The Iron Toa

Elemental energy recharges over time.

Well, the Nuva could have been sped along by the OoMN, using fast vehicles, teleportation, etc, while it might have normally taken weeks or months to do all that traveling. And on the flip side in Mahri Nui, it probably took a little while to get the Mahri Nui Matoran safely in the caves under Voya Nui. Think about four or five days might fit both those? As for the trip back from Artidax, the Toa Mahri probably only had to swim to the next place they could get a boat. The battle of Metru Nui was in progress when they arrived. Maybe it lasted a few days, and/or didn't start for a few days after they were sent to Artidax. The serials don't make the Destiny War seem months long, but if you consider the travel time that does make more sense.

Yeah. I think automatons like Bohrok should be a special case. They probably should have no Charisma, and be immune to normal mental attacks - I'm not sure if they would even need Will. Krana, however, would have those stats, and I think Krana would have high Will but most would have low Charisma.

Mahri Nui did seem pretty fast, but the Toa Nuva were traveling all around during that time, and that must have taken more than a couple days. And I know Teridax spent a while consolidating control of his new body, but I think if a year passed it would have been described as a year instead of several months.

Hm, I'm not sure if the Makuta were mostly Lawful Evil. Antroz sure was. But I wouldn't call Teridax that. He didn't seem to adhere to any sort of code (though he did keep his promise to Vakama in Time Trap, but that didn't do anything to mess up his plans anyway), he was just willing to do whatever to advance his plans. I see the Shadowed One as much more Lawful - his grievance with Teridax's killing of Nidhiki and Krekka seemed to be a matter of professional honor, he released Norik when Varian made her choice, and he even assigned someone to kill him if he was perceived as going soft. That last one is a big sign of some sort of Lawful Evil ethic.

In the questions thread, he says Bionicle questions only.

Maybe we should continue this on the Red Star topic (if it hasn't expired), but I remember people talking about how Sidorak and a lot of Visorak must be up there. That can't be good for the other inhabitants.

Does this mean any newly canonized prefixes will have to be from a previous list such as the names of the Kraata and Kraana types?

I wonder if it works on Spherus Magna inhabitants. But yeah, just as we've seen it mutate Toa and Rahi, it could make Vortixx Hordika, Skakdi Hordika, Matoran Hordika, Conjurer's Species Hordika, etc.

I thought he didn't have to get prefixes through Legal because they're just a couple letters put together.

The Order of Mata Nui is sworn to enforce the will of Mata Nui, and they are disciplined and secretive. I think that would make them Lawful. Since they work for the good of their universe, they could be called Good, but some of the things they do for the greater good could push them into Lawful Neutral.Takua wandered around doing good deeds instead of working. I'd say that makes him Chaotic Good.The d20srd has an explanation of the alignment system that should clarify things.

I'd guess stormy places could count if they could harvest the power from it. Otherwise I wonder if they'd normally live in high-tech environments (well all of the Matoran Universe is high-tech but you know what I mean). Yes, it had already been revealed that Vo-Matoran are resistant to electric shocks.

Wow, I didn't think any more details on the other elements would be revealed.Since we happen to be voting on what we think the other prefixes and traits should be, could you ask Greg if he'd consider canonizing the results of those polls?

Yeah. I'm not sure how many people work for the Shadowed One and how the Dark Hunters are structured, but I was under the impression there were lower-ranking mercenaries that weren't Dark Hunters in the same sense as the elite operatives we know of. After all, they have a fleet and that would take a lot of underlings to crew.

Their armor was originally gray and blue. They changed it so they could pretend to be from a previously unknown tribe, but it didn't work. I have no idea if it was meant to represent some other element.

Oh, right... anyway, do you have any more questions, Magnetic Vorahk?

Someone said that in another topic. So how long did the Mahri Nui arc take? And how far into it did the OoMN recover and use the Staff of Artakha?

I thought he had hundreds invading the city.

He had a chance at winning that war. I don't think trying to take Metru Nui was a crazy idea.

Right, but he can't control the sand directly or create it. Gali could control sand in water the same way.

There shouldn't be any rivalry between Bionicle fansites.

I like to think about this, too. I agree with most of what you said. However, I think the overall alignment of the Dark Hunters would be Evil. Some of them could probably be called Neutral, and a few like Mimic and Phantom could possibly be called Good. The Shadowed One is definitely Evil, and I'd put him under lawful as well. Nidhiki turned out a bad guy, but I would never consider him more evil than TSO. I'm not sure what to call Krekka. He's a villain, but I can't tell how much of what he does is out of malice and how much is because the Dark Hunters are like his family. Also, I'm not sure I would classify him and Gorast as Chaotic, because of their fanatical dedication to their leaders. That might not keep them from being Chaotic, however.As for other characters, Jaller and Takua is an excellent example of Lawful Good vs Chaotic Good.

