Kalama and Ta Rahkshi

THUMP! The heavy Toa of Stone practically threatened to send the entire lily pad into the water as he simply let his weight drop into the chair at the bar next to the person he was looking for. It was quiet for a few minutes as the two ignored each others presence but there was no doubt they knew the other was there and that there was a reason one had sought the other out. The Toa of Stone, who went by the name of Tokain inhaled the drink the bartender had plunked in front of him. Finally he spoke in a slow gravelly voice. "So...Professor. Mmmmthis is where you've been...haaaaahanging out." The other figure didn't react. "Awwww... you still aren't MAD at me I left you hanging on our last..." he paused as he sucked in a breath. "...excursion." "Don't try and sugarcoat it Tokain. You don't come looking for me unless you need me. Spit it out." The Toa spat before chucking. A sound like rocks threatening to start tumbling into a landslide. "Knew the was a reason I kept you around buddy." "Tokain." The other said warningly. "Mmmmrumor is a recent...excavation was going on in Po-Wahi before the site was seized by Yorlonda's people." "Lemme guess. Po-Koro want's it back." "Nnnno actually... The Onu-Koroan's were the one with the claim to it. They could care less about the site. They wanted someone to... liberate... some of the artifacts from our good Lady Yorlonda." "And by liberate they mean race them to the heart where the goods are and snatch them first." "I'm willing tuh cut you in. 60-40 Kalama." "70-30." The Matoran known as Kalama pushed the bandana up from over his eyes and held up the mug. "My way." Tokain chuckled again. "You drive a hard bargain. Deal...Professor." He clanked his glass against the Matoran's.

The more things change. The more they stay the same. XDName: KalamaAppearance: Green Miru with a red cloth tied around the top of it, Gold eyes, Onu-Matoran body, Ga-Matoran legs.Species: MatoranGender: MaleWeapons: Two mysterious faceplate shields of unknown origin, Self carved survivalist knife, Natural Onu-Matoran strength with his own bare fists, a cunning survivalist mindset.Alignment: Ga-KoroPersonality: Typically good natured and helpful, Out to prove that you don't have to be a Toa to fight something bigger than you are... and win.History: LITERALLY came into being a few days after the Founding of Ga-Koro after the Great Rescue, he could be considered the youngest Matoran to walk Mata-Nui. Shortly after he was discovered, Turaga Nokama took him in as her adopted son. There he was raised among the Ga-Matoran. He vanished during the Second Great Tarakava Raid in which over 26 Tarakava raided Ga-Koro driven by the Madness of Makuta's Infection. He was never seen again, thought to be taken prisoner by the Makuta until days after Gali had arrived in Ga-Koro. Recounting events he claimed to have been dragged underwater by a Tarakava who was preparing to kill the Matoran when suddenly out of nowhere what appeared to be a Nui-Jaga's stinger struck the Tarakava. Blinded by the sudden release of poison he swam about helplessly before something gently gripped his arm in a mouth and dragged him onto land. To this day he swears it was a Nui-Jaga but this has been laughed off and the islanders believe another Tarakava attacked the first knocking out Kalama who floated away while the two were fighting.Regardless of how he got away, he ended up on the near inaccessible Northern Peninsula of Po-Wahi. Forced to survive or die he became a skilled Wayfinder and Rahi Hunter. He traveled the island bitten by wanderlust curious as by what it took to survive the harshest the island had to offer along with what it took to bring down the greatest Rahi threats to the island. During this time he became obsessed with Nui-Jaga probably due to how he thinks he was rescued and studied them extensively. He can even communicate with them in their own language having once successfully persuaded one of the beasts to go after what it thought was a rival in a pool of water while the Matoran escaped. He desires to capture and tame one for a companion. Recently he discovered and tracked a Nui-Jaga across the coast of the island. This "Sea-Jaga", he calls it, rarely travels inland preferring to stick to the water, is what he believes to be the same Jaga that saved him from the Tarakava. He is determined to make this Jaga his companion, as soon as he can actually find it...As a self taught survivalist he can survive in even the most desolate hostile environments and can jury-rig a number of useful survival tools from odds and ends. While exploring caves along the Northern Peninsula he came across a pair of what appeared to be large face plates from an unknown creature with some kind of symbol on them. Whatever they came from they quickly make an excellent pair of large heavy shields as well as adhoc throwing discs. Combined with his Onu-matoran strength