for the Suva of Fire to recover a mask. 

Flaws: She is deeply obsessed with the belief that Vokarda is her Kraata, and to hear someone suggest otherwise would be enraging. She firmly believes that Tuakana’s goal to “conquer death“ is just. All her years in isolation hiding and waiting have left her body weaker and smaller than the average Matoran, and she remains terrified of Skakdi.

Powers: Mahrika has a Stage Three Kraata of Adaption named Vokarda, allowing her to adapt quickly to environments of extreme heat or extreme cold, as well as letting her escape capture twice in the same way, and letting her physically adapt to situations involuntarily. The former set of powers allowed her to survive in her underwater cave, despite the lack of warmth. She also has an “Illuminated” Mask that grants her access to a Stage Five Kraata power of Quick Healing. With this gift she can heal from minor or moderate injuries quickly, as well as heal minor injuries while awake and hibernate to mend small wounds, recover from everything outside of the most serious injury, and instantly heal serious wounds. 

Breed Quirk/s: As a Matoran of Water she has enhanced lung capacity, and is naturally a better swimmer than most Matoran.

Equipment: She currently carries a Ga-Metru Level Six Disk of Freezing, a Level Five Disk of Remove Poison, a Level Five disk of Regeneration, and a Level Six disk of Weakening. She also has a Flame Sword, an elemental weapon capable of summoning fireballs, igniting, and heating anything it touches. She has some equipment for weaving clothes and wears a dress made of kelp fibers, and has a sleeping bag made of woven algae. Finally she wears a powerless Illuminated Mask of X-Ray Vision. While she cannot use her mask power, the telescopic lens built into it alone her to magnify her vision, letting her spot threats off in the distance, as well as do detail work with her weaving. She also is carrying around in her supplies a Noble Mask of Concealment.

Are we allowed to start posting our characters now, or should we wait until all the parts of the rules and character creation topic are posted?

edit: hey, I finally have an exo Toa.

IC “Collector” - Tobduk-Koro

Collector was quiet. They … they weren’t comfortable answering, this was … this was too direct. Too vulnerable. But they often were direct, asking things bluntly. By hey tried to think things through, trick others into being their friend, but they still … was this partly what alienated Zadred? Asking too many questions, being blunt in the wrong ways and manipulative in the wrong ways?

Every day they gain a greater realization of how little they understand people.

Finally Collector said, “…I dislike many who lived in Xia. But I suppose the only organic I hate, is myself.” The courier who abandoned Po-Koro, the outcast who alienated their fellow freaks, who took joy in the flood because finally they were saving Matoran like a Toa. The selfish Vortixx who wished they were not their own breed. The genderless Vortixx who could not come up with a name more creative than “collector.” That freak, that was who Collector hated, deep down

OOC: @Toru Nui

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi paused momentarily, confused. Finally he said, “Of course you are welcomed. Some Matoran are upset, but you saved so many lives during the flood. And talking to Lawful, he already has helped me better lead the village. I just…”

The Akiri shook his head, trying to refocus, “The fact is, I am a poor leader. I am not what the village needs. And I … back in the old universe I lived in a remote village, we didn’t know about disks, or other breeds besides Matoran, we only knew of two elements. My ignorance is massive, and that might mean I could make mistakes. I will make mistakes, But I cannot abandon my duties. Not when there are so few people left. But I … I realize, after the flood, that we can depend on each other. That we need to if we would survive. S-sorry I am rambling.”

Mustering his courage he said, “I do not know if your squad plans to s-stay, but if you would stay, I am thinking of putting together a council to lead the village. And I think, after all you did for us, and the simple fact you are smarter than me, would you be willing to be the second councilor of Tobruk-Koro?”

OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku @The UltimoScorp @pokemonlover360

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector stared, before letting out a weary smile, “I appreciate your honesty. I can’t really fault your squad mother for hating organics, the cruelty organics can be capable of can be unmatched. Though in the end I … I think I hate only one organic.” They paused, twirling their finger around the hilt of their Kanoka Blade. Not grabbing it, almost ticking it.

They sighed, “If I may be honest in turn, I do not think she is the only one behaving irrationally, or the only one who was possibly corrupted externally. The power in the ruins, it seems to have effected two of the Toa here, made them stronger but … different. I do not understand most people, whether organic or mechanical, but I feel … there was greater aggression in one, and a coldness to the other. I may have only misspoken, but the power caused Toa Arkius’s mask to melt into his head. That much heat and molten metal, I worry it could affect his brain. And since the Matoran of this village love him, it may be wise to have someone … critical of the Matoran around.”

The Vortixx raised their hands to eye them, the fingers were still a bit blistered from punching all that ice, ”There is so much I don’t understand about people. About myself. I wonder if I am changing too. When I left Po-Koro I wanted the power of a Toa, so that the Matoran would like me. But after the flood, and seeing what gaining that power could cause, I don’t know if I want it. And maybe they would never like me either way.”

They paused, thinking, then quietly they said, “If you and your Squad Mother decides not to help, I would understand. But I … I know what it’s like to be built for a system, conditioned for a system, and still be unable to function in that system. To be an abnormality. If you … ever want to compare notes on the matter, I would do my best.”