End of YrentaChapter Fifty-one==City of Balkhder, Northern Continent, Matoran Universe==~1,000 AGC~ “Who is this?” the door-warden asked Mozmana's escort.“She says her name is Alneev – but I think she made it up – and that she must speak with the Earl in private,” said Uilriaduris.“Very well. Return to your post,” Gardrus ordered the sentinel, and as Uilriaduris complied, he addressed Mozmana. “So, is that true? Is Alneev your right name?”“No,” admitted Mozmana, for lying against a Kanohi Rode wearer would be pointless.“And what is?”“Mozmana.”“Remove your hood, Mozmana,” said Gardrus, and the Toa of Psionics complied. “Ah, I see: you are a Toa. That explains the attempt to conceal your identity. That is wise, though you need not fear revealing it to me. I have no malice for Toa. Still, though I am inclined to trust you, I must ask you the same questions I ask everyone who seeks an audience. What is your business with Earl Drahais?”“It is a secret matter.”“Who sent you?”“Someone from another region.”“That's enough, Toa. Do not turn this into a game,” said Gardrus sternly. “Answer my questions to my satisfaction, or I will not grant you entry.”“Very well. I was sent by Thane Frithozib of Leokhtlich,” said Mozmana. “As I said, I have news for the Earl only. The Thane wishes to set aside the hostility between his people and yours, for this is not the time to dwell on old enmities.”“And that explains your reluctance to reveal your business here,” said Gardrus. “I will not ask that you divulge our rulers' secrets to me, but I have one final, most important question for you. Do you intend to do harm to Earl Drahais, or to aid or convince others to harm him?”“No,” said Mozmana calmly.“You may enter, then,” said the guard, but he did not yet open the door. “But I suggest you first hear some advice I have to offer. Drahais is a fair and benevolent ruler, but the members of his court are of lesser quality. His advisers and councilors are greedy, ambitious beings, and if you ask me, they are to blame for the wars between us and Thane Frithozib. I know they will try to subvert your efforts, and they may even alert the Makuta to your presence.”“Are they in there now?” said Mozmana.“Yes, but if you are attempting to keep out of their sight, don't bother,” said Gardrus. “I am sure they already know of you from their agents in the city. So you may as well enter now. Just do what you need to and leave before Brotherhood assassins knock on the door.”“Well, that makes me feel safe and welcome here,” quipped the Toa of Psionics.“Well then, how about this: if any do attempt to gain entry while you are in there, I will not let them in,” said Gardrus.“Thank you, door-warden, but do not risk your life for me,” said Mozmana gratefully.Gardrus nodded in agreement, and with that he opened the metal door to the stone and steel keep. Inside was a foyer with several doors on either side and one wide corridor at the end. Mozmana went straight ahead down this hall. Beyond a short flight of ascending stairs, it led directly to the central chamber, where the Earl and his councilors sat at a long table. The scene was representative of the rest of the city: the room was grand, but not ornately decorated, and its inhabitants were diverse. Of the court of seventeen, Drahais himself and one of his councilors were of the blue-armored prime species with hypnotic red eyes, three were of the white-armored prime species, four were of the black-armored prime species, one was the same species as Gardrus, another four were Matoran of various elements, two were of Frithozib's species – the yellow prime species – and one was of the red-armored prime species.“Who is this?” demanded the Earl, standing up from his seat at the end of the table.“This must be the one my aide said was coming,” said one of the white-armored beings, confirming Gardrus's suspicion that Mozmana's arrival had been noticed. “I was not told she was a Toa, but I should have expected such.”“Bold of her to show herself,” one councilor murmured to another, underestimating the acuity of Mozmana's hearing.“Yes, I am Toa Mozmana,” she introduced herself. “I was admitted by your door-warden.”“I would like to trust in a Toa's integrity, and I certainly trust in Gardrus's competence,” said Earl Drahais. “So, why have you come, Toa Mozmana?”“I come bearing urgent news for your ears only,” said the Toa of Psionics, deciding not to mention Frithozib in front of the councilors.“Ha! Do you really think we would grant a stranger a private audience with the Earl?” scoffed the red-armored adviser sitting to his left.“Silence, Usgarlad,” barked the Earl, turning to face the one who had spoken out of turn. “Toa, I – ”He never finished the sentence, for at that moment the Ga-Matoran sitting to his right jumped up onto the table, and as he turned to face her she extended a blade that had been concealed in her forearm and stabbed him in the side of his chest. The other councilors were frozen with shock, but Mozmana immediately drew her sword, and the guards that had stood silently on either side of the room sprung into action. As the Earl fell backwards, one of his guards rushed to steady him – though it was clearly too late to save his life – while the rest fell upon the little blue assassin. The Matoran looked to the door as if she was about to flee, then she suddenly fell down and rolled onto the floor.