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Exo-Kahgarak

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  1. Exo-Kahgarak
    If you're someone who's been following the story from the very beginning, you've probably noticed a change in the names of characters, places, etc. Instead of Makuta, Tahu, and Mata Nui, we have Teridax, Chirox, and Zakaz. There's also been a trend towards names referencing real-world things, such as Photok (photon), Vamprah (vampire), and even the prefixes ce- and fe-. In order to see if there actually was a trend, I compiled a list of Matoran words using the updated BIONICLE Encyclopedia, plus all major names from 2008 (the updated B.E. only goes through '07). Then, I divided this into two lists: 2001-2003 and 2006-2008 (2004 and 2005 I left out because I wasn't sure whether they use the old or new naming style, or something in between). I found the following consonant and vowel frequencies:
    'Old' Names ('01-'03)
    Consonant Frequency:
    b - 1.914%
    c - 1.435%
    d - 1.435%
    f - 1.914%
    g - 3.349%
    h - 11.005%
    j - 1.435%
    k - 20.01%
    l - 5.263%
    m - 7.416%
    n - 8.612%
    p - 3.828%
    q - not used
    r - 10.766%
    s - 2.838%
    t - 6.938%
    v - 4.545%
    w - 2.632%
    x - 0.957%
    y - 0.478%
    z - 1.196%
    In order from most common to least common: k,h,r,n,m,t,l,v,p,g,s,w,b,f,c,d,j,z,x,y.
    Vowel Frequency:
    a - 48.25%
    e - 5.5%
    i - 13.5%
    o - 14.25%
    u - 18.5%
    y - not used
    In order from most common to least common: a,u,o,i,e
    'New' Names ('06-'08)
    Consonant Frequency:
    b - 2.469%
    c - 2.469%
    d - 7.407%
    f - 1.543%
    g - 2.469%
    h - 4.63%
    j - 0.309% (I think j only ever appeared in 'Jovan')
    k - 15.432%
    l - 7.407%
    m - 4.012%
    n - 11.11%
    p - 2.778%
    q - not used
    r - 13.889%
    s - 3.395%
    t - 7.407%
    v - 4.012%
    w - not used
    x - 5.556%
    y - 0.309% (I think y was only ever used as a consonant in 'Voya Nui')
    z - 1.196%
    In order from most common to least common: k,r,n,d,l,t,x,h,m,v,s,z,p,b,c,g,f,j,y
    Vowel Frequency:
    a - 50.48% (Wow!)
    e - 9.615%
    i - 16.827%
    o - 14.423%
    u - 6.25%
    y - 2.404%
     
    While some things stayed the same (k remained the most common consonant, a remained the most common vowel [and in '06 and beyond, over half of all the vowels in names were a!], most rare letters stayed rare), some things obviously changed. l, n, r, z, a, and i all got more common; y, never before seen as a vowel, now became used almost exclusively as one; m, once one of the top 5 consonants, dropped down to 9th place. The most obvious changes, however, are these:
    D, once very rarely used, became one of the top 5 consonants
    X, once the second-least-common consonant, shot up to 7th place
    E, once the rarest of the vowels, is now squarely in the middle
    H, once the second-most-common consonant, dropped all the way down to 8th, lower than x!
    K, once one out of every 5 consonants[!], is barely more common than r and n.
    U, once solidly the second-most-common vowel, is now by far the least common (other than y).

    On a somewhat related topic, I then used these percentages to make a program to generate Matoran-sounding names ('01-'03 style). The first four words it generated were:
    Wuhe
    Koda
    Zasu
    Jabu