OOC: @Toru Nui

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi heard Lawful’s words as he grappled away, and nodded. He would respect the Vahki’s wishes, it was the lease he could do. He … he knew too well some people were not suited for leadership.

The Fe-Matoran hurtled over the village, stopping to help mend any damaged tools and huts he saw. As he traversed the village he passed along his decision that at least for now Bode is to be monitored under guard, and to work in servitude for the village to pay for his crime. Likewise Ulkarr was to be watched, but not attacked yet.p, and the Leader of the Vahki offered the chance to lead in a council. 

As he grappled past a hut a stone struck his back. Supaka swiped up another rock and hurled it, shouting, “Take that, you robot-kissing Kolhii-headed Rahi.” 

Kanohi tumbled in the air and grappled to another hut, leaning on his staff. That was not the only rock chucked his way. The Matoran were agitated that Ulkarr was not being punished, and that he meant to put one of the Vahki in a position of power? A person who was not Matoran, and not even considered alive by many Matoran? It was … they were not happy.

Still Kanohi stood back up and grappled away, heading towards the squad mother. Ulkarr appeared to be there, along with others. “Squad-Mother,” Kanohi bowed, his face blossoming burgundy beneath his mask, “I … it is good to see you. For right now, until we know what exactly happened with Bode, he is going to be under guard and be paying off his crimes with labor. Ulkarr I … we will need to monitor you while you are in the village but for now, nothing more. Sorry … we simply need to be cautious.” 

He paused, trying to focus., Kanohi felt skittish, like he was shirking his duties. Maybe it was the audience? So he said, “Squad-Mother, I … I do not know if you have heard the rumors, but I need to discuss something with you, regarding this village.”

OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku @The UltimoScorp 

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector approached Lawful, still a bit uneasy. They had not known Arkius well, he had always been wary of Collector, though who could blame him. But still it … he was different, right? And with the mask fusing to his face, melting to his flesh, it made sense for his mind to be affected.

It was … it was troubling. They hoped Jutori would be spared from that power. Same with Kilo. But maybe the ruin of Earth would be less damaged, and it’s machinery would work better. But still it was troubling. Maybe it was all in their head though.

They … Xia was an awful place. Not because of the Mountain, not because of the pollution, but the society. Xia was … was strict. Making money was important, but knowing your place was far more important. It never would have mattered how much Collector did for them. In the end, the matriarchal land of Xia had no interest in someone who could not fit into their binary of gender.

The Matoran though, they were so much more complex. They did not react to their gender, they just moved on. And they were loyal. A Matoran could make a mistake and be forgiven. A Matoran could be supported even when it made no sense and would be a detriment to the group. The Natiran, their unity was astounding. Their friendship was … it inspired awe.

Maybe that’s why Zadred was not happy that Zakaz was likely destroyed. There were other Skakdi like her in that world, other Outcasts and freaks. And they were likely dead along with their tormentors. Collector had not been the only genderless Vortixx. Maybe there were individuals on Xia who did not deserve to suffocate and die.

The Vortixx shook their head. Right now they had to help the living. They cleared their throat, “Vahki I … apologies I do not know your designation. But I would wish to request the help of your … group, to help build defenses for this village. The Matoran have a number of disks, and may be able to make more, but they lack launchers. Given your jaws’ ability to fire and reuse disks, perhaps your people can help.”

OOC: @Toru Nui

…

IC Mahrika - The Great Telescope

The first few hundred steps Mahrika took in the volcanic land was horrific, like her skin was crumbling from the waves of heat. The wall of fumes and fire was all consuming. But as she walked, she steadily felt stronger. The heat began to fade, no, it persisted, but now it washed off her. Her body weathered the inferno, growing stronger and less drained with each step.

Vokarda continued to save her life, even now. The power of adaption was what her beloved had given her, it had let her survive the fall of Matoran civilization, withstand millennia of solitude, and survive the collapsing of her cave. She had survived it all. And she would endure more. 

As they reached the Suva she reached out to her master. “Big brother,” she focused her thoughts, “I … I do not know where your journey has led you, but I go now to solve another puzzle of the Suvas. How … how are you doing? Are you closer to fulfilling your Great Work?”

Then to Ollem she helped support him in her long arms. He was fitter than her, but she had adapted to the heat, and he still suffered in it. “Should we go back?” she offered, “I … do not know if this heat would be good for you.”

She swept her lens around, searching for something to cool him, before seeing a glint on the Suva. Light reflected off her disk. Nodding, she tapped her Kanoka to the ground, forming a layer of ice. The ice almost immediately melted, but it would still be cooling.

”Will this help?”

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad @Eyru 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi let out a sigh, “you are right. I … I know some of the villagers want Arkius, and you, Lawful, you seem to see things clearer than I do. Maybe a council would be best.” The Fe-Matoran paused, mustering his strength and retracting his staff. He then nodded and grappled away, stopping by the villagers to speak and tell them of the current decision regarding Bode. 

OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku 

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector winced at Arkius’s words, but nodded to Toa Jutori. “I will. Stay safe, Jutori. And … I’m sorry.” They waited behind as the group left. This was the purest power of Toahood? So, the device did have the power of Toa. Something Collector had wanted ever since they had been exiled from Xia. They … they wanted this power, to be a Toa, to be loved by the Matoran, to belong. To possess friendship, a possession that could never be stripped from them.

But this power … was it just them? It fused Arkius’s mask to his face, turned it into a part of his anatomy. Melted it to his skin. That much power right near his brain, and the change in his behavior, was it just Collector?

Though Collector did not know Arkius that well, and after the flood, Collector themself had changed in temperament and personality. Maybe, maybe this was just Arkius’s reaction to the destruction  of Po-Koro, that it was unrelated to the NUVA power. Maybe he was grieving.

Collector sighed, it … it didn’t feel like that though. Still, by now Arkius had left, so they too left the building, trying to keep their distance from the Toa. They would need to speak to the Vahki. They would need their help to build disk launchers, they believed the Vahki could reuse the same disks without leaving their post to collect them, that could help with ammo.

They had never been trusted around the Vahki in Metru-Nui, and that was probably the right decision. Once, they would have dissected one of the Vahki eagerly, studied them and scavenged tools and parts from them. They had been as cold and ruthless as any Vortixx. But, the Vahki saved so many lives when Po-Koro fell, and they seemed … complicated. They … they were glad they never had gotten the chance to study them. 

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

…

IC Mahrika - The Great Telescope

Mahrika walked alongside Ollem, her telescopic lens searching about for Rahi or the Suva. As she walked she held her arms around her squat body, hugging Vokarda. Finally she broke the silence. “Ollem, you … you have interacted with a lot more people than me, at least recently. My social skills have decayed. Do you think we can trust Kas? Or should we prepare in case he would betray us whenever he gets what he wants?”

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad @Eyru 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi’s face turned burgundy under his mask, and looked away. “I … that should be easy to do. Not require much changes, just a more dedicated guard on Bode and Ulkarr, while he is in town. I … it’s so simple. I … I should have thought of that. I … I guess the pressure to solve everything immediately blinded me. We … we don’t need to make drastic changes, at least yet. Yes, I … I can do that. I should go and alert the village.”

The Fe-Matoran paused, admittedly he was hesitant to confine Bode indefinitely. Kanohi’s anxiety kept pressing him, thinking of possibilities. Maybe Bode would one day save Tobruk-Koro, or Ulkarr would sacrifice himself to save a life. He … he was afraid to set something in stone too firmly. But, at least for now. 

OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku 

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector nodded, looking away, “I am sorry, I should not have doubted your intentions.” They, they must have overreacted, misunderstood the situation. It wouldn’t be the first time, Zadred still avoided them. They still weren’t entirely sure what all their mistakes had been. They suspected mentioning the destruction of the universe with pleasure had been a mistake. They had assumed a Skakdi like her would hate Zakaz, same as they hated Xia. But it had only scared her.

A freak even among freaks. They could feel it in Arkius’s stare. Still, disapproval from the mutated Toa or not, they owed their old explorers to be careful. And they could be quite stubborn. So Collector said quietly, “Still, please wait before activating the NUVA door in that ruin, assuming there is one there. Maybe consult a medic or a scientist, see if there are any health risks before you risk transforming another hero.”

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

The Fe-Matoran nodded, “thank you, Lawful. I … I have tried my best.” He sighed, “But I … I am clearly not strong enough to decide things like the fate of a Matoran. I go to pieces too easily. I … I may be better at things that don’t involve debating the fate of people, rescuing people from natural disasters, making low level Kanoka disks. Simple stuff.”

”I-I long time ago I was told to do what I can,” Kanohi said quietly as he rocked back and forth, leaning against his Kiril Staff, “to b-break my duties into small manageable tasks. I … I need to break it down into small tasks. O-okay, okay, okay. Okay okay okay. Um, Bode has definitely committed murder. Okay. But it may have been euthanasia. W-we will need to figure out if it was an ignorant act of mercy.”

B-but how was he supposed to figure out that?

OOC: @Toru Nui @Onaku I assume he would have learn the names of the individual Vahki during the construction of the village. 

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector looked between the group. This … it was dawning on them that they were in the minority here, in more ways than one, and they would be a hypocrite to tell the Toa not to abandon the village for power. But, even so, they cleared their throat. “I … the Earth Ruins might not be too far away, but shouldn’t we wait a bit longer, help the village be more prepared? At least help the Matoran forge more Disks of Weakening, maybe build some crude disk launchers too.” 

The Vortixx looked away, “I … maybe I should … if you leave, I think I should stay behind with the Vahki, between us we may be able to build some launchers, fortify the village better. I believe the Turaga Jovan has been searching the edges of the village for ore.”

They swallowed and continued, “There is something else. I mean no disrespect, but the Administrator seemed surprised by what happened when the NUVA device activated, there were side effects to using the disk that even they didn’t expect. The ruins seem like they had been abandoned for along time, their mechanisms may have started to break. It might be wise to wait, to see if there are other downsides to this power.”