he has found little need for other weaponry besides his survival knife and his bare hands. A number of hard earned lessons were learned in the wilderness in which he barely escaped with his life making him a skilled fighter and Rahi Hunter. This eventually gave him the confidence that even Matoran could stand up to something many times their size making his personal motto: "The Bigger they are, the Harder they fall." He's rumored to have even taken on a pair of Manas and won but no evidence has been found to support this claim.While in the desert he started hearing whispers in his head that only he can hear. He thought it was delusion brought on by dehydration of the harsh desert but the voice stuck with him whispering of a greater destiny. The voice doesn't seem malevolent so he believes it's not the Makuta. After the Toa descended into the Mangaia he started having dreams about a Silver Miru, something called a "Black Box," and a large robotic being crashing down on a lush forested planet as if being shut down and just collapsing there. The Matoran laugh at these dreams while the Turaga believe they are prophetic involving some great event in the future Kalama must play a part in.He typically stays in Ga-Koro for longer periods of time presumably because it's his home Koro. Often he'll head out just to check on how the other Koros are doing, pit his wits against the wilderness, or follow up on a lead involving the "Sea-Jaga."Weakness(es): As a Matoran he can get easily knocked around by bigger and stronger beings. His confidence and need to prove himself in the eyes of larger beings can sometimes get him into situations "over his head" ( ../forum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif ). This need to prove himself can result in a refusal to back down even when he's outclassed or badly beaten meaning he's slow on the retreat resulting in the serious risk of his own life. He is very protective of Ga-Koro and eager to take care of business when he believes the Koro and it's inhabitants are threatened regardless of who it is ("I don't care who started it! I'll FINISH IT!"). Gets distracted by Nui-Jaga. Dislikes Tarakava.And yet... I find myself in awe of the smell of fresh plywood and paint...Kalama's Raiders (NPC Marines):Lei: Navigator, Ruru, can read the winds better than any Le-Koroan, speaks tree-speak too.Rank: Corporal“Greetings sir! Lei the Navigator and Tree-speaker at your service!”Lei is a very playful Ga-Koroan much to the chagrin of the other Marines. It’s joked she’s actually a blue female Le-Koroan. Still she’s a capable fighter and her upbeat attitude is quite infectious making her a very welcome and lively addition to any group. She’s very agile and acrobatic making it difficult to hit her. Her preferred method of fighting involves jumping around the battlefield making it hard to hit her while she lashes out with a chain she carries as a whip. She’s very talented with her weapon of choice and can do more than just whip her opponents. Lei was cross-trained by the Le-Koro Gukko Air Force in flying Kahu, Gukko, and Nui-Kopen. She slips into tree-speak when nervous or frightened. Lei has a thing for Le-Koroans and strictly dates the Air Matoran alone.Hotu: Deck hand, Pakari, not an Onu-matoran but strong as a Kane-Ra. Also an excellent shot with a cannon.Rank: Lance Corporal, Corporal“So you’re the Pirate Nokama is up in arms about! Hehe. I’ll have fun keeping you in line.”Hotu is the youngest of three children and the daughter of Master Chief Petty Officer Lanora “The Merciless.” Lei and her were best friends during ‘Marina’ or Marine Basic Training. They continue their friendship to this day. Hotu can often get smart mouthed with her superiors which gives her a reputation of being a troublemaker. Her sister Thessa is the Commanding Officer of Rockwall while her brother Dren is an Elite Guardsman in the Ta-Koro Guard. Hotu, like Thessa, is bigger than the average Ga-Koroan making her naturally stronger. Hotu likes to brawl with her bare fists but isn’t a bad shot with ranged weaponry ether. Hotu is a Natural Born Strength Augmented Marine meaning her Strength Augmentation is of Master Level while the rest of her talents are only Mid. Hotu isn’t very agile so she relies on her mass to shrug off attacks that would normally crush the average Marine.Juno: Helmswoman, Rau, Saltier then the ocean itself, sailed through more typhoons then you are old.Rank: Chief Petty Officer*spits on the deck before moving to her station*Juno is one of the oldest Marines and is very quiet unless she feels the need to speak. She spent most of her assignments in Ko-Koro and is one of the few Marines that can actually stand to work with the Ko-Koro Arctic Watch. Her father was a Ko-Koroan which may explain why Juno seems to fit in so well with the silent Ice Matoran. Juno was cross-trained by the Arctic Watch making her more prepared to deal with