    Not bad!
  2. Exo-Kahgarak
    Since 2004, BIONICLE has been a clear example that there really isn't a clear line between science-fiction and fantasy. Up through 2003, BIONICLE was fairly obviously pure fantasy. There was no attempt to explain Kanohi or elemental powers as science; they were simply magical powers. Then came Metru Nui. While more science fantasy than science fiction (airships, Kanoka, etc. were not intended to work using Earth physics), it was the first real attempt to 'explain' the powers and abilities the characters had. The only thing remotely close before this was the energized protodermis used to transform the Toa Mata into the Nuva. Then, in 2004, everything was protodermis of one type or another, so everything could be explained away. Even in '06-'08, when the setting was much more fantasy (or perhaps post-apocalyptic sci-fi), a quasi-scientific explanation was attached to everything. In '09 and on, it was almost entirely fantasy... yet it was still labeled science fiction. And herein lies the problem. Claiming things work because of an unexplained substance with completely unknown and, at times, blatantly fantasy-like (ex. energized protodermis acting differently on things depending on their destiny) properties is no better than simply claiming things work because of magic. No attempt has been made to explain protodermis, and no such attempt shall ever be made. There are systems of magic more rigid in their rules than protodermis! To pull an example out of the air, how about Brandon Sanderson's Final Empire series? [spoilers ahead for those who haven't read the Final Empire books] There are three distinct classes of magic: Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy. If you're an Allomancer, you can swallow metals and 'burn' them to give certain powers (somewhat like Kanohi, but they run out eventually and you have to find new metals). If you're a Feruchemist, you store physical or mental attributes in metals to use later. And Hemalurgy can give regular people Allomantic or Feruchemical powers. But could any BIONICLE fan give you a list of exactly what purified or energized protodermis can do? Do we know anything about how they work other than a list of powers consisting of hundreds of radically different powers? Is there any logic, any scientific basis at all for BIONICLE physics? Or is it just a jumbled collection of fantasy powers labeled as sci-fi to look cool?
     
    [Note: this is not intended to malign either BIONICLE or fantasy in general. I have nothing against fantasy; I simply disliked BIONICLE labeling itself as science fiction.]
  3. Exo-Kahgarak

    The Matoran Language

    By Exo-Kahgarak,

    If you're someone who's been following the story from the very beginning, you've probably noticed a change in the names of characters, places, etc. Instead of Makuta, Tahu, and Mata Nui, we have Teridax, Chirox, and Zakaz. There's also been a trend towards names referencing real-world things, such as Photok (photon), Vamprah (vampire), and even the prefixes ce- and fe-. In order to see if there actually was a trend, I compiled a list of Matoran words using the updated BIONICLE Encyclopedia, plus all major names from 2008 (the updated B.E. only goes through '07). Then, I divided this into two lists: 2001-2003 and 2006-2008 (2004 and 2005 I left out because I wasn't sure whether they use the old or new naming style, or something in between). I found the following consonant and vowel frequencies:
    'Old' Names ('01-'03)
    Consonant Frequency:
    b - 1.914%
    c - 1.435%
    d - 1.435%
    f - 1.914%
    g - 3.349%
    h - 11.005%
    j - 1.435%
    k - 20.01%
    l - 5.263%
    m - 7.416%
    n - 8.612%
    p - 3.828%
    q - not used
    r - 10.766%
    s - 2.838%
    t - 6.938%
    v - 4.545%
    w - 2.632%
    x - 0.957%
    y - 0.478%
    z - 1.196%
    In order from most common to least common: k,h,r,n,m,t,l,v,p,g,s,w,b,f,c,d,j,z,x,y.
    Vowel Frequency:
    a - 48.25%
    e - 5.5%
    i - 13.5%
    o - 14.25%
    u - 18.5%
    y - not used
    In order from most common to least common: a,u,o,i,e
    'New' Names ('06-'08)
    Consonant Frequency:
    b - 2.469%
    c - 2.469%
    d - 7.407%
    f - 1.543%
    g - 2.469%
    h - 4.63%
    j - 0.309% (I think j only ever appeared in 'Jovan')
    k - 15.432%
    l - 7.407%
    m - 4.012%
    n - 11.11%
    p - 2.778%
    q - not used
    r - 13.889%
    s - 3.395%
    t - 7.407%
    v - 4.012%
    w - not used
    x - 5.556%
    y - 0.309% (I think y was only ever used as a consonant in 'Voya Nui')
    z - 1.196%
    In order from most common to least common: k,r,n,d,l,t,x,h,m,v,s,z,p,b,c,g,f,j,y
    Vowel Frequency:
    a - 50.48% (Wow!)
    e - 9.615%
    i - 16.827%
    o - 14.423%
    u - 6.25%
    y - 2.404%
     
