Matoran

From Lego Bionicle franchise, the Matoran are the "average people" of the Bionicle world. The Matoran have a work based culture and uphold many virtues, primarily Unity, Duty and Destiny. Although not one of Bionicle's strongest races, Matoran are the most common and possibly the most influential, seeing as most all intelligent beings speak the Matoran language. The Matoran are also the chosen people of the universe's protector, the Great Spirit Mata Nui.

Certain destined Matoran have special power hidden within them; when this power is unleashed the Matoran transform into a heroic Toa warrior with increased physical strength and elemental power.

Matoran Tribes

Matoran are classified whichever element they are affiliated with. So far, more than seven elements are identified, though there are even more in existence; we know this because Matoran do not change elemental type upon becoming Toa, yet there are Toa of other elements besides the main six.

The following section mainly describes the six tribes of Matoran that live in the city of Metru Nui and the two tribes in Karda Nui. Despite the possibility that several more tribes of Matoran lived together on Voya Nui, none of these other tribes have been shown or described. While physical aspects like armor color and elemental types can be assumed to apply to all Matoran, things like jobs and general attitudes of Metru Nui Matoran may be different in other Matoran communities and should not be assumed to be the same. (The two Karda Nui tribes, as far as is known, live only in that location.)

Ta-Matoran wear red and yellow, and sometimes black and orange. Having the element of fire, they have a natural resistance to the extreme heat of their forges. They tend to be diligent and responsible; focusing on the virtue of Duty and its principle of Courage. Most were employed in Metru Nui as forgers, making useful tools from molten protodermis; the best forged Kanoka Disks into Kanohi Masks. On Mata Nui they were lava farmers (directing lava where it would be useful) and members of the Ta-Koro Guard; they also enjoy lava surfing in their spare time.

Onu-Matoran wear blacks and greys, as well as tan, orange, and purple. As Matoran of the earth they spend a lot of time underground, so their eyes have adapted to see in little light (however, they are easily blinded by bright lights). They tend to put their faith in the past and what can be learned from it. The main Onu-Matoran virtues are Duty and Destiny, and the principle they get from the virtues is Prosperity. In Metru Nui, Onu-Matoran started out as miners before moving their way up to working the Archives. On Mata Nui, mining has become the main job; they also now have the Ussalry — a defense force that rides Ussal crabs as their steeds.

Ga-Matoran are in all shades of blue. These water Matoran live on the shores of the sea, so they have a sleeker build, better lung capacity, and other physical advantages for swimming. Ga-Matoran are exclusively female (while the other major tribes are composed entirely of males). They are by nature peaceful and friendly, meditating on the virtue of Unity and its principle of Purity. In Metru Nui, about half of the Ga-Matoran were teachers and the other half were students; the best were promoted to work on protodermis purification. On Mata Nui, they are mostly boaters and fishermen.

Le-Matoran are in shades of green, and occasionally turquoise blue. Air Matoran have the heightened agility and reflexes needed to avoid high-speed crashes in the transport chutes. They love thrills and dangerous sports, leading them to take crazy risks; they also enjoy a good practical joke. The main virtues they follow are Unity and Duty, and from them they derive the principle of Faith. Metru Nui Le-Matoran are noted for what is called "chutespeak" ("treespeak" on Mata Nui), a form of slang that generally combines two words into one ("happyjoy" or "Toa-hero"). Le-Matoran were responsible for nearly all transport in Metru Nui: they flew airships, maintained chutes, and drove land transports; the only transport they wouldn't do was boats, as they hate water. On Mata Nui, they are known for their squadron of Gukko birds that they ride into battle.

Po-Matoran have shades of browns, tans, and yellows; and also black. Being stone Matoran and working with their hands often, they have great physical strength - however, they can't swim; they sink like rocks instead. They are down-to-earth and practical, not putting too much stock in what they can't see and touch. Po-Matoran focus on the virtues of Unity and Destiny, and its principle of Creation. On both Mata Nui and Metru Nui, Po-Matoran are carvers by trade, making statues and other tools that the Matoran need; it also appears that some Po-Matoran on Mata Nui are shepherds, leading herds of local Rahi.