OOC: @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector’s head jerked towards Arkius, was his voice different? Their hand fiddled in their air, craving to grab their Kanoka Blade. They fought that urge. “Toa Arkius, I … are you sure we should pursue a new quest so soon? There are less than two hundred Matoran left in this village, and until the radio tower is fully rebuilt we don’t know the fate of Metru-Koro. These may be the last Matoran left. I … I do not know if we should abandon them.” Like Collector had abandoned the Matoran to join the last quest. 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

Sorry I don’t post as often or make posts as long as I used to right now, not been in the right mental place to do it. Apologies to everyone I have held up. 

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

“Wait, what is — where are you going?” Collector spun their head back and forth so many times they grew dizzy, “Toa Atamai, what about the village?” They hesitated, in part because their head was spinning, but also something seemed off about Atamai. But Collector did not understand people enough to know what. He seemed … more decisive, but in a way he had not been before. It was … there was a coldness, not a physical temperature coldness like Collector’s Kanoka Blade, but it was familiar all the same.

Then Atamai ‘NUVA’ vanished, seemingly abandoning the few surviving Matoran. Collector stared there, this … this didn’t feel like what a Toa should do, did it? Toa were great heroes, beloved by the !atoran, powerful saviors of the Matoran. It … it didn’t feel right. The Vortixx turned to the main Toa present who had not been changed by the light. ”Toa Jutori, what … what do we do? Should we follow him? Is … this seems odd, right? Not the portal opening, I don’t understand magic maybe that’s typical of magic, but Atamai, am I imagining things?” 

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi stumbled at the Toa’s words, unfolding his staff to lean on. “I … I can’t take a break,” he said in a growing rush of frantic words, “the world doesn’t take a break. My village was destroyed, Metru-Koro invaded, b-but worst of all the universe we lived in was torn apart. The very head of the universe was ripped from its neck, crashing into this island. S-so many people died, so many who deserved to live. Millions died on the impact, both League and Matoran. Just … mangled and slaughtered by g-gravity alone. A-and we don’t even know if the rest of the universe survives, with such a hole cleaved into it, the air might rush out and leave everyone suffocating. We are some of the few survivors, and more of us keep dying. I have to keep them s-safe.”

OOC: @Onaku after ages, I muster up a post.

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi seemed to stare off into space, saying nothing. Finally he shook his head free of his daze and said to Ardoku, “I … a great Toa put me in charge. He h-had faith in me. I-I do not know why, but I I-I cannot let him down. I cannot let the villagers down either. Too many of us have died, the war destroyed too much. I … I cannot just abandon my duty either. I … I have to lead.”

He swallowed, “I know my weaknesses are clear. But I should not abandon my duty. I cannot. But y-you are right, Unity is important. It may be most important. Destiny … is hard to trust in now. For many reasons. There is not much we have left aside from each other. We have to depend on ea h other, n-not just on a leader or a hero. And … Collector realized that.”

The vigilante turned Akiri fell quiet for a time, before continuing, “Maybe a council should lead this village. Many of the Vahki who saved us seem more wise than me, Arkius has grown in popularity among the villagers, maybe some of them could lead. I … I cannot abandon my duty. But maybe it could be s-shared.”

He spoke up then as Kat and Ulkarr discussed, “I … nothing has been decided yet. And if Ramaka was asking for a-assistance in suicide, it would c-complicate things. And there is little I know. I guess what I mean is, if you want to spar, I have no reason to say no. Just try not to damage any of the village, or each other.”

”Um, and Ulkarr. I … I do want to know something first. When we went searching for the injured Matoran, were you … were you hoping one of us would sacrifice her heartlight?”

Kanohi’s memory was resurfacing. When they reached the Matoran, Ulkarr had never objected to saving her, never opposed when Pardehi said she could be saved. Just let the Matoran and Klawne take her to safety, while he went back to Po-Koro. He … if he had wanted to sacrificed her, why didn’t he a make a move? Unless, unless since she was still alive, and since she did not ask for death, he did not want her heartlight. Like he needed consent. And that … that might be a point in his favor. 

Bode meanwhile said, “I … forgive me master, seeing the village collapsing, a titanic beast destroying the very landscape just with its presence, and my … my fears that my weeds could have eroded the ground, I was not thinking clearly. I do not believe I was ever told what the rumors were, I confessed immediately, without explanation.”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku 

…

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi gradually was aware of a shadow cast over him. He shifted to see one of the Toa who had helped the Matoran build the village, leaning over, putting his hand on Kanohi’s shoulder. Kanohi couldn’t even feel the hand, he was just utterly numb. Like there was a disconnect between his chassis and his brain.

“Hey, are you alright?“

The words echoed in Kanohi’s head, he could … they had meaning, relevance. He stared at the Toa, his heartlight still pounding, his eyes wide, but his brain failing to register the words.

Finally he understood, and his face turn so red he imagined his mask shifted in hue. He looked away and swallowed, his voice reverberating to his sensors. “I … I can manage,” he tried to force a smile, put everyone at ease, “the v-village needs my help. I … we have to decide what to do with Bode.”