    While some things stayed the same (k remained the most common consonant, a remained the most common vowel [and in '06 and beyond, over half of all the vowels in names were a!], most rare letters stayed rare), some things obviously changed. l, n, r, z, a, and i all got more common; y, never before seen as a vowel, now became used almost exclusively as one; m, once one of the top 5 consonants, dropped down to 9th place. The most obvious changes, however, are these:
    D, once very rarely used, became one of the top 5 consonants
    X, once the second-least-common consonant, shot up to 7th place
    E, once the rarest of the vowels, is now squarely in the middle
    H, once the second-most-common consonant, dropped all the way down to 8th, lower than x!
    K, once one out of every 5 consonants[!], is barely more common than r and n.
    U, once solidly the second-most-common vowel, is now by far the least common (other than y).

    On a somewhat related topic, I then used these percentages to make a program to generate Matoran-sounding names ('01-'03 style). The first four words it generated were:
    Wuhe
    Koda
    Zasu
    Jabu

    Not bad!
  4. Exo-Kahgarak

    Technology Levels

    By Exo-Kahgarak,

    Despite the fact that BIONICLE is not sci-fi (see my previous post), it certainly has some advanced technology running on magic (e.g. the giant spacefaring planet-sized robots shooting laser beams). In this post, I will attempt to classify the civilizations' level of technology. For lack of a better system, I will use the GURPS (Generic Universal Role Playing System; a table-top RPG similar to D&D, but more sci-fi than fantasy) technology levels system. A brief overview:
    TL 0 -- Stone Age; clubs, rocks
    TL 1 -- Bronze Age; wheeled vehicles, bronze weaponry
    TL 2 -- Iron Age; waterwheel, iron weaponry
    TL 3 -- Medieval; steel weaponry, sailing ships
    TL 4 -- Age of Exploration; gunpowder
    TL 5 -- Industrial Revolution; steam engine
    TL 6 -- Mechanized Age; basic TVs, basic calculators
    TL 7 -- Nuclear Age; computers, basic lasers, miniaturized technology, nuclear fission
    TL 8 -- Microscience; genetic engineering, tiny machines, basic nuclear fusion, basic AI (modern Earth is around TL 7.9)
    TL 9 -- Nanoscience; localized terraforming, nanotechnology, moderate AI, fully-developed nuclear fusion
    TL 10 -- Robotic Age; advanced AI, handheld lasers, energy beams, gravity control
    TL 11 -- Exotic Matter; altering the structure of atoms, faster-than-light spaceflight
    TL 12 -- Age of Miracles; almost omnipotent
    Of course, to some degree, elemental powers can be expressed here (note that Toa of Gravity have some aspects of TL 10 by themselves). And here are the civilizations:
    Spherus Magna, pre-Great Beings: Considering we know practically nothing here, this is tricky. The Great Beings probably gave them a great deal of technology. Category: TL 2.
    Great Beings: Annona says that the Great Beings were not native to Spherus Magna, so we know that they have at least interplanetary spaceflight. They seem to have no problem programming the advanced AI present in the Matoran Universe, and they gave Mata Nui lasers, energy beams, and gravity control, so the Great Beings are easily TL 10. Considering that they created protodermis and they might well have FTL (faster-than-light) travel, I'll say Category: TL 10.9 [considering that they've had 100,000 years to develop since we last saw them, they're probably beyond even this now].
    Spherus Magna, with Great Beings: The Agori seem to have skipped right over gunpowder and landed in TL 5 levels at least, not counting the elementally-powered weapons they have. I'll say mid-level TL 5.
    Matoran Universe, pre-Great Cataclysm: The Matoran also seem to have skipped over gunpowder (and paper, and wheels), but given the complex Vahki and Exo-Toa created, I'd say Category: TL 8.9.
    Matoran Universe, post-Great Cataclysm: On Mata Nui, the Matoran are at best TL 1. Other places seem to have suffer less damage, but it's hard to tell what's actual technology being created and what's a relic from pre-Cataclysm times. Voya Nui and Mahri Nui, besides the powered weapons they've since before the Great Cataclysm, seem at best TL 1. The Brotherhood and the Order still seem to have at least TL 8 technology (the Brotherhood apparently genetically engineered the Shadow Leeches, and the Order seems on par with the Brotherhood as far as technology goes). Category: TL 1-8, depending on region [wow!].
    Bara Magna (post-Shattering): Pretty much everything they have, down through steel weaponry, is simply a patched-up version of something pre-Shattering. Category: TL 1.9.
    Great Spirit Robot (individually!): maintaining advanced AI? Check [well, it's heavily implied that Mata Nui could have if he so desired]. Laser beams? Check. Super-powerful energy beams? Check. Gravity control? Check. Category: TL 10. [at least. They may well be as high as TL 11, potentially surpassing even the Great Beings.]