Ko-Matoran wear white, and light shades of blue and grey. Being ice Matoran, they have a natural resistance to the extreme cold of the Knowledge Towers. Ko-Matoran are quiet to the point of being antisocial, and spend a lot of time being lost in thought, pondering the future in accordance with their main virtue of Destiny and the principle of Peace. In Metru Nui, they spent most of their time watching the stars and considering prophesies, with less experienced Ko-Matoran running errands for the more accomplished scholars; on Mata Nui they continued to ponder the future but also became trackers and trappers.

Av-Matoran are white-and-gold Matoran with the power of light, though they can use this power to alter light spectrum and make their armor appear any color they choose.General information on Av-Matoran is from the "Av-Matoran" entry, "Bionicle Encyclopedia Second Edition" Av-Matoran were the first tribe created, and as prototypes they have powers that other tribes don't; such as channeling light energy through their hands or weapons. [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49257&st=11680 Official Greg Discussion p. 293] post #11714 They can also unlock a unique power by being linked to a Toa; the Toa also benefits from this link by being able to see and learn from the Matoran's memories. Also unlike the other known tribes, Av-Matoran can be either male or female. The Brotherhood of Makuta fears the power of light, and desperately wanted these Matoran and the Mask of Light kept far away from each other so that no Toa of Light could emerge. [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49257&st=6330 Official Greg Discussion p. 212] , post #6333 Should the Av-Matoran be slaughtered, the consequences for the universe would be dire. [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49257&st=6540 Official Greg Discussion p. 219] post #6547 As a result, the Order of Mata Nui took several Av-Matoran from their homeland of Karda Nui and disguised them, scattering them throughout the world so that if Karda Nui was attacked then some would survive.

Although not an official tribe, the Brotherhood of Makuta has corrupted a number of Matoran into Shadow Matoran. These Matoran have had their light sucked out of them with Shadow Leeches, both physical (elemental Light energy, or whatever element the Matoran originally had) and metaphorical (inherent goodness). The result is a twisted, evil Matoran with the elemental power of Shadow. As most Shadow Matoran were once Av-Matoran, they have similar powers: they can create a link with a Makuta, accessing a special power and providing knowledge (though the Makuta are generally uninterested in learning anything from Matoran); and they can channel shadow energy through hands or weapons. It is unknown whether Shadow Matoran from other elements have similar abilities or not. In addition, since they are not an official tribe, there is no prefix for them.

Fe-Matoran are Matoran with the power of iron. Nothing is known of them beyond the fact that they are male [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=49257&st=10720&start=10720 Official Greg Discussion p. 269] post #10723. Their colors are unknown.

De-Matoran are Matoran with the power of sonics. They are male and are white, grey and black. They are known to have incredibly sensitive hearing and avoid talking when possible. This is why they hate loud noise and even the quietist of humming bores dirty looks (this was the main reason Krakua wanted to leave his fellow De-Matoran). Their villages are eerily quiet at all times. Only one known De-Matoran, Krakua, has become a Toa apart from one that was killed by two of the Piraka.

Little is known of the other tribes; only what can be inferred from their corresponding Toa: namely, gender and armor color. The other tribes known to exist are Gravity (male; colors unknown), Lightning (female; purple and gold), Magnetism (male; metallic grey and black), Plant Life (male; green, blue and turquoise) and Plasma (male; colors unknown).

Physical Characteristics

All Matoran are humanoid in appearance and are biomechanical, with both organic and mechanical components. Like several other races in Bionicle, they must wear special masks called Kanohi in order to remain functioning and healthy; any Matoran who loses their mask will quickly go into a coma-like state until the mask is replaced. They do not have the mental strength to activate the powers that are present in Great- and Noble-level Kanohi, but can still sense the power that is present [Bioncle Adventures #1: Mysteries of Metru Nui] . Matoran also have a little bit of power of a natural element; just enough to influence their physical abilities.