Meanwhile, Bode had answered Ulkarr, “I told them nothing, all I said was when o-one of them mentioned they had heard rumors, all I said were that the rumors were true.”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku 

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector spun  around from Arkius, as Atamai was returned to the group. But he took looked different, and … was that a new mask? And Arkius, he no longer had a mask at all, or rather, it had been melted to his face. “Admin,” Collector demanded, drawing their Kanoka Blade and attempting to stand between the two mutated Toa and the slot where the disk had been inserted, “what have you done to them? What is this?”

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

…

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi fell silent. Well, almost silent. His fingers tapped against his masks as he mumbled under his breath, saying little other than whimpers. He began to pace, his hands flapping wildly.  He … he had … not expected that quick of a response. Nor that blunt of one. He had asked, he had needed to. He had a duty, Stannis trusted him, put his faith in him. But it was … Ulkarr’s words slammed into him like an disk of freezing. Ulkarr seemed unbothered, unconcerned. Like Kanohi’s words mattered very little.

He … he could hardly parse Ulkarr’s words, barely hear the replies of Kat and the Vahki. He tried to focus, could … could Ramaka have asked Bode to kill her? But his brain was overcome by numbness, only rare thoughts could pierce the storm. The cross-wired Matoran felt his mind leave his metal skull, not in a vision, but like he was viewing himself from above. His brain could no longer process this all.

The Fe-Matoran swayed, unable to form concrete words. He … he wasn’t suited for this. Wasn’t strong enough for this. He n-no, the village depended on him. S-Stannis depended on h-him. H-he had to th-think. H-he had to l-lead.

Kanohi b-barely knew the powers of elements outside of Iron and Jungle, maybe Ulkarr was similarly ignorant, and did not know what Light could do. A-and  have Ramaka dying was a mercy. But, the Vahki had a point, there were no witnesses besides Ulkarr and Bode. H-he had no proof.

The vigilante turned Akiri stumbled as he paced wildly, mumbling to himself. It was become clear that any numbness he felt was his brain locking up from panic. He … he wasn’t suited for this. He wasn’t worthy of being Akiri. He needed to make a decision, or at least not go to p-pieces. And he was f-falling apart. Broken, weak, pitiful.

Then Kat spoke again. Her words were barely audible, more a series of clicks and grunts that decipherable words. Kanohi stared at her blankly for a moment, before her words vaguely registered in his head. She … she wanted them to listen to both Bode and Ulkarr. O-of course, listen to all the f-facts, try to make an informed decision. And delay the decision. He struggled to make a nod. 

Why Stannis? Why did you think some cross-wired vigilante could do this?

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi flinched as Ulkarr spoke up. The words of Stannis suddenly flashed in his head, that Ulkarr was not to be trusted. But then, the ignorant Matoran thought again. Stannis, he was a great hero. And he had believed the Aspects were evil. He warned him about Ulkarr. And Bode likely had sacrificed a Matoran to Ulkarr. He might have condoned murder, maybe even encouraged it 

But Ulkarr, well, he thought to protect that Ga-Matoran, he had traveled with Kanohi, Nale, and the others to try to rescue her. And, maybe Kanohi was overcompensating for his ignorance, but he had blindly trusted Matoran doctrine before. And that doctrine, that theMatoran were chosen, it had led to things like the Vahki killing Kilo’s people. Maybe killing other breeds.

And S-S-Stannis, he was a great hero, he was, but he was very religious. And well, Kanohi had learned that Toa were not exactly perfect. And if Matoran religion was inherently bigoted…

He … the murder was wrong. There was no ignoring that. But, he did not know all the facts. He could not afford to be rash. Especially since Ulkarr could bring shadows to life, it would be foolhardy to start a fight. Too many could get hurt.

Curse this ill-fitting duty.

“U-Ulkarr,” Kanohi managed, drawing his Kiril Staff and planting it in the ground, using it as a cane to keep him steady. He swallowed, leaning heavily on his staff, before continuing, “I am sorry. Th-this is indeed the village that the survivors of Po-Koro formed. I am … on behalf of the v-village, thank you for helping us rescue that M-Matoran, and for helping us deal with the Muaka. I … Karzahni.”

The cross-wired Matoran did not like cursing, he rarely did it. But the stress of this social interaction was rough. Finally he said, “Ulkarr, I have heard rumors about a m-murder that happened in Po-Koro. That a De-Matoran n-named Bode might have killed another Matoran. A mortally wounded Le-Matoran, but one that m-might have been able to be saved. There was a powerful healer in the village at the time, she could have saved the Matoran. And I also hear that y-you might be involved, and that Bode gained some sort of power over her death. I … I do know at least that he can create plants now.”

Kanohi sighed, “But all I know are r-rumors. I was g-going to ask Bode when you just arrived, I haven’t heard his words. And I … my ignorance is a swamp. So, if you can, can you please tell me know you know of the e-event? I-if you are worried for yourself and Bode, you can talk freely. There has been too much death, too few of us are left, and as long as I am in charge of Tobruk-Koro, neither of you will be in danger of execution. Even if we had the strength to do it. I swear on the remaining Matoran. N-no, on the survivors of the old universe. Sorry, I am still learning. It’s just … I have to prevent more deaths, I have a duty.”