    What use is this? I don't know. It is interesting to note, however, that while places like Mata and Voya Nui lost almost 8 technology levels in the Great Cataclysm, other places (such as Daxia or Destral) barely lost 1 TL. It's also possible that the BoM and the OoMN were only then, 1000 years later, getting back to TL 8 levels; they could have been as low as TL 4 in the first few years after the Great Cataclysm. Also, note that Spherus Magna literally exploding only took the Bara Magnans down a little over 3 levels (and it's heavily implied that no major advances were made post-Shattering), while the Great Cataclysm took the Matoran down 8 levels in some places. I suppose the higher you are, the harder you fall...
  5. Exo-Kahgarak
    Firstly, I find it necessary to announce: BZPower is back! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (just in case you were on bzpower without knowing it). As part of the celebration, I shall, as my first ever blog entry, release to your viewing (dis)pleasure the Destral Dictionary. However, this is no ordinary dictionary! The idea comes from Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary (except this has more BIONICLE-nessitude): It attempts to satirically define the terms within. With that said, here it is:

    The Destral Dictionary:
     
     
    Agori -- Like Matoran, but spelled differently.
     
    Aqua Magna -- Sucked away all of the water from Spherus Magna after the Shattering.
     
    Avohkii -- Extremely shiny Mask of Transforming Takua Into Takanuva.
     
    Bara Magna -- When the Great Beings left Spherus Magna prior to the shattering, they carefully manipulated the planet’s geology so that everything bad about Spherus Magna would coalesce into this one planet.
     
    Barraki -- A group of warlords whose war against Mahri Nui would have been much more effective if they could have figured out how to fire those stupid squid launchers.
     
    Baterra -- Apparently the best solution the Great Beings could come up with to a 6-way civil war on Spherus Magna was to kill everyone involved.
     
    Berix -- He may appear to be one of the weakest Agori, but he is trained in the ancient art of ‘Defeating Multiple Skrall at Once While Armed With Only a Shield and While Atop a Wildly Bucking Rock Steed’.
     
    Bohrok -- Antibacterial soap with an attitude.
     
    Bota Magna -- Home of ninja alien robot dinos. You see, Spherus Magna was originally composed of 1/3 sand, 1/3 water, and 1/3 awesomeness. The sand went into Bara Magna, the water went into Aqua Magna, and the awesomeness went into Bota Magna.
     
    Elemental Powers -- The Great Beings originally intended to include the powers of fire, water, earth, air, stone, ice, magnetism, jungle, plasma, gravity, lightning, sonics, iron, psionics, light, shadow, life, time, creation, and happiness. They forgot one.
     
    Glatorian -- A group of elite fighters and commandoes who battle each other to the death for minimum wage.
     
    Golden Armor -- Armor which has the power to slaughter thousands of defenseless Rahkshi and Kraata. Our Heroes’ valiant quest for the armor was an epic journey spanning at least fifteen minutes.
     
