Gathered friends, listen again to our legend of the Bionicle. In a time before time, we, the Matoran, were driven from our home. Lost and unprotected, the six Turaga lead us in the Great Exodus. Finally, the wall was passed, and a great land was found. Here we built our city, our home, of Kongero Nui.
Once every year, the citizens of Kongero Nui gather to watch the Red Star pass low on the northern horizon. Long has it been said that the light of the Red Star brings prosperity to the Matoran of the land. Legends also speak of the city's birth, and the mythical Toa stone that was brought with the first passing of the Red Star. Long has it been guarded, and the very existence of a Toa stone, let alone a Toa, have faded into the realm of myth and fairytale. Hello! Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. To state the obvious, I'm looking to make an RP based on Bionicle (the 2001 to 2010 version, not the 2016-2017 reboot) with about six players. For those who may not know, Bionicle is a LEGO imprint line of buildable figures. The general premise is a world of biomechanical/cyborg life. So like, the animals, called Rahi, the normal people, the heroes, they're all mostly mechanical, with biological cores, for the most part(certain entities appear to be entirely mechanical), and still need to eat, but don't reproduce. Despite the sweeping story of the original story, it had some compelling characters, and interesting stakes, despite its 100,000 year timescale. That's what I'm hoping to capture here- interesting characters doing things a bit bigger than themselves, with a not-so-small chance of messing up. Oh, and because I have a few different ideas, this is going to be a more simple/straightforward "chapter", to establish characters and the world. Later, the subsequent chapters may be handled by others who are interested as GM's, while I act more as a guide, as I have a general outline in mind, but new ideas are always welcome. Oh, and here's something interesting; When a Matoran transforms into a Toa, they become what their mental image of a Toa is. That being the case, we don't need to have a unified aesthetic as Toa, since none of the characters have seen one. Let's get into it, shall we?
Congro- A word in the Matoran Language meaning Collection. Kongero- A conjugation of Congro that reiterates on collection. Nui- "Great" in the Matoran Language. Metru- "City" in the Matoran Language. Kanohi- "Mask" in the Matoran language. Mata- "Spirit" in the Matoran Language. Rahi- Literally meaning "Not us", it's the Matoran word used to describe various simple beasts. Val Mai- An expletive similar to 'hell'.
Matoran: Common folk of Kongero Nui. They each have a mild Elemental Affinity. Without their masks, they become comatose, and are sure to perish. Turaga: Wise leaders with elemental control and the ability to use Mask Powers to some effect. Legend says that some Turaga were once Toa who completed their Destiny. Toa: A legendary hero of considerable height. They are able to harness and generate elemental powers, had the use of powerful tools, and could use the unfettered might of Great Kanohi Masks. They are bound by the Great Spirit's three virtues of Unity, Duty, and Destiny. With few exceptions, they were able to generate, absorb, and manipulate their respective element with unknown potential. It is said that Six Toa of different elements were able to generate pure Protodermis- the cornerstone of the biological components of life. Mata Nui- The Great Spirit who created the Matoran.
The City
Ta-Congro Where the passionate, productive Ta-Matoran make their hearth, this area houses the fiery smokestacks and factories of Kongero Nui. Materials are brought from the northern sectors of the city and fashioned into various goods. A thin layer of soot coats the simple streets; thick walled stone houses harkening to a bygone era where the inhabitants of the city lived in a volcanic crater. The mountains that back Ta-Congro are a constant reminder of the land whence they came, With the conditions inside the work-floors only matched by the Ta-Matoran’s fiery tempers, these citizens are the first to call for action in most matters.
Ga-Congro Thin walled houses raised on pillars of wood are the scattered homes of the Ga-Matoran. Jetties and docks line the coast where fishing boats are sent out in the morning and haul their catches of sea creatures at sunset. Despite the bogged down ground and oppressive scent of fish, the Ga-Matoran spend their days happily and simply, swimming in the shallows of the kelp beds from which many soft-lines are made, including the fishing lines they use. Most residents of Kongero Nui only know Ga-Congro for its fish market, but beyond the misty facade is a land where beauty is much appreciated. In fact, much of the art that finds its way into a display case is at least in part from Ga-Congro.