He sighed, “I do not know what to do to be honest. Just what I cannot do, and that I have to do something. I am sorry if I am worrying you, it’s just, too many are dead. I c-can’t just ignore a murder.”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku I’m not sure if Ulkarr knew there was a powerful healer in the village during the pact, so he might have that as an excuse. 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his mask, feeling the curves in the metal. “I-I don’t think anyone has spoken to him directly, that is a good point,. From what I hear, the Matoran who he likely killed, he knew her. I think I know the one, they were from the same village back … back in the old universe. I think they were close, but I am bad at people, I might have misunderstood their bond.”

”There is something else,” Kanohi added, “the Le-Matoran was harmed in the raid. She likely was going to die, under normal circumstances. But, from what I have heard, there was a Toa of Light there. I-I don’t know much about Light, it wasn’t an element on my island, but from what the villagers say, she could perform great acts of healing.  Save Matoran from wounds that should have killed them. So if Bode was … trying to euthanize her, why, when a healer was right there?”

He sighed, “I should ask him, at least give him a chance to explain. I should— this might sound silly, but I was put in charge of Po-Koro by Toa Stannis. And I think the Matoran, most of them don’t like to talk to me about it. Before I was in charge they had a guard watch him, but I don’t know. I worry they think I’m an outsider. I had been with them for most of my time on this island but, I don’t think they want him punished. But I don’t know if it’s because we need the fields he creates, or because he’s one of them.”

“I don’t want him killed no matter what, surely they know I don’t want more killing. Why have they closed their ranks so tightly? Why didn’t I notice, until Sucordak directly told me?”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku I guess it’s about time I insert a retcon so Bode’s actions make some sense given the fact there was an incredibly powerful healer in Po-Koro at the time. Suggestions are welcomed.

IC Kanohi and Bode - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi winced, these Toa did not seem to be much help in this matter. Then again, he knew from the start that he would have to decide what happened to Bode, it was his duty as Akiri, like it or not. Though even the cross-wired Matoran was beginning to hear his fellow Matoran wishing Arkius was in charge. He didn’t blame them.

Still he bowed to them and said “I-I will continue to think about it, thank you for your help. And thank you for helping us build this new village. If … if you plan to leave, maybe wait a little longer. I am going to try to forge more disks, if you would want a disk of regeneration or a disk of weakening, it’s the least we can do for your help building Tobduk-Koro. I … I doubt they would be very high level, I am still learning, but if you want them, they would be yours.”

Bode meanwhile glanced around. Jovan was trying to find deposits of Protodermis Ore nearby the new village, with a few guards flanking him. As he watched the Turaga Bode could see a group of Matoran tinkering with the vehicles of the Odd Company, helping mend them after the flood. The De-Matoran focused his mind and asked, “Master, are you still heading this way? When should I expect you?”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku

…

IC Kanohi and Bode - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi looked away, “I don’t know. I was away from Po-Koro when the Skakdi raided, trying to rescue a Matoran. When I returned, some time after the raid had ended, well, t-the Matoran didn’t talk to me about it, they still don’t. I think some view me as an outsider, for being g-gone during the raid.”

He sighed, focus. He began to drum his masks and continued, “Gradually I heard the rumors. A Le-Matoran had been m-murdered, her heartlight ripped out. A De-Matoran who suddenly could grow weeds everywhere he stepped, whose footsteps of grass led out from a hut splattered with d-drops of b-blood. And then, that there was a breed on this island who could turn sacrificed heartlights into powers. And that Ulkarr, one of the natives of the island ago had helped us, was of that breed. Stannis was particularly firm we should not trust him.”

He continued, optics closed, “wh-what some of the Matoran believe is that the Bode the De-Matoran s-sacrificed the Le-Matoran to Ulkarr, in order to get power over plants. That’s why we had a field in Po-Koro, and why one has grown so quick in Tobduk-Koro. Without those field, we would have no Mahi, and very little plants for braiding rope. The Bo-Matoran feel no toxins in the weeds, they aren’t nutritious, but they aren’t poisonous.”

“Bode often seems in a daze now, keeping to the field. And when I started to bring up the rumors, he claimed they were true. We did not discuss what rumors I had heard, but it, it is a bad sign. And he seems to have some sort of intimate connection to Ulkarr”

The cross-wired Matoran opened his eyes and said. “I … I the universe lost millions of lives when Mata-Nui’s head crashed on this island. Only thousands remain. I … I cannot believe the right answer is to kill Bode. Too many are dead, But he … he must be punished, and we cannot allow another to attempt this pact. I just, I don’t know what to do. Do you two have any advice?”

Elsewhere, Bode was still running off a high. Ulkarr had dismissed the idea of sacrifice the dying Matoran, he was wiser and kinder than Bode, of course he was. The reasons Ulkarr dismissed the idea did not matter, what mattered is that there would be no more deaths for now.