“My... mind...” she cried, seizing her head in her hands. “Get out... stop... controlling me!”“Wait!” yelled Mozmana, but she was too late to stop a zealous guard from slaying the Matoran.“Sounds like she was under mind control,” said another guard, and he looked at Mozmana accusingly. “You!”“What?” protested Mozmana. “No... I didn't...”As the guards surrounded her, weapons raised, one of the advisers broke out of his stupor and rushed to ring a bell at the back of the room. It echoed through the keep, and soon more guards arrived. The captain of these stepped forward.“What happened here?” he asked.“The Earl has been murdered,” said one of the councilors.“I can see that,” snapped the captain. “Who did it?”“It was this Ga-Matoran,” said one of the guards that had already been in the room, and he indicated the corpse of the killer. “But judging by her last words, she was not acting under her own will.”“And here we have this Toa of Psionics, who arrived not two minutes before,” said a black-armored adviser.“Now wait, I had no part in this,” said Mozmana. “Ask Gardrus the door-warden – he questioned me and – ”“Enough,” said the captain, raising a hand. “All of you who were in the room at the time are witnesses to this crime, and right now, you are all suspects. For the purpose of bringing the killer and any conspirators to justice, you must all be detained.”Mozmana knew that though she had a chance to escape if she fought her way out, the potential repercussions made such an act foolish. As she allowed the guards to confiscate her weapon, shackle her, and march her out of the room along with the other suspects, she wished she could have accompanied Imlen. She was sure his homeland was free of such treachery and intrigue. ----- Although Imlen knew he had done the right thing by returning to Yrenta right away, he wished he had been free to go with Mozmana. Things in Yrenta were not especially bad, but he was vulnerable alone, and she had not messaged him since they had parted over a week ago. During that time, he had been working on the task he and Morok had spoken of. First he had made sure the Ga-Matoran had a surplus of boats and would be able to build more in the near future. Then, he had helped the citizens of the northern settlements with issues such as Rahi infestations. His quest to help the Matoran of Ba-Naja with an outbreak of beasts enslaved by infected Kanohi had led him to a nest of Kraata in a cave at the base of the cliffs. He had destroyed the Kraata, for he could not allow them to continue to spread their corruption, but he knew Kraata remained bound in some way to their originator. He could only hope that the deed had not alerted the Makuta. Fortunately, that had been five days ago, and so far, though he had spotted Brotherhood patrols, he had not been found.With their most pressing issues resolved, the Matoran of Yrenta were able to relax. Imlen told them to not get too comfortable, and though he did not tell them exactly why, they agreed. Life was easier than it had been for the past few months, but their troubles were not gone forever. Satisfied that the Matoran of Yrenta would be able to leave their homes quickly enough when the time for the exodus came, Imlen returned to the jungle village. He had originally planned on either scouting the Brotherhood ports to the south for himself – from a safe distance, of course – or traveling west to find Turaga Vibrak. But when he arrived at the village, still no message had come from Mozmana, and so he decided on another course of action.“I must return to Leokhtlich and look for Mozmana,” he said to Morok in the Turaga's hut that morning. “She should have sent a message almost a week ago.”“Hmm... I do not mean to be harsh, Imlen, but it is likely too late,” said the Turaga grimly. “Do not do anything brash, or you will meet an untimely end, whatever fate has befallen her.”“Are you saying I should just give up, or hope that she will return on her own?” said Imlen angrily. “Never! She is my last companion. While her fate remains unknown, I will seek her. I will not give up – ”“Of course I would not keep you. I only meant that you should be cautious and be prepared for the worst," Morok calmly interrupted Imlen's rant. “Have you forgotten that I lost my last companion and never learned what happened to him? Has Turaga Siok really been gone for so long?”“No... I have not forgotten,” said Imlen. “I am sorry, Turaga.”