Characters and groups in Bionicle

In the fictional universe of LEGO BIONICLE, multiple species, races, and other groups exist. Some are good, some are pure evil, and some just work for whoever pays the most. This list of groups covers every race, species, and group within the universe; it also covers individuals that do not neatly fit into any group. They are sorted by alignment.

Creation

The character names are "reminiscent of Polynesian names and the elemental..." ["Cultural Heritage Tug of War: Balancing Preservation Interests and Commercial Rights," "DePaul L. Rev." 53 (2003).]

The Matoran Race

The Matoran are the chosen people of the Great Spirit Mata Nui [Matoran are described as being "granted special status" in the Shadowed One's entry in the "Bionicle: Dark Hunters" guidebook.] and the most common race in the Bionicle world. Though most of the time "Matoran" refers to small workers, it can be extended to the warrior Toa and elder Turaga that Matoran can sometimes become. Regardless, all wear Kanohi Masks and have some degree of elemental power.

Matoran

The Matoran are a race of small workers. Their elemental energies manifest as minor physical enhancements, and they cannot activate the powers of Kanohi Masks that they wear (most wear masks with no powers at all). Though they are among the weakest races, they are a very brave people and will fight to the last for their homes and lives. They make up for their physical disadvantages by being builders; able to create fortresses, weapons, defense machines and whatever other tools they need. The Matoran live by the three virtues that Mata Nui gave them: Unity, Duty, and Destiny.

Mata Nui/Metru Nui

The Matoran residents of Mata and Metru Nui.

Ta-Matoran

The Ta-Matoran inhabit Ta-Metru of Metru Nui and Ta-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Aft
*Agni
*Aodhan
*Brander
*Jaller: Jaller was originally a toolmaker on Metru Nui, and friends with fellow maskmaker Vakama and tradesman and toolmaker Takua, and was known as Jala. Upon his arrival in Mata Nui, his Kanohi was damaged and replaced by Lhikan's Noble Hau, and thus was referenced in Turaga Vakama's tales of Lhii, who was "in the clan of Jaller". Becoming a main figure in Bionicle storyline, he became the right-hand man of his respected Turaga. He assisted in the construction of Ta-Koro, and was appointed to Captain of the Ta-Koro Guard, brave and courageous as a Toa. [Farshley, G (2007): "Bionicle Encyclopedia: Updated Edition", Scholastic, under "Jaller", p.49.]
*Kapura
*Kalama
*Keahi
*Maglya
*Nuhrii
*Takua
*Tiribomba
*Vakama
*Vohon

Ga-Matoran

The Ga-Matoran inhabit Ga-Metru of Metru Nui and Ga-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Amaya
*Hahli
*Kai
*Kailani
*Kotu
*Macku
*Marka
*Nireta
*Nixie
*Nokama
*Okoth
*Pelagia
*Shasa
*Vhisola

Po-Matoran

The Po-Matoran inhabit Po-Metru of Metru Nui and Po-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Ahkmou
*Ally
*Bour
*Epena
*Gadjati
*Golyo
*Hafu
*Hewkii
*Kamen
*Kivi
*Kodan
*Onewa
*Pekka
*Piatra

Le-Matoran

The Le-Matoran inhabit Le-Metru of Metru Nui and Le-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Boreas
*Kongu
*Kumo
*Makani
*Matau
*Orkahm
*Sanso
*Shu
*Taiku
*Tamaru
*Tuuli
*Vira

Ko-Matoran

The Ko-Matoran inhabit Ko-Metru of Metru Nui and Ko-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Arktinen
*Ehrye
*Ihu
*Jaa
*Jaatikko
*Kantai
*Kokkan
*Kopeke
*Kylma
*Lumi
*Matoro
*Nuju
*Pakastaa
*Talvi
*Toudo
*mazeka

Onu-Matoran

The Onu-Matoran inhabit Onu-Metru of Metru Nui and Onu-Koro of Mata Nui.
*Aiyetoro
*Akamu
*Azibo
*Damek
*Dosne
*Kaj
*Mamoru
*Mavrah
*Midak
*Nuparu
*Onepu
*Taipu
*Tehutti
*Whenua
*Zemya

Toa

"See main article: Toa (Bionicle)."

Toa are members of the Matoran Race. A destined Matoran, using Toa Stones, transform to Toa, the heroes and primary antagonists of BIONICLE. They serve as the public heroes of the Great Spirit Mata Nui. They wield the power of elements. Once numerous, the Brotherhood of Makuta and the Dark Hunters have severely cut their ranks.

Turaga

When a Toa fulfills his/her destiny, they may have to choose to give up their power for the greater good. When this happens, they turn into Turaga, elders that use the wisdom they gained as Toa to lead the Matoran. Their elemental powers are minimal and rarely used, and they can access the powers of weaker Noble Kanohi Masks.