Certain details of a Matoran's appearance can differ depending on where he or she was created:
*Metru Nui: Matoran from the island-city of Metru Nui have bodies are characterized by their large, flat, triangular torsos. Also, all known Metru Nui Matoran wear one of twelve shapes of Kanohi Masks: Great Akaku, Great Pakari, Great Hau, Great Kakama, Great Kaukau, Great Miru, Noble Huna, Noble Ruru, Noble Komau, Noble Matatu, Noble Rau, and Noble Mahiki (whether "off-screen" Matoran wear different masks or not is unknown). These masks originally had silver streaks on the forehead that showed the masks were powerless, though such markings have since worn off in the storyline.
*Karda Nui: The Av-Matoran of the cave of Karda Nui appear to have thinner torsos and generally more humanlike proportions than other known Matoran. They also may be a bit taller in relation to the other tribes.

Altered Forms

In addition to the different regional variations of Matoran, several groups have been altered after their creation:

*After the Matoran of Metru Nui spent time in memory-erasing spheres, they eventually weakened and physically shrank as a side effect. In this weakened state, the Matoran had very small torsos, large two-toed feet, and gangly oversized arms. Later, their elders, the Turaga, revealed to them how they could rebuild their bodies into stronger forms that would be roughly comparable to the bodies they once had on Metru Nui. These forms were not as tall as their Metru Nui forms, but were quite a bit bulkier; and they kept the two-toed feet of their previous incarnation.

*Damaged Matoran subjected to Karzahni's "repairs" come out smaller and physically weaker than before. Most of these Matoran continue to live in the realm of Karzahni, though some now live on the southern continent.Toa Onua Nuva and Toa Lewa Nuva convinced the Matoran at Karzani to go to Metru Nui.
**Some Voya Nui Matoran were briefly exposed to mutagenic seawater, and the resulting change restored their height and strength. These Matoran are characterized by a silver shield-like chestplate, and used to live in the underwater city of Mahri Nui. Now they have been escorted up the Cord by the Toa Mahri. Axonn then brought them to caves beneath Voya Nui and braced them for it's fall. They did survive with Axonn afterwards. It has been suggested that these forms are actually more or less the original ones the Matoran had before their "repairs"; the seawater reversed Karzahni's changes and would have begun its own if the Matoran had been exposed long enough.Fact|date=August 2007

*Shadow Matoran: Matoran corrupted by the Brotherhood of Makuta have been altered through Shadow Leech attacks. The leeches attach to their bodies and mutate them into darker, meaner looking versions of themselves. All known Shadow Matoran are known to have small bat wings on their backs and clawed feet; parts of their armor have also turned black. At least some Shadow Matoran have been subjected to further mutation by Brotherhood members, such as Radiak, who now walks on four bladed legs. Known Shadow Matoran are Kirop,, Gavla, Vultraz, Radiak, and Vican(Radiak and Vican have since returned to their normal elements via the Klakk).

Communities

Artakha

Early on in history, the world's best Matoran workers were given the honor of working for the craftsman Artakha in his kingdom. However, as the realm of Artakha has scarcely been visited in the current storyline, little is known of the actual society.

Artakha's Matoran are likely of all tribes and regional variations, but nothing is known of how they interact.

Karda Nui

The homeland of the Av-Matoran has been reported as under attack by the Brotherhood of Makuta, due to a connection to the core of the universe."Brotherhood of Makuta" entry, "Bionicle Encyclopedia Second Edition" A number of Matoran have been corrupted by the Makuta into "Shadow" forms and are now working with the invaders.Info from an Australian Lego Magazine; reported [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=270688&st=0 here] and confirmed by series writer Greg Farshtey

The physical forms of the Matoran living there are unknown, but the only tribe there is the Av-Matoran and a few other matoran [Vican,Vultraz and Mazeka] and the shadow matoran.