the icy Ko-Wahi wastes. Juno is a solid well rounded Marine with enough experience to make her one of the more dangerous threats to her adversaries. She typically oversees the lower enlisted during combat freeing up the Officers to do their job. In her off time, Juno likes to make clay sculptures and dioramas of battles she’s fought.Nuraka: Shipwright, Komau, no one more familiar then ships and their workings or so I’ve been told.Rank: Chief Midshipwoman 3^rd Class“You call this a SHIP? I call this a SHIPWRECK! This won’t do at all! She’s getting a major overhaul right this second!”Nuraka is a very proud Shipwright and doesn’t really trust the work of any shipwright other than herself. She is however one of the premiere shipwrights in Ga-Koro and she knows it. Don’t ever argue with her because she’s usually right. Nuraka has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about Makuta and anything having to deal with him which can sometimes make her an unbearable hothead. Secretly she terrified of returning to that awful place enmeshed in the Makuta’s mind, completely aware of herself and everything around her but unable to control her actions. When she was captured during the Third Great Tarakava raid and forced to wear an infected mask she still remembers the horrible deeds her body committed until she was freed by the Original Marines. She never wants to live through that again and can freak out if she thinks she’s going back which causes her to attack anything and anyone she thinks is too close to her. Nuraka’s tools often double as her weapons. She favors a welding laser and a drill.Kalienthia “Kali”: First mate, Miru, Nothing gets past this Ga-Koroan unless she wishes it.Rank: Helm Major“Greetings sir. Kalama tells me you are the captain for this voyage. Just say what needs to be done and consider it that.”Kali as she’s known by is one of the Seven Original Marines. Her mother, Solanis, disappeared during the Second Great Tarakava Raid and was not found. Solanis was the only one who called Kali by her actual name of Kalienthia. Upon formal graduation of Officer’s Academy her grandparents gifted her with a protosteel blade they got from a friend who owed them a favor. She treasures this blade with a reverence reserved as if it were for her lost mother and guards it jealously. Kali was one of the first Ga-Koroans born on Mata-Nui and grew up with Kalama as his oldest childhood friend. Kali has a deep crush on Kalama. Though she denies it when confronted, she gets very jealous when other females show interest in him. Despite all this, Kalama remains aloof and oblivious to any advances (probably due to growing up in an all female village) which both relieves and frustrates Kali to no end. Though she denies her feelings to others, Kali is determined to get Kalama to notice her as a member of the opposite gender. As “The Slicer” of the 7 Original Marines, Kali is a Master Level Marine Class and specializes in swordplay. Swords, knives, daggers, rapiers, kitchenware, if it’s considered a blade she cannot be beaten in a straight fight while wielding it. Once she took on Tahu, Kopaka, and Lewa all at the same time and beat all three. After that they used their elemental powers to win against her. She fights using her Protosteel blade and a normal steel katana. Kali is often serious while performing her Marine duties but off duty she can be a relaxed easy going Ga-Koroan everyone is familiar with and enjoys reading while sunbathing.Nala: Night watch, Hau, WAKE UP NALA! “FOUR AM AND ALL IS WELL FIRST MATE!!!” Nocturnal, not even the Makuta himself can frighten her in the dark.Rank: Honorary*yawn* “Hullo captain… where’s the bunks? I’ll see you at sundown…”Nala is a ShadowWalker, the BIONICLE equivalent of a ninja. Nala is also one of the oldest of the group and is a very lovely looking Matoran. She’s aware of this and isn’t afraid of using her charm to get her way while performing her ShadowWalker duties. Nala is often asleep during the day using the cover of night to perform her secretive acts of the mysterious ShadowWalker Order. Nala has a set of protosteel trenchknives (combat knives with spiked knucklers on the handle that flip down keeping the knives in her hands while she uses them) she was given during her time in the Matoran Civil War before the Time Skip that precluded the Great Cataclysm. ShadowWalkers are not easily separated from their weapons which is why Nala still has her prized trenchknives despite undergoing two memory wipes. Both times her memory of the ShadowWalkers were erased but like all of them she found her way back to it. As a ShadowWalker Nala is not an official Marine but holds the title of Honorary so she can accompany the Marines and is considered ranked below Private. Nala loves to play mind games and loves to tease and poke others just so she can watch their reaction. Nala has a deep affection for paintings and can