    Great Beings -- A group of beings dedicated to SCIENCE. They made giant toy robots on weekends, the first of which exploded and the second of which ran away and explored the universe (See: Mata Nui). They included a failsafe for rebellions by Toa, Kraata, Rahkshi, Bohrok, Matoran, Turaga, small colorful birds, rodents of unusual size, and the general ‘Failsafe Guaranteed to Stop All Rebellions, Except Those Caused By Makuta’ or FGSARETCBM for short.
     
    Great Spirit -- Matoran title used for a giant robot.
     
    Hakann -- Tried to quadruple-cross the Zyglak while triple-crossing the Piraka, but ended up failing when his double-cross of the Dark Hunters went awry.
     
    Hero Factory -- 1) The most despicable scum LEGO has ever spewed forth. 2) The obvious superior to BIONICLE in every possible way.
     
    Hewkii -- A great and noble hero best known for his stunning and completely unexpected victory in Kolhii over the Onu-Matoran to win the championship for the fifth time in a row. Also did something minor involving Voya Nui and the Mask of Life.
     
    Ignika -- 1) A mask which is rather important due to its extreme shininess. It enjoys running away from those who need it most and fleeing into the most dangerous places in the universe. It has the capability to end the universe in case the bad guys get it, the neutral guys get it, it breaks, the good guys take too long to get it, or if bad stuff goes on in general. 2) The Mask of Being a Plot Device.
     
    Iron Tribe -- An unfairly persecuted tribe. In his famous ‘I Don’t Have a Dream’ speech, Telluris claimed that he wanted to see the day when all the orange little boys and girls could play with all the green little boys and girls and hopefully not get killed by Bone Hunters, Skopio, Skrall, Baterra, sandstorms, or falling legendary Kanohi.
     
    Kanohi -- Powerful and ancient Masks of Power available at most retailers for a few bucks per pack.
     
    Karzahni -- Ancient being considered insane by a universe he considers insane.
     
    Kiina -- WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! !!! !!!
     
    Kranua -- One might question why such powerful, well-armed police-robots are necessary for an island which appears to have been peaceful for many thousands of years. One might then quietly disappear and be buried secretly in an unmarked grave.
     
    Lava Farmer -- Slaves forced to work 16 hours a day in dangerous conditions and make philosophical comments about the values of Courage.
     
    Madu -- A fruit remarkably similar in size, shape, and intelligence to a Matoran’s head.
     
    Mata Nui -- 1) The largest and most powerful of all the giant toy robots created by the Great Beings in their quest for SCIENCE. It is considered a proof of the existence of Murphy’s Law. Some Matoran scientists subscribe to the Quantum Messed-Up Worlds Theory, which proposes that the massive gravity of Mata Nui’s body bends probability to the extent that only bad things can happen within a 1000-mile radius. 2) The face of the above.
     
    Matoro -- OEZ NOEZ MATORO DIEZ!111
     
    Metru Nui -- An island which, given a sizable mercenary army for defense, could have controlled the universe due to its monopoly on energy. Instead, it had one Toa for defense, who was easily swept aside by the Dark Hunters sent by Teridax to help him take over.
     
    Mohtrek -- Amazingly powerful Great Mask of Schizophrenia
     
    Olisi -- Quasi-Legendary Great Mask of Hallucinogens
     
    Onewa -- Former Toa of Unhelpful Snide Comments
     
    Order of Mata Nui -- Organization which is definitely not overpowered and invincible; as proof, remember that once, one member defected and he almost defeated another member before rejoining. I think they almost lost a battle a few times . . . maybe?
     
    Pridak -- Either a) the first BIONICLE set to have bloodstains, or b ) the first BIONICLE set to have blood-red paint in imitation of bloodstains.
     
    Protodermis -- Like magic, but SCIENCE.
     
    Rahi -- Matoran word for 'animal' or 'something obviously not an animal but we have no clue what it is so let's just call it a Rahi or something, okay?'
     
    Red Star -- Once the oldest and most ancient of mysteries. Turned out to be Mata Nui’s jetpack.
     