But that flood, had it been Bode’s fault? Not the rain, but had his weeds broken up the ground too much, made the land unstable, encouraged it to collapse? It, he hadn’t known a Rain Demon was on the island, but he … he — Karzahni, something good has to have good come from his pact.

And speaking of his pact, Bode was speaking to Ulkarr through their telepathic connection. It was slow going, but even as a pariah, his enhanced hearing let Bode learn more and more of the talk in Tobruk-Koro, and gradually he was feeding Ulkarr directions to the new village. 

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Toru Nui @Onaku Since there has been a time skip since the flood, feel free to have Ulkarr timeskip too on his trek to Tobruk-Koro.

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi grappled through the village, searching for any dangers, anyone needing help. As he traversed the landscape he spied two of the Toa who had helped build Tobduk-Koro, currently at the fringes of the village. He should inform them. He hooked his Volo Lutu Launcher towards them, hurling through the air.

As the cross-wired Fe-Matoran landed he stumbled, his joints were still sore from the struggle of the flood. He steadied himself on his staff and gasped out, “I … I don’t see any signs of the ‘rain demon,’ or the Skakdi raiders. I think there is a storm in the distance, but I think it’s in the east.” He panted a bit, before standing back up. 

A thought brushed against him. He still had a duty to do. “Toa I … I thank you for your help building our new homes, and helping us prepare if the rain demon comes back. But, I know this might be much to ask, but if it’s alright, I might need some advice. It’s … about a murder that I believe was committed in Po-Koro.”

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp @Onaku hope this would be okay. 

IC Kanohi - Tobduk-Koro

Kanohi grappled alongside the cliffs and structures Arkius and the others had helped cleave into the mountainside. The Toa had done well. The forge had been rebuilt thanks to the Toa, not as strong as before, and they still needed ore, but it still was stronger. The buildings were crude, but stabler than what had remained of Po-Koro.

He paused to tap a metal support beam, strengthening it with his staff. Toa Atamai, as he learned that mysterious Toa had been all along, he was strong. With the help of Jovan and Collector he had taken many of the metal cantrips of Po-Koro, some to use to defend the village’s borders that weren’t shielded by the mountains, others to shape into simple tools and supports, to keep the village more stable. The things this Odd Company had already done.

This, this still did not match the village in Kanohi’s vision. But he, he was beginning to believe Kat. Maybe he should not fixate on the exact specifics of his visions. What was it that Turaga Bomahri would say? The trees blinded him to the forest. 

Kanohi grappled away, it was easier to grapple here, terrain was less flat. That meant there was more to grapple to, and more of a reason to grapple. Back in Pi-Koro all he could grapple from was stone huts and the Knowledge Tower. Hopefully they would one day be able to scavenge the tower here, or at least recover more from the abandoned village. 

He signed as he grappled over the village. Many of the Matoran remained injured, many had died, but others he could see below. Bode paced about, creating a field, as other Matoran began to wrangle Mahi drawn to the growing patch of weeds. Hopefully they could rebuild a herd of the goats, using them for milk, meat, and tools. 

He grappled further along. He had to continue his rounds for at least a bit longer, then he would return to the Forge of Vakama. He was one of the few diskmakers in the village, and the village needed weapons. He knew very well how to forge disks of regeneration, and according to Sucordak, disks of weakening were not too different. Or rather, similar principles, done differently. Point was, weakening was not exactly the strongest power, but it would be better than nothing. 

OOC:  @The UltimoScorp  @Toru Nui  @Onaku

…

IC Mahrika - “The Mask of Water(fall) Breathing

Mahrika swallowed, “We … we need more information. What is Locus Abeo? How … how could he have only been imprisoned for a hundred years? Matoran civilization on this island collapsed long before that. And, why have we been given access to a gong to summon the tricksters to make pacts with them? Something that my tribe seemed to believe was forbidden.”

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad @Eyru

…

IC “Collector” - The Ruins of Stone

Collector fidgeted as they stood alongside the Toa, their eyes darting behind them. This, this chamber, it could hold the power they have sought, to gain the powers of a Toa. To impress the Matoran. To befriend them. But all they could focus on was fear.

They struggled to listen as the others talked, but not to their words. What if a raid happened while so many Toa were in here? What if that beast came and ravaged this new village, made up of the survivors of two destroyed lands already. They, they had to be ready to run to the aid of the Matoran, at the first sign of trouble.

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @pokemonlover360 @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn 

IC Mahrika - “The Mask of Water(fall) Breathing

Mahrika lowered her Kanoka Disk. Ollem was right to be cautious, Toa Kas and the Administrator were … the two Matoran knew nothing about them. She needed to be more careful, she knew how fallible Toa could be, they had failed her people, their greatest duty was to protect Matoran, and they failed. That was mere failure, but what if this Toa was hostile.

She had been so paranoid at the start of this journey, so scared of everything being a Skakdi trap. She thought Ollem had been a mere illusion. But he wasn’t, he was a living Matoran. And together they had solved the riddles of the Suva and these Ruins. And that Skakdi, he had given them water, and not killed them. And he could have easily killed them. And for the first time in millennium, her master … no, her brother answered her. And suddenly Vokarda felt … her grooves felt different. Like she had grown. And in truth, the power Vokarda gave her, it felt different. Stronger maybe.