get somewhat sidetracked to appreciate them and doesn’t like it when paintings are hidden away where they cannot be enjoyed by everyone. She herself is a painter when not being a mild Night Watch or performing daring stunts as a ShadowWalker and is only too thrilled to be asked to paint something for display.Maya: Fisherwoman and Doctor, Kakama, swears by Ruki-oil but that’s not the only thing in her arsenal of medicine. Mean shot with a spear or a harpoon too.Rank: Head Chief Midshipwoman“Hello sir! Do you know how many aliments that the wondrous Ruki can cure?”Maya is one of the Original Marines. Maya is usually even tempered and often the voice of reason for the group. She enjoys her work as a Doctor often fussing over her patients like they were her own children and nothing makes her happier than seeing a smiling patient on the way to recovery. Maya fights using spears and her disc. She often kicks things (usually wooden objects) breaking them off into makeshift javelins if she’s thrown her spear or harpoon. She hates seeing her fellow Marines wounded and may be reluctant to assist a known adversary. As an Original Marine Maya “The Mystic” is credited with the discovery of ‘Aura’ and is a Master Level Aura User. Maya is the only Aura User capable of Regeneration meaning she can heal wounds without cleaning and preparation without ill effects to the injured party or reattach missing limbs. She cannot regrow missing organs or limbs and she cannot bring back those who died. Short of disembowelment and decapitation, Maya is known to heal just about anything. Worried that her skills would make her a target she disguises these miracles by feeding her patients Ruki Oil claiming it’s a miraculous substance responsible for the miracles only she can perform with Aura other Aura Users can’t. It’s bitter taste helps dismiss all but the most desperate of cases. Maya was gifted with a Protosteel tipped scalpel she needed to save the life of a smither’s grandson. The smith let her keep it as a gift for saving his grandson’s life. Maya fondly calls this tool “Mama’s little helper.”Yuni: Mess cook, Matatu, you name it she can make it, providing she has the vittles, watch out for the frying pan and the rolling pin, she’s an excellent hit.Rank: Gunnery Sergeant“DOUF Yer a skinny lad! Tat woon’t due at all! Ah kin see Ah’ve gut me wurk cut oot fer me! Take me too yer larder’s at woonce laddie and be quik aboot it!”Yuni is a very strange Ga-Koroan as her accent can make her somewhat hard to understand but she’s friendly when she’s not lording over the kitchen like a Great Being or assaulting ‘Heretics’ that speak ill of Mata-Nui in her presence. Yuni loves cooking and trying out new dishes on her fellow Marines which can get mixed results. Any unit that has Yuni never goes hungry as she has the ability to stretch food supplies until they scream. They also come across as well fed, brawny, and courageous making them often a feared opponent of raiders and pirates who are quick to turn and flee if they get wind the cook is aboard a vessel coming at them. Yuni herself can be a handful to deal with as she uses her own kitchenware as a devastating arsenal and is a match for most swords with her frying pan. The strangest thing she’s ever done was swordfight some raider’s mount that was trained to wield a sword using her frying pan. To this day the other Marines still think it’s a tall tale embellished for entertainment but it actually happened causing Yuni to favor her (surprisingly effective) frying pan over a blade. Yuni is a Mata-Nui Fanatic who holds Mata-Nui in the highest regard and violently attacks anyone who doesn’t share that view. This causes her to get left behind on some diplomatic missions.Of course to those who know. Our little group isn't complete without our shy Toa of Water.Tanuka, Toa of Water, Kaukau, spear and shield, a young shy Toa who idolizes Nokama and Gali and has lived a somewhat sheltered life inside of Ga-Koro. She overheard me talking to Kali and decided that she wanted to accompany her idol’s son on her first big adventure. She’s a little nervous and somewhat inexperienced so be nice.Rank: None*bows her head looking at her feet rocking back and forth with her hands behind her back* “Hi… Kalama said I could come if… if that was okay… with everyone…”Tanuka was once a shy timid Matoran scholar of no real significance who was happy with her safe orderly life. One day however something called out to her from an undersea cave. Unable to resist she went inside amazed at the history written on the walls of another land entirely. However when she went further in she triggered some kind of trap that sealed her in the rear most part of the cave where it was dark and the rocks inside twinkled like stars almost as if she was trapped in the night sky. In a terrified panic she raced around trying to find a way out when she stepped of an edge but instead of