Karzahni (formerly)

The Matoran living under Karzahni's rule were never meant to stay there permanently; he was supposed to repair them and return them to their homes. However, when his repairs proved inferior, he decided not to send them back at all. Some were sent to the desolate region around Mount Valmai (see the Voya Nui community), but most were kept in his realm. To keep the Matoran obedient, he broke their spirits by showing them disastrous alternate futures, leaving them little more than soulless husks.

Karzahni has recently left his realm to pursue plans of universal conquest. Even so, the Matoran remained in his realm; either suspecting his absence a trap or perhaps just not caring anymore. [http://www.bzpower.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=252294 Bionicle News Update] at BZPower forums, post #1 When the Toa Nuva entered the region and found the Matoran, they were able to convince them to leave Karzahni and head for Metru Nui.

Karzahni's Matoran are probably of all tribes, and there seems to be little separation between them. Regional variations, however, have all been erased thanks to Karzahni's alterations. It is likely that once they reach Metru Nui, they will be rebuilt as that city's Matoran have been.

Metru Nui

Matoran have lived in the city of Metru Nui since its founding around a hundred thousand years ago. While there have been a few emergencies and major wars in the city's history, day-to-day life was mostly peaceful, with the worst disturbance being the occasional Rahi attack. Commonplace threats like these were usually handled by the city's robotic Vahki enforcers, and later on by some Toa stationed in Metru Nui as well. By the time of the Great Cataclysm the city's population was at about a thousand Matoran, and they were led by Turaga Dume.

In the Cataclysm, the entire population was placed in Matoran Spheres that erased their memories and physically weakened them. However, the spheres did protect them from a devastating earthquake and from an invasion of Visorak soon afterward. The Toa Metru then rescued them from the ruined city and brought them to the island of Mata Nui, giving up their Toa power and becoming Turaga in the process. The Turaga led the Matoran in creating new villages, but chose to keep Metru Nui's existence a secret so as not to remind them of a home they might never see again.

After one year of peace, Makuta began enslaving local Rahi and sending them to attack. The Matoran bravely defended themselves against these threats, but as a result were kept confined to their villages and rarely were able to travel from one to another.

A thousand years later, the Toa Mata arrived and began to challenge Makuta. The Matoran aided the Toa and continued to protect themselves, even as Makuta escalated his attacks from enslaved Rahi to the Bohrok swarms. After the Bohrok were defeated, Mata Nui was at peace for a while, and the Turaga taught the Matoran how to rebuild themselves into stronger forms.

Eventually, the Mask of Light was found, and Makuta sent out the Rahkshi in response. The Rahkshi devastated the island in their search for the mask, but eventually one of the Matoran, Takua, used it to become Toa Takanuva. Takanuva faced Makuta in a climactic battle, and reopened the path to Metru Nui. The Matoran have now returned to the city and worked to restore it, with Dume as their leader once again and Takanuva as their sole guardian.

Recently, the Toa Nuva's actions have brought refugees from Karzahni to Metru Nui, and have completed the restoration. The Toa Mahri have also arrived and joined Takanuva in protecting the city.

Each of the six tribes in Metru Nui (Ta-Matoran, Onu-Matoran, Ga-Matoran, Le-Matoran, Po-Matoran, and Ko-Matoran) each lived in a separate metru (district), though visitors from other metru were common. On Mata Nui, each tribe had their own village and the Matoran rarely strayed from them.

Voya Nui

Some of the Matoran "repaired" by Karzahni were sent away into the desolate wilderness, given powerful weapons to make up for their physical shortcomings. They settled near an active volcano, Mount Valmai, and were eventually joined by Turaga Jovan who became their leader. These Matoran were secretly watched over by Axonn and Brutaka, who were stationed in the area to guard the Mask of Life.