“And I'm sorry I implied that you should stay,” apologized Morok. “But heed my words: to not go too far to find her, or you will – ”Morok stopped suddenly and sniffed the air. Imlen did too, and he smelled it: the smoke of burning jungle. A clamor began in the village below, and as he darted out of the hut, he collided with a Matoran that had been running to alert the Turaga. The Matoran did not need to say anything, however, for it was clear what was happening. A blaze stretched from the northwest to just outside the village, and Matoran were frantically trying to extinguish the fire as it approached the living barrier encircling the village. With pitchers of water they held it off for half a minute, but then many Rahkshi, Visorak, and soldiers bearing torches came forth from the surrounding foliage. Imlen hurled a ball of plasma to delay the Brotherhood minions while the Matoran retreated into the village, but five of Morok's people were quickly killed.“You stay here, Turaga,” said Imlen as Morok stared in shock from the threshold of his hut. “I will... well, I will do what I can.”With that, Imlen ran off to look for a way down to the battle. Quickly, he found a vine and slid down it as fast as he could without injuring himself at the bottom. The situation looked very bad. He saw a dozen Rahkshi, about a hundred Visorak, and fifty soldiers. Some of the soldiers dropped their torches carelessly, others threw them with all their strength at distant targets, and others seemed to carefully ignite the points where the fire would spread most. The Matoran were unable to prevent their living wall from catching fire, but it proved to be remarkably resistant, and flames did not spread far across its surface. Still, it was no match for the powers of the Rahkshi and the overwhelming number of Visorak. The Makuta-Sons blasted at it from several directions while the warrior Rahi began to tear other parts of it down with their mandibles. One Rahkshi of Plant Control out of the three he had seen simply used its power to part the plants, only to catch a blast of plasma from Imlen, who had been behind the wall. Imlen jumped through that gap, continuing to channel a stream of his element at the Rahkshi as he moved.That Rahkshi was quickly destroyed, but another one was right beside it, and that one was joined by three more. Imlen rolled to dodge a blast from a Panrahk and the resulting debris, then leaped to the side to narrowly avoid a Sleep ray. He pushed himself up and found himself face to face with a Rahkshi of Hunger. A jet of plasma to the face prevented the Vorahk from striking Imlen with its energy-draining staff. It faltered, and Imlen was about to follow up with a more intense burst when he caught a glimmer of green in his peripheral vision. He leaned backwards just in time for a Rhotuka to zoom overhead. Several Visorak had come to support the Rahkshi. With his bare finger, he flicked a glob of plasma into the midst of the Visorak. It hit the ground harmlessly, but distracted the Rahi for the split second he needed to get away from the Rahkshi of Hunger. As he ran for the trees surrounding the village, he lifted his staff backward over his head, pointing the head of it at the Rahkshi. The machines faltered, expecting him to channel his element behind him, but it was a feint. Just before ducking behind a wide tree, however, he redirected the staff at the group of Visorak and let out a large blast.Seven Visorak were incapacitated, but more than twice that number rushed to replace them, followed by many of the soldiers. Imlen was surprised that not all the Brotherhood forces were focusing on him, but then he heard the battle cries of the Matoran. Many of the villagers were attacking from the treetops of their village, and a group of bold defenders was actually charging the Visorak. This kept half the spider-like Rahi occupied, but it couldn't last long. Imlen would need to go to the aid of the Matoran warriors, or they would all be killed. He leaned out from behind the tree in time to see the Rahkshi of Fragmentation aiming its staff. A flare of plasma dazzled it so that it missed and only damaged the tree, and Imlen got an idea. Hoping Turaga Morok would not be too upset, he unsheathed his protosteel dagger and swung at the injured trunk. The incredibly strong and sharp metal easily cut through the wood, and Imlen shoved the falling tree forward onto the Rahkshi. The Makuta-spawn were too quick to be crushed, of course, but as they dodged they were left vulnerable to his attack, and he managed to destroy the Rahkshi of Sleep.An excellent shot from a Matoran archer struck a Lerahk in the head, and though the arrow failed to pierce its armor, it looked up in surprise. With a precise jet, Imlen melted through its knee, and as it fell he incapacitated it with another blast. He looked around, hoping to spot an opening in the assault through which he could run to the Matoran, but he was still pinned down by too many enemies. Just then, roars and other wild sounds echoed through the surrounding jungle. Many beasts came forth and fell upon the Brotherhood forces. Several Visorak and soldiers were killed before they could react, and the rest of the Rahkshi stopped pummeling the wall to face the newcomers. A great volley of arrows finished off the Visorak the Matoran had been fighting at the wall, and the survivors on the ground were joined by a surge of another twenty Matoran. As Imlen battled a Rahkshi of Heat Vision and a Rahkshi of Sonics, he saw a splash of