falling down she flew sideways and floated around now FEELING trapped in space with no solid ground beneath her feet unable to tell which way she was falling. The rather peaceful nightmare was too much for the poor Matoran and she blacked out. She woke up to the feeling of something tugging at her finding Kalama pestering her as she was sprawled on the Ga-Koro beach. To her surprise and fear she’d been changed by her experience somehow into a Toa. Like all Toa transformations where the Toa’s appearance matches what the Matoran considers a Toa to look like, she became the splitting image of Gali. The only difference is instead of Gali’s Sea Hooks she had a spear and a Scutum type shield. The fearful Toa barricaded herself inside her old hut for weeks. The entire village managed to coax her out of hiding showing her that while her appearance may have changed she was still the same Tanuka. She took up her old scholarly duties and resumed her normal life only now as a Toa of Water. However her new Toa nature caused her to be unhappy at this simple scholarly life calling to her to become a much needed heroine in a dark time. Still uncertain of her abilities she overheard Kalama talking to Kali and thought she would be much safer learning how to be a hero under the protection of a group of much more established veteran warriors. Much to her surprise and joy, Kalama agreed to let her come along. Tanuka is a little unsure of herself but she draws on the confidence of having experienced allies to assist her as she learns what it means to be a Toa. Maya helps her with training in her given weapons and she quickly proved to be a natural with her elemental powers giving her a measure of confidence in her abilities. Even though she’s a Toa, Tanuka is still a scholar at heart and is quickly learning to love adventuring out, experiencing and learning new things she’s never known before.4th Gukko Irregular's Squad: A squad of non-Le-Matoran who serve in the Civil Defence side of the Gukko Force, The Gukko Irregulars. They're used like cheap cannon fodder. However this squad has survived all odds due to superb skill and unwavering loyalty to each other. They view non squad members with suspicion.A detailed description of her or her appearance: Standard Blue Ga-Matoran with KakamaWeakness(es): As a Matoran, is smaller and weaker than almost everything around her, fondness for fudge,Name: KylinaSpecies: Ga-MatoranGender: FemalePowers and/or weapons: Dual DaggersAlignment: GoodPersonality: Intelligent, Sassy, and pretty much calls the shots due to unwavering loyalty from the other three members. Loyal to her Squadmates having been through thick and thin with them throught the Rahi wars.History: Joined the Irregulars because she liked the feeling of flying and there was supposedly less chance of dying as opposed to the Marines.Anything else deemed necessary: Excellent trick shot with discs. Good at scavanging things. Second of Tawk and "Sporky".A detailed description of her or her appearance: Standard Ta-Matoran red with HunaWeakness(es): As a Matoran is smaller and weaker than everything else, gets flustered when girls other than Kylina talk to him,Name: XavierSpecies: MatoranGender: MalePowers and/or weapons: Throwing knifesAlignment: GoodPersonality: Good natured, soft spoken, and doesn't lose his temper easily.History: Joined the Irregulars because he didn’t like the stiff serious attitude of Ta-Koro.Anything else deemed necessary: Resident Handyman of the 4th Irregulars. Helps the maintain the birds' equipment. Second to Mawl and "Scruffy". Dead eye with discs.A detailed description of her or her appearance: Black legs and purple body and arms with a black Ruru.Weakness(es): As a Matoran, is smaller and weaker than everything else, likes to sleep in.Name: TawkSpecies: MatoranGender: MalePowers and/or weapons: PickaxeAlignment: GoodPersonality: Pranskster like his twin brother Mawl, teases Kylina by pretending to serve her every whim, like to drink "Blustery Cyclone" at the Leaky DrumHistory: Joined the Irregulars because he doesn’t like mining and his brother joined.Anything else deemed necessary: Handles outfitting of the birds. Pilots "Sporky" with exceptional skill. Can play the bongos.A detailed description of her or her appearance: Black legs and purple body like his brother except he wears a black KauKau.Weakness(es): As a Matoran, is smaller and weaker than everything else, dislikes most authority.Name: MawlSpecies: MatoranGender: MalePowers and/or weapons: SpadeAlignment: GoodPersonality: Prankster like his twin brother Tawk, teases Kylina by pretending to serve her every whim, enjoys playing his cymbols.History: Joined the Irregulars to ‘stick it to Whenua’ and his brother also joined.Anything else deemed necessary: Pilots "Scruffy" with superb skill. Serves as the Irregulars alarm clock as he is an early riser and loves to use his cymbols to wake people up.