Le-Congro The deep jungles to the north of the Kongero Nui are home to the wind-riding Le-Matoran. Dense foliage and high mountains swirling with constant, warm breezes are a veritable playground, when you ride the broad winged giant birds that live there that is. Due to its isolation, inhabitants of Le-Congro have developed unique ways of thinking and speaking. Those who travel into the city’s center are often poets, artists, or designers, and, in fact, much of the city’s methods of transportation have Le-Matoran to thank.
Onu-Congro Amongst the very bones of the city, the sturdy Onu-Matoran delve ever deeper. They shape and work the very earth, drawing from it ores and minerals to the surface. Steeped in mystery, Onu-Congro is rarely visited by the ‘surface dwellers’, and the Onu-Matoran are often the subject of superstition in that regard, however, many brilliant and technical minds have come from the land below.
Po-Congro The deserts to the south of the city’s center are home to the Po-Matoran. Traditionally stoneworkers, much of the mechwork that makes it into the city, whether for transportation, defense, or personal ease, was made by Po-Matoran hands. The expansive, although mostly uninhabited desert that surrounds the small village like clusters of houses is used for a variety of sports and games. In fact, Po-Congro is one of the few areas where there is enough space for any kind of large sporting event. Despite having helped construct it in the past, and guard it in the present, no Po-Matoran truly knows what is kept within the depths of the Po-Congro Prison.
Ko-Cogro Beneath the cloud of smoke created by the factories of Ta-Congro, a shrouded chill greets the lives of the Ko-Matoran daily. Between the city’s production and import districts, Ko-Congro contains the large chilled warehouses of Kongero Nui. Here, the Ko-Matoran are in charge of sorting, storing and distributing various boxes, crates, and containers of goods. Many of the small igloo like homes are packed into rows near smooth streets, or crammed between storage units and warehouses. Due to the nature of their work, it is not uncommon for Ko-Matoran to be injured by falling crates. This happenstance- and the risk thereof- have left many an empty building, where it is rumored any possible items of ill repute may be sold. However, what such items might be are largely left to speculation of the city’s general population.
Bo-Congro This sylvan expanse is home to the Bo-Matoran. Often differentiated from Le-Matoran by the accents of blue on their body as opposed to lime-greens or bright yellows, these villagers are ones who are attuned with nature, even in the hostile coniferous forests and autumn deepwoods of their homeland. Despite its being perceived as a lifeless waste by many of those who live in Kongeru Nui’s central areas, it is, in fact, the primary source of fresh fruits and savory vegetables for the entire city, as well as that of dangerous beasts. Those who find the metropolitan life to be too cluttered or dreary often come to Bo-Congro as a means of escape, lodging in cabins graciously and gladly provided for such occasions by the Bo-Matoran who know the land so well.
Vo-Congro A land of surging power and whipping winds, Vo-Congro is the lifeline of the city, providing all of its power needs on a daily basis.Wind turbines and power stations dot the landscape- even the ground beneath the Vo-Matoran’s feet crackles with power, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Vo-Matoran may, at a distance, look similar to Ko-Matoran, but the moment they begin to speak, even a careless observer will know the difference. Vo-Matoran live for thrills, often traveling the entire city within a span of days in search of a new activity. There exists a saying among Matoran “If you want fast, visit Vo-Congro.”- and they are likely not misinformed. A great number of the machines from Po-Congro have been driven- pulled, pushed, or dragged if need be- to Vo-Congro, where they race over the plains and steppes around their home. Between Ba-Congro and Onu-Congro, the Vo-Matoran share a sacred Protodermis well- the only source in the city- used by the Turaga to craft new Matoran in the city’s center.
Fe-Congro While the bulk of workmanship comes through Ta-Congro, finer, more top-of-the-line items are often crafted by the skillful hands of the Fe-Matoran. Because of the innate ability these Matoran have in assessing the quality of metallic items, the brunt of shops and markets are run and hosted in Fe-Congro. Despite being slightly rare and expensive, Fe-Matoran goods typically come with a variety of functions. In fact, the only truly functional weapons, like those of old, are housed, and many of them made, in Fe-Congro’s homes and shops.