She … she was beginning to get used to good things happening. That … she should be cautious. Yes things had been going good for now, but … she had not survived the Skakdi for millennia by being optimistic. No, she had kept Vokarda safe by hiding, by being careful. That had saved their lives. She, she should not abandon that instinct so quickly.

Mahrika waddled away, to investigate the bent Kanoka. Did any of these disks still have power inside them? That raised a point, and she asked, “Were these disks damaged by being put into this slot? Because they were not a Great Disk?”

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad @Eyru

IC Kanohi and Bode and “Collector” - Po-Koro

Collector shook their head, “Then this world is all you know? Metro-Koro was a refugee camp, for the survivors of the war that leveled Metru-Nui: the last bastion of the Matoran. This place was a smaller camp. But after being abandoned by couriers, devastated by a flood, and raided by the natives, folks here plan to leave this place.”

They winced as a Bo-Matoran applied a paste to their frostbite, “Easy, Collector. And what the Karzahni were you thinking trying to punch your way through ice?”

“I … I do not know if I like the name collector anymore,” they muttered, “Never intended to it to be my name, was trying to name myself ‘Ko-‘ something, for my Kanoka Blade’s freezing. Just … was not creative enough to finish the thought, it was filled in for me.”

They sighed, laying back down, “Do you know your name, Toa? If you forgot it, maybe we could workshop names together?”

Bode meanwhile listened, his De-Matoran abilities letting him listen in on the crowd gathering to be teleported away There were a number of Matoran who had not died yet, but they would not last long, and some who might live were brain dead.

He swallowed he, he had a choice to make. He … could he be trusted with this choice? He, he couldn’t imagine himself as worthy of this choice. He … he should leave it to Ulkarr. So shakily and quietly he focused and telepathically reached Ulkarr. “Master, there … there are a number of d-dead Matoran here, as well as a few who will soon be d-dying. Most survived but, there are dead here.”

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @The UltimoScorp @pokemonlover360 @Toru Nui @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn

…

IC Mahrika - “The Mask of Water(fall) Breathing

Mahrika startled as she caught sight of the Toa of Fire. “A … a Toa? Are, are you a native here?” She managed stumbling backwards as she looked up and down his body, “I … I thought no Toa of Tren-Nui were left, at least after the Skakdi came. Are, were you the administrator talking to us? I … I can see why you were impatient.”

The Ga-Matoran drew her Kanoka of freezing and began to focus her telescopic lens, trying to search for any weak-points in the chains that bound the Toa. As she did though she paused, her lens zeroing back in one the three numbers. 

“Ollem,” she said quietly, “those three numbers, that’s for a disk, right?”

OOC: @Unreliable Narrator @Burnmad @Eyru

OOC: setting up a tiny timeskip, hope that’s fine with everyone, 

IC Kanohi and Bode and “Collector” - Po-Koro

Kanohi grappled through Po-Koro, landing before some of the villagers. They had carts full of whatever they could scavenge, from food to scrap metal to the disks he and Sucordak had forged. The three or so Mahi left of the herd were strung to the carts, ready to make a long journey across the wasteland. Luckily that should not be necessary. 

The cross-wired Matoran approached the Matoran, and they stood aside, letting him tap their carts with his staff. As the carts mended they asked, “So, do you and our saviors know where we are headed?”

He nodded before standing back, “Head to the Vahki Transport in the center of town, a Toa of Iron is going to teleport us to a ruins he and our other rescuers had explored. He will have to do it gradually, but a few of us should go at a time. He may be able to teleport the forge there too.”

“And the Knowledge Tower?” A Ko-Matoran asked, pushing past the others towards Kanohi.

The vigilante turned Akiri swallowed and said, “I have not asked. But maybe when everyone is settled in the new village, I will see if he would be willing to help.” The Matoran of Ice fidgeted with unease, but nodded. Kanohi did not notice the uncomfortableness of the Ko-Matoran as he grappled away, too busy heading off to gather more Matoran.

As Kanohi alerted the villagers Bode sat, watching as the Matoran gathered around the heroes. There were, he sighed, maybe a 190 left? Maybe a little less? Still, it could have been much worse without the Toa. Even the Vahki helped, hauling Matoran out of the mud, keeping them above the flood. For cruel uncaring machines, they at least had saved lives.

Collector meanwhile dragged themselves out of the underground, their legs and hand plagued by frostbite. As they laid down the Matoran they rescued hurried to the others, with one latchingJovan’s mask back onto his face. Collector sighed at that, relieved but exhausted. They laid there, even as Matoran began to treat the frostbite of the Vortixx as well as the Matoran they had saved.

As their injuries were treated the Vortixx spotted a Toa approaching, escorted by a muddy Matoran. Collector dragged their body to sit up and asked “Greetings, Toa. Have … have you come from Metru-Koro? Do you bring news of the city?”

OOC: @~Xemnas~ @The UltimoScorp @pokemonlover360 @Toru Nui @Onaku @Snelly @Tarn