Mata Nui Turaga

Vakama

The wise elder and Turaga of Fire of Ta-Koro and now Ta-Metru.

Nokama

Matau

Onewa

Whenua

Nuju

Other Turaga

Dume

Lhikan

Jovan

Great Beings

Matoran legend says that the Great Spirit Mata Nui was sent by the even more powerful Great Beings. Almost nothing is known about them, but where Mata Nui is said to protect the universe, the Great Beings are said to "create" universes. Since putting Mata Nui in charge, they have not paid much attention to this universe and are unaware that Mata Nui is unconscious and dying.

Although Great Beings are more powerful than Great Spirits, they are less physically strong. It is also known that there is an entity or number of entities even more powerful than the Great Beings who created the Bionicle Planet for the Great Beings to create universes in.

The Great Beings have left behind several artifacts and beings for specific purposes; such beings include Umbra, the Bohrok, and the Bahrag.

They bear similarities to the Valar of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.

Great Spirit Mata Nui

The Great Spirit Mata Nui is the guardian of the universe, and represents all that is good. He is said to have brought the Matoran out of darkness and given them the three virtues of Unity, Duty, and Destiny. Unfortunately, a "spell" from the Makuta of Metru Nui rendered him unconscious and unable to attend to the universe's well-being. He was even dying. After a long quest, Toa Matoro gave his life to save Mata Nui using the Mask of Life. Mata Nui was also recently revealed to have a physical body, which is over 700,000 feet tall.

The Great Spirit Mata Nui is not to be confused with the island of Mata Nui, named in the Great Spirit's honor.

Mata Nui is not the only Great Spirit but one of an entire race of Great Spirits. Fact|date=October 2008 The only known Great Spirit is Mata Nui. The Great Spirits are similar to the Maiar from the works of JRR Tolkien whose mythos has had something of an influence on Bionicle.

Creations

Bohrok

The Bohrok are mechanical, beetle-like creatures, the Bohrok are a race of drones driven by Krana. Existing only for a singular purpose, they will do anything and everything to fulfill the mission of cleaning the island of Mata Nui. Unfortunately, Makuta woke them early and they began this "cleaning" job while Matoran were still living there. The Toa Nuva stopped this rampage, but then had to face six elite Bohrok-Kal that tried to release the swarms again after the Bohrok-Kal stole the Toa's elemental powers.

Now that the island is uninhabited, the Bohrok are now free to fulfill their duties.

*The six main breeds of Bohrok are Tahnok, Gahlok, Lehvak, Pahrak, Nuhvok, and Kohrak.

Bohrok Va

The "assistants" of the Bohrok.

*The main breeds are helped by Bohrok Va: Tahnok Va, Gahlok Va, Lehvak Va, Pahrak Va, Nuhvok Va and Kohrak Va.

Bahrag

The Bahrag are the leaders of the Bohrok, also known as the Bohrok Queens.

Created by the Great Beings to guide the Bohrok and cleanse the island of Mata Nui whenever and if ever necessary, they were awakened by Teridax prematurely, and unleashed their forces onto Mata Nui. Although they did not know of the Matoran's presence on the island, they attempted to avoid them, but confrontations began between them, ending in their attempt to assimilate the Matoran of Le-Koro into the swarms.

Eventually, they fought the Toa Mata and the Exo-Toa, and were imprisoned, and even the Bohrok-Kal were unsuccessful as rescuers. Ironically, they were unleashed by their nemesis Toa Mata, now the Toa Nuva, as per the request of a list of necessary tasks to awaken the Great Spirit Mata Nui.

Bohrok-Kal

A elite breed of Bohrok, the Bohrok-Kal are a group of sentient Bohrok that were created by the Bahrag to free them to re-release the swarms, and were destroyed. However, their Krana-Kal survived.

*One of each breed has been mutated into an elite Bohrok-Kal: Tahnok-Kal, Gahlok-Kal, Lehvak-Kal, Pahrak-Kal, Nuhvok-Kal, and Kohrak-Kal.

Umbra

Yet another guardian of the Ignika, he was created prior to the Order, by the Great Beings, to guard the Ignika. He battled the Toa Inika on their journey, and defeating him, Umbra knew they were powerful enough to claim the mask, and were destined to. He now currently awaits the Ignika's return. Umbra possesses a Laser Lance and light powers, but can transform himself in a bolt of light, but does not possess as much light power as Toa of Light. He also is armed with wheels on his feet to skate and attack foes, and a Rhotuka that projects solid light.