Fa-Congro Fa-Congro is, oddly as it may sound, a favorite location for Vo-Matoran scrappers, both because of its central location between Po-Congro and Vo-Congro, but also because the majority of Mechanical work is performed and refined here. The Fa-Matoran work metal with ease, and take pride in their work. However, their drive and pride they take in their work often gives them the aura of a repellant personality. Despite this, they show an overwhelming warmth to those who have gained their trust.
Ba-Congro Deeper still than the foundations of Kongero Nui, the Ba-Matoran live in the spent mines within and beneath Onu-Congro, creating a unique and ethereal land of their own. With homes that hang above seemingly endless chasms, the mysterious underground inhabitants, clad in black and purple, use their positions to inform the Matoran above of many happenings of the past, and rumblings of far away. Having the ability to drift with seemingly no effort, there is often more suspicion and superstition surrounding the stable Ba-Matoran than the Onu-Matoran. While typically unnoticed, mechanisms crafted by the Ba-Matoran move with ease, and their workmanship is often found in security doors, mainly for its ability to become seemingly immovable with a simple gesture.
Su-Congro Perhaps the most distant of the Congro, the muddy, heated lowlands in the southernmost portion of Kongero Nui are home to the energetic Su-Matoran. Despite being containing the garbage disposal area for the city, the Su-Matoran live happy, energetic lives, making all the use they can out of the refuse they can salvage, melting the rest down to extract the raw materials and sending them back whence they came, or using them for themselves.
De-Congro The silent grasslands near the coast, divided from the noise and bustle of Po-Congro by a massive chasm, are where the peace loving De-Metoran make their home. Speaking in whispers, they do everything they can to remain silent, and show a distaste for anything noisy. As such, they typically are not fond of visitors, but will typically not make any shows of force due to the noise it would make. Despite this partially axenic property, De-Congro is the only area to hold a temple, specifically for public use as a place for spiritualism, concentration, research, and stargazing.
Ce-Congro While this is possibly the only area in the city that seems wholly residential, the Ce-Matoran do not seem to mind. Instead, they live their lives expanding their knowledge in many unique ways, and offering many small services to those who visit, often as businesses hosted within their homes. Despite having been an uncommon type of Matoran, the only ones who remember the Great Exodus are several elder Ce-Matoran.
The Metru
The city of Kongro-Nui is subdivided into six Metru: Ta-Metru consisting of Ta-Congro, Fe-Congro, and Vo-Congro, Ga-Metru consisting of Ga-Congro and De-Congro, Le-Metru consisting of Le-Congro and Bo-Congro, Po-Metru consisting of Po-Congro, Fa-Congro, and Su-Congro, Onu-Metru containing Onu-Congro and Ba-Congro, and Ko-Metru which consists of Ko-Congro and De-Congro. Each Metru shepherded by their respective Turaga: Kalu, Halahn, Boboro, Rekata, Gonu, and Talur.
The Turaga
Turaga Kalu is a well respected leader who conducts the meetings of the other Turaga, and works as a defacto leader. Many Matoran flock to him for advice, as he lead the Great Exodus. A stately Turaga in faded red armor, wearing a short old cape of white, with a red and blue stripe near its bottom. His mask sports a contoured forehead and two protrusions near the cheek area that point down, bent slightly backwards. While he moves slowly and carries a cane, he exudes the presence of one who has aged gracefully and with strength. His eyes glow a shimmering yellow. Turaga Halahn is a somewhat mysterious figure, with pancho-like garb, and a bulbous-eyed mask with gill like markings that obscure her mannerisms slightly. Halahn keeps a tight watch on the timing and amount of fish harvested from the ocean. While she doesn't often speak, it's often profoundly wise when she does. Turaga Boboro is an odd fellow, even among Le-Matoran, who seems to know far more than he lets on. Prone to stroking the whisker like protrusions on his mask, he seems to almost know what one is about to do before they do it. He seems to allow some of the more playful Matoran to make a game of attempting to knock him from the branches on which he stands. However, they never seem to win. Turaga Gonu is a very quiet individual. He rarely speaks his mind, so when he does speak, it seems like what he says is out of nowhere. Gonu can be a difficult taskmaster, and seems to greatly value independence. Turaga Rekata is, perhaps, the most mysterious of all the Turaga. He rarely leaves his chamber in the deepest depths below the city. Despite this, no Matoran in Onu-Metru would dare defy his will. Turaga Talur is second in respect only to Kalu, Talur gives off a cold, strict presence. He always seems to have something on his mind, and is surprisingly quick for his apparently diminished power and obvious age. The sides of his mask are almost completely worn away, revealing the mechanisms beneath in a somewhat grim manner. He walks with a cane, that also functions as a key to the many warehouses in Ko-Congro.