    Skakdi -- Species more powerful than the most powerful Toa (though less powerful than an average Toa, especially one with lightning powers), which has been in a civil war on a single island for thousands of years and yet still consists of thousands of beings.
     
    Skrall -- Group of beings who are worse at fighting the closer Mata Nui gets to them.
     
    Spikit -- Capable of devouring you twice as quickly as most other Bara Magna creatures due to its two heads.
     
    Spiny Stone Ape -- It's this Rahi ape . . . and it looks like a stone . . . and it's spiny.
     
    Tahtorak -- A species of 40-foot tall lizards immune to nearly all forms of attack, who often wade across oceans, which is apparently too unimportant to hear about after ’05. Can talk, but is apparently unaware that the answer is 42.
     
    Tahu -- Was into the Vahi before it was cool.
     
    Takanuva -- SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! Is actually Takua.
     
    Teridax -- 1) Because he is made entirely of energy, he is immune to nearly all forms of attack except being hit by a moon. 2) The Great Evil Master Dark One of Shadows.
     
    The Plan -- That which is mentioned vaguely in ominous tones to inspire mystery.
     
    Three Virtues -- 1) Myth propogated by the Turaga as part of their scheme to take complete control of the universe (See: Turaga). 2) Me, myself, and I.
     
    Toa -- A subspecies of Matoran, similar to Toa but taller. Propaganda from the Turaga claims they have magical powers.
     
    Toa Mahri -- A group of villains who go around torturing marine Rahi for fun.
     
    Toa Mistika -- Apparently created to disprove the 'ugly is evil' stereotype.
     
    Toa Nuva -- A group of Toa who get beaten up to show how awesomely powerful the new bad guys are.
     
    Toa Tools -- Like weapons, but used by the good guys.
     
    Tren Krom -- Cthulhu v0.1.
     
    Tuma -- Former leader of the Skrall, who was killed knocked unconscious in his battle to the death unconsciousness with Mata Nui. He is definitely not dead, not even a little bit, because that would mean a character dies in a movie and that would make parents mad.
     
    Turaga -- The real power behind the throne behind the power behind the throne in the Matoran Universe. These diminutive, manipulative beings have managed to control everything that happens in the Matoran Universe for thousands of years, ordering around the much more powerful Toa and much more numerous Matoran with impunity. They set up the Makuta rebellion purposely, so that Mata Nui would be ejected to Bara Magna, where the Turaga knew he would find the prototype robot to defeat Teridax. They also knew that Mata Nui would remake Spherus Magna into a paradise, allowing them totalitarian rule over an entire planet . . . forever.
     
    Umbra -- The only one who has discovered the magical device known as the ‘wheel’.
     
    Vahi -- All the cool kids used to have it, but now it has apparently been forgotten.
     
    Vahki -- The people it’s okay to kill because they’re actually machines.
     
    Vakama -- Was so worried that his incompetence would lead to the death of his team that he decided to kill his team.
     
    Vezon -- 1) The only one who knows what’s actually going on. Has recently learned to think with portals. 2) The Matoran word for ‘one-half of a person created by an ancient and mysterious weapon of the Makuta’.
     
    Virus -- Something that does something to something living . . . or something.
     
    Visorak -- A group of spider-like creatures so powerful that only 10,000 of them managed to hold their own against an assault by 5 Toa, 6 Rahaga, and a Rahi.
     
    Voya Nui -- The Doomy Doom Island of Evil, Treachery, Doom, Death, and Destruction. Tours of Voya Nui run every Tuesday and Thursday.
     
    Vuata Maca -- If you’ve been into BIONICLE from the beginning, this is one of those older-style names without all the z’s and x’s that makes you sigh and think nostalgically back on the good ol’ days, though you can’t quite remember what the term refers to. If you haven’t been into BIONICLE from the beginning, it’s some obscure term you’ve never heard of.
     
    Xia -- Like Los Angeles, but less polluted.
     
    Zaktan -- Who needs limbs when you have LAZORZ?
     
    Zivon -- Unstoppable monster of absolute and total doom and destruction which the Brotherhood of Makuta apparently forgot about after ’05.


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