Karzahni

Karzahni was the tyrannical ruler of a hellish domain where Matoran who worked poorly were sent to. According to ancient legend, Matoran once labored in darkness, but those who excelled at their tasks were sent to Artakha where they would work in the light. If Matoran laboured poorly in Artakha, they would be sentenced to the realm of Karzahni who had the power to make the victim see an alternate future, usually a frightening one.Six Matoran captured (not sentenced) escaped but in that encounter, Karzahni learned of the Great Spirit Mata Nui and Makuta, beings who Karzahni would have neither known nor cared about. Deciding to seize power, Karzahni rose from his realm into Mahri Nui and there did battle with Toa Lesovikk and later Teridax who vanquished the tyrant by tearing his mind to shreds. Karzahni was later banished to the Pit by Botar.Since then, his kingdom has been destroyed and the Matoran freed.Karzahni carried a flaming chain and a mask with the appearance of four welded together.

Tren Krom

"Tren Krom" is a powerful entity created by the Great Beings to take care of the Matoran Universe but when he was no longer needed and the time came for him to relinquish his post. He, like the similar character Irnakk, is widely regarded to be nothing more than a myth by most of the Universe, a story made up to frighten children into behaving but few dare approach his island.

In "The Mutran Chronicles", an online story available at BionicleStory.com, it is revealed that prior to the events of the Bionicle story, the Brotherhood of Makuta (a set of evil shapeshifters who play the role of the main antagonist in Bionicle) sent Mutran to Krom's island to learn if he was a threat. Krom proved to be an unspeakably malignant being while his mind was even more terrifying than his appearance. Upon meeting Mutran, Krom looked into his mind and discovered something in there that interested him though Mutran himself was quite oblivious to whatever that might have been. Nevertheless the usually fearless Mutran was driven slightly mad by his encounter with Krom. Mutran was quite deranged even before his meeting with Krom but the encounter did nothing for his sanity (or lack thereof). When Krom looked into Mutran's mind, Mutran saw into his and gained a greater understanding of the Universe and gave the knowledge he had acquired to Makuta Teridax, the arch-villain of Bionicle, who using the information Mutran had given him, formulated the idea of overthrowing the Great Spirit Mata Nui, setting the events of the story in motion.

According to Bionicle author Greg Farshtey, Tren Krom was inspired by the character Cthulhu from HP Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos". Krom is said to be so hideous that too look upon him causes madness, a common Lovecraft plot-device. Mutran and Brutaka's team are presumably the only characters in the story other than the Great Beings to have met Tren Krom in person and describes him as having a face covered in barbed tentacles though he remembers little else. He also comments that Krom has a voice so terrifying that it makes Teridax's voice sound "lilting and sweet."

Notably, there is another Tren Krom in a different part of the series. Tren Krom is the name of a lava flow near Ta-koro.

Artakha

Karzahni's brother, Artakha was the ruler of a mythical island where Matoran crafters were dispatched to work in safety. The Toa Nuva "met" Artakha before they were transported to Karda Nui, but did not actually see him.

Order of Mata Nui

"See main article: Order of Mata Nui (Bionicle)"

The Order of Mata Nui is an organization within the BIONICLE storyline that serves the Great Spirit Mata Nui. They were originally known as the Hand of Artakha, before they disbanded. Toa Helryx, the leader of the Order, later recruited a new organization to serve the Great Spirit where the Toa could not. They operate secretively, guarding artifacts and dispatching universal threats to the Pit. With the escalation of events in Bionicle Legends, Helryx ordered a Destiny War against the Brotherhood, withdrawing members and discussing alliances with the Skakdi, Toa Hagah, and the Dark Hunters in preparation.

Brotherhood of Makuta

"See main article: Brotherhood of Makuta (Bionicle)"

The Brotherhood of Makuta are a massive faction led by the Makuta species, a sect of evil and sadistic shapeshifters. They were tasked by the Great Spirit Mata Nui to populate the BIONICLE world with Rahi, but later took on larger universal roles. They were initially led by Makuta Miserix, who was overthrown in favor of Makuta Teridax and his "Plan" to overthrow the Great Spirit Mata Nui. The Makuta species command the Brotherhood, formed of armies such as the Visorak and the Rahkshi. The Makuta are noted for their task force they sent Karda Nui to transform the Av-Matoran into Shadow Matoran.

Teridax

"See main article: Makuta Teridax (Bionicle)"

Teridax is the leader of the Brotherhood of Makuta. He was previously Miserix's lieutenant, and using Makuta Mutran's intellect, conjured a "Plan" to overthrow the Great Spirit and take command of the Brotherhood. He brought the Great Spirit to a coma, masqueraded as Turaga Dume in a plot to enslave the Matoran, await the arrival of the Toa Mata, and keep them from awakening the Great Spirit. His body was destroyed by Toa Takanuva, and as Antidermis influenced the events of Bionicle Legends in preparation of the final stages of the "Plan", including taking over the robotic body of Maxilos.