A thousand years ago during the Great Cataclysm, the region around Mount Valmai "rocketed up" off of its continent and became an isolated island, Voya Nui, killing several (including Turaga Jovan) and stranding the survivors. At some point, the Matoran built a small city that they named "Mahri Nui", but the land it was built upon sank into the sea and all those in it at the time were presumed drowned. The survivors still throw food and gifts into the sea in memory of those lost that day.

Recently a group of six beings arrived claiming to be Toa heroes. With none having ever seen a Toa before, the Matoran accepted their claims, but a few became suspicious of their sadistic natures and discovered they were actually "Piraka" - thieves and murderers - who wanted the Mask of Life. The Piraka soon dropped their heroic act and enslaved most of the Matoran, with only the suspicious ones escaping and forming a resistance.

When the Toa Nuva arrived soon afterward, also looking for the mask, the resistance allied with them once they accepted that they really were Toa and not more pretenders. These Toa were soon captured, but another team, the Toa Inika arrived and helped the Matoran free the Piraka's slaves. Axonn and Brutaka also got involved in the fight for the mask: Axonn on the side of the Toa and Matoran, and Brutaka with the Piraka. In the end, the Matoran's allies won their battles, leaving the Piraka and Brutaka soundly defeated, and the Matoran lived in peace under Axonn's open protection.

Just before Voya Nui was cut loose from Mahri Nui, Axonn evacuated the Matoran underground, where they joined their (still-alive) undersea brethren. Voya Nui has since rejoined the mainland in its original location.

Like in Karzahni's realm, the Matoran community is made up of several tribes living together, with Karzahni's "repairs" in place of any regional attributes.

Mahri Nui (formerly)

An offshoot of the Voya Nui community, these Matoran were in the city of Mahri Nui when it sank into the sea. Though they were able to find a number of air bubbles that kept them from drowning, the trauma of the event had shattered the Matorans' memories, and any memory that could be recovered was shared and treasured. The Matoran quickly adapted to their new environment, taming Hydruka to harvest air for them and realizing that there was one safe hour a day where mysterious predators weren't active. Aiding them were "gifts from Mata Nui" that floated down from above every month. They also agreed to rotate leadership, with a new leader every month.

In the month that Defilak was leader, the Mask of Life floated down into the ocean. This prompted the predators, vicious Barraki warlords, to show themselves. Believing the Matoran to have the mask, they made attacks on Mahri Nui until they realized it wasn't in the city. A group of Toa then showed up, also looking for the mask. Although the Matoran were suspicious of the Toa - and their trying to "ally" with the Barraki didn't help - Defilak ultimately made the choice to trust them, honoring them with the name "Toa Mahri". Unfortunately, the Toa have seemingly put Mahri Nui in more danger than ever, as they sparked a war between the Barraki's armies that engulfs the entire region, and Toa Hahli has appeared to ally with one of the Barraki.

Hahli was really trying to keep the Mask of Life away from Hydraxon, and per Matoro's request, the Mahri Nui Matoran were sent to Voya Nui's underground caverns, for safety from the Barraki, and because the Cord connecting Voya and Mahri Nui needs to be destroyed so Voya Nui can return to its former spot, which is also a critical point in reviving Mata Nui. The city the Matoran labored to build was destroyed in the process, but the Matoran themselves were safe.

As on Voya Nui, Matoran of several tribes live within Mahri Nui. However, the mutagenic water has transformed them and restored the strength they had once had.

Matoran Nui

Like Toa and other Bionicle creatures, Matoran have the ability to combine into a single being, which might even be more powerful than a Toa, with a six-member combination called a Matoran Nui. This has been known to happen twice:
* Nuhrii, Tehutti, Vhisola, Orkahm, Ahkmou, and Ehrye formed a Matoran Nui to fight off the Morbuzakh, allowing the Toa Metru to reach its King Root.
* Jaller, Onepu, Macku, Kongu, Hewkii, and Matoro also made a Matoran Nui once on Mata Nui to fight a Nui-Jaga scorpion.

References

External links

* [http://www.biosector01.com/wiki/index.php?title=Matoran Matoran article on Bionicle Sector 01 Wiki]