acid catch the Panrahk in the face. The brown Rahkshi's armor dissolved and the Kraata inside fell forward and lay limp on the ground.Disconcerted by this, the Rahkshi of Sonics faltered for a fatal instant. While he wielded his staff in the other hand, Imlen lunged forward and performed a swift uppercut with his dagger. That Rahkshi collapsed in a heap of junk, but the Rahkshi of Heat Vision scored a hit, searing Imlen in the leg. As he staggered, a Rahkshi of Cyclone lifted him off the ground with a vortex of wind. Calling upon centuries of practice, Imlen managed to summon his element even as he spun uncontrollably. Channeling plasma out of the whole of his body, he sent the supercharged matter spiraling down the cyclone and into the black and white Rahkshi's staff. The Rahkshi hissed and dropped the staff as it began to glow orange and melt, and Imlen fell to the ground. He landed neatly and twirled to toss his dagger at the disarmed Rahkshi. The blade did not bury itself far enough to destroy the Rahkshi of Cyclone, but the stream of plasma Imlen released as it staggered did the job. With that Rahkshi's Kraata incinerated, he looked over his shoulder, wondering why the Rahkshi of Heat Vision had not attacked again.He saw that the yellow Rahkshi had been destroyed by the Jivri Nui, who must have also defeated the Rahkshi of Fragmentation. The King of Snakes raised its head from the dense foliage through which it slithered to hiss at Imlen in greeting. Imlen waved back and ran to the Rahi's side as the remaining Rahkshi fell upon the two of them. Several lesser snakes and other creatures came to aid them, however, and the Rahkshi were quickly outmatched. When the last of the Makuta-spawn fell, Imlen looked around to see the beasts of the jungle feasting on Visorak carcasses and fallen Brotherhood soldiers. The last of the Brotherhood minions were scattering and being hunted down by the territorial and hungry Rahi. The fire was still raging, but it had been contained, and all available Matoran were already streaming out of the village to extinguish it. Soon, it was over, but too late to prevent the blackened scar that ran from the northwestern eaves of the jungle to the village.“Amazing,” Imlen let out a breath of relief as Turaga Morok shuffled to his side. “I knew the creatures of the jungle would defend their homes, but for them to defend the village... and to turn the tide in such a way... I had thought we were doomed.”“They remember who their friends are,” said the Turaga, putting a hand on his chest. “They would have come sooner, but only just managed to defeat another attack from the opposite direction.”“It seems Makuta Teskor is finally getting serious,” said Imlen grimly.“Indeed. We will not stand for long against his full strength,” said Morok. “But I do not think we will need to anyway.”“You're right. If Mata Nui dies or if he does not, this jungle is lost either way,” said Imlen.“I would defend my home to the end, but the safety of my people comes first,” said Morok, nodding sadly. “We can lead them to new shelter... but I will not be able to remain with them. Teskor is doing this to harm me, and you, for he remembers the Toa that humiliated him. I can no longer lead my people... perhaps it would be best if I give myself up. Perhaps then, the Makuta's wrath will be sated.”“Don't say that, Turaga,” said Imlen, and he put his hand on the village elder's shoulder. “You know is not what you should do.”“I know... I just... I cannot hide again,” stammered Turaga Morok, then his expression of despair turned to one of resolve. “So I will defend this place to the end, after all. The Matoran can evacuate, but the rest of my friends – the plants and Rahi – cannot leave so easily. I will rally them, and we will fight back until we are all dead.”“Do what you must while Teskor's assaults last, Turaga, but do not stay behind while the rest of us evacuate this world,” said Imlen. “If it comes to that, gather all the seeds and sprouts you can, and guide the creatures of the jungle to the new land. You can hinder and harm the minions of the Makuta, but you will not be able to fight back against the death of the universe itself.”“Imlen, when did you start speaking like a Turaga?” Morok suddenly chuckled. “I am a confused, rambling fool, and you are level-headed and offering your wisdom! You have only been a Toa for a few hundred years, and you seem to have learned as much as I did in thirty millennia.”“You flatter me, Turaga. I still look to you for guidance – you were just counseling me before the battle. I think it will still be long before I can retire, regardless” said Imlen, smiling a little under his orange Kanohi. “Toa are needed more than ever... and besides, I have not yet found my destiny.”Review

They were allies for a long time, maybe most of their history, but Teridax's killing of Nidhiki and Krekka was seen by the Shadowed One as an unforgivable insult. I think relations were also strained three hundred years before that, when Teridax attempted to have the Dark Hunters he hired to guard the Mask of Light executed for their failure.