Dark Hunters

The Dark Hunters are an organization of bounty hunters. Led by the Shadowed One, an ancient being of formidable power, the Dark Hunters are generally evil, but they will work for whoever pays the most, regardless of what side they're on.

The most prominent members of the Dark Hunters are the Shadowed One, Sentrakh, Voporak, Lariska, Nidhiki, and Krekka. The former Viceroy of the Visorak, Roodaka, has also had extensive dealings with the Hunters. Other Dark Hunters are Amphibax, Ancient, Charger, Conjurer, Dweller, Eliminator, Firedracax, Gladiator, Guardian, Lurker, Poison, Primal, Prototype, Ravager, Savage, Seeker, Shadow Stealer, Spinner, Subterranean, Tracker, Tyrant, and Vanisher.

Piraka

The Piraka are a group of Skakdi who abandoned the Dark Hunters to search for the Mask of Life and claim it for themselves. However, each one plans to betray the others and take sole possession of the mask. They have come to the island of Voya Nui, where the mask is hidden, and have enslaved most of the Matoran living there. After the Toa Inika claimed the Mask of Life and freed the Matoran, the Piraka are now on Daxia.

The Piraka are Hakann, Vezok, Zaktan, Avak, Reidak, and Thok; a being spawned from Vezok named Vezon is considered a "seventh Piraka" but operates independently. Related to the Piraka is Irnakk, a monster from Skakdi mythology, who is brought to life to guard the Ignika.

Barraki

The Barraki are powerful warlords who led a military alliance called the League of the Six Kingdoms in conquests until the Order of Mata Nui banished them to a prison known as the Pit. Now that the Pit has flooded and become part of the ocean, the Barraki have mutated into forms like those of sea monsters and formed new armies of local aquatic life. With the Mask of Life entering their domain, they seek to use it to return to their air-breathing forms and re-conquer the surface world.

The Barraki are Kalmah, Takadox, Ehlek, Carapar, Mantax, and Pridak. They also have a neighbour named Nocturn who was sent to the pit because of breaking his island in to two.

Carapar was killed when he tried to attack Tren Krom while traveling with Brutaka and his group. Tren Krom shot an energy bolt from his eye that reduced Carapar to a mere pile of fragments.

Other Species

Vortixx

The Vortixx are a species from the island of Xia.

Skakdi

The Skakdi are a species from the island of Zakaz.

Rahi

Rahi is the Matoran word for "wildlife". Many different species of Rahi exist, all in different shapes and sizes.

Famous individual Rahi include Fenrakk, Ka, Kardas, Krahka, Keetongu, Nivawk, the Rahi Nui, Pewku, and Tahtorak.

Vahki

Vahki were robots designed to be the enforcers of order on Metru Nui. They cannot be reasoned with and they will not listen to excuses; those chased by the Vahki only have the options of "surrender or run".

Most Vahki were destroyed in the Great Cataclysm, and the rest fell in the following Visorak invasion. However, the blast of power during the Great Cataclysm gave Vahki the ability to speak (from a power surge into the chargers where a few select Vahki were charging until the time when they were destroyed by the Visorak.

There are six different models of Vahki for each of the city's metru(districts): Nuurakh, Bordakh, Vorzakh, Zadakh, Rorzakh, and Keerakh. Also, there are two elite types of Vahki, the Kranua and the Kraahu; and a group of failed Kralhi prototypes ('Nuparu's folly', as Nuju later put it.)'

Kralhi

Kralhi were robotic entities that were made as an enforcement squad before the Vahki were created. They, like Vahki were extremely hard to make excuses and reason with and punished Matoran wrongdoers. This way of punishing was sending a bubble of energy at the misbehaving Matoran and thus weakening him or her by draining his/her energy. Turaga Dume decided to retire these from service due to the fact that victims of the Kralhi were rendered too weak to work. However, the Kralhi flatly refused to be shut down and many went into hiding.

Controversy

Several of the names listed above are also used by real-world Polynesians fighting to liberate Mata Nui, which has caused Maori representatives to accuse Lego of "cultural and linguistic piracy" and Lego to negotiate with these representatives "to develop a Code of Conduct with Maori..." [Atsic, Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, AustralianInstitute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, "Treaty: Let's Get it Right! : a Collection of Essays from ATSIC's Treaty ..." (Aboriginal Studies Press, 2003), [http://books.google.com/books?id=fUZJEejUeukC&pg=PA69&dq=Bionicle+characters&ei=GHGLSM79DZTyiwHX4IG7Dw&sig=ACfU3U3VLLpFlrdz4BQrSDqQLYfvXI3Ing#PPA69,M1 69] .]

References