The Matoran
Ta-Matoran Color Scheme: Red, orange, yellow, black Elemental Power: Heat Resistance Fire Ga-Matoran Color Scheme: Shades of blue/cyan, silver Elemental Power: Greater Lung capacity, swimming-focused physiology Water Le-Matoran Color Scheme: Greens, turquoise, yellow-green Elemental Power: Enhanced Reflexes Air Po-Matoran Color Scheme: Browns, orange, light grey Elemental Power: Athleticism (inability to swim) Stone Onu-Matoran Color Scheme: Black, dark grey, purple Elemental Power: Dark Vision, Durability Earth Ko-Matoran Color Scheme: White, grey Elemental Power: Cold Temperature Resistance Ice Bo-Matoran Color Scheme: Green and Blue Elemental Power: Immunity to organic toxins Plant-life Vo-Matoran Color Scheme: Blue and white Elemental Power: Electricity Resistance Electricity Fe-Matoran Color Scheme: Metallic Grey and Burnt Orange Elemental Power: Great Endurance Iron Fa-Matoran Color Scheme: Gunmetal Grey and Black Elemental Power: Better Sense of Direction Magnetism Ba-Matoran Color Scheme: Purple and Black Elemental Power: Resist "Gravitational Pressure" Gravity Su-Matoran Color Scheme: Orange and White Elemental Power: Resistant to Heat and Sunlight Plasma De-Matoran Color Scheme: Black and Grey Elemental Power: Hyper Acute Hearing. Sonics Ce-Matoran Color Scheme: Blue, gold Elemental Power: Minds are shielded from mental intrusion Psyonics
Name: Gender: Species: Description: (Of personality, attitude, mannerisms, etc.) Appearance: -(As a Matoran) -(As a Toa) Element: Mask: (Name/Title, i.e. Kanohi Hau- Mask of Shielding. Only the current mask.) -----(Use this section to make notes about the mask, such as if it's custom, what its shape is, and what its limitations are.) Occupation: (What's the character's job? Before being a Toa, what do they do with their day?) Tools: (Describe/list the tools/weapons the character has at the current time.)
Relationships:
(How does your character know or interact with the other characters? At the start, just how they know them before they become Toa. After, put their thoughts on them now. You may write this portion in-character.)
Journal:
(If you have anything you want to write down, like character thoughts/reflections, put them here.)
Bag:
(An ordered list of what the character has on them other than weapons, if applicable. Currency is called widgets.)
Questions, comments, concerns, or input of any kind? Don't be afraid to ask. I like to think of myself as patient, and I'll do my best to help you through any confusion.
Definitely interested, but you please clarify the elements of each of the prefixes. I remember the original six (Ta-fire, Ga-water, Po-stone, Onu-earth, Ko-ice, Le-wind/air), and I think Fe is iron, but I can't remember the others. It has been years, after all.
@Sedjwick I'm fairly certain it's there. Otherwise; Bo is plantlife, Ba is gravitation, Su is Plasma, Fa is Magnetism, Vo is electricity, De is sonic, and Ce is psyonic.
@tobiax Okay, thanks, but I would suggest putting that somewhere in the OP because it isn't there. I checked the whole post, and based on the descriptions of the congro and the innate powers of the different types of Matoran, you can get kind of an idea, but it's never explicitly explained anywhere.
Still interested, and waffling between a Vo- or Ta-Matoran, or maybe a Fe-Matoran. Suffice to say, I'm in and will get to work on a CS soon.
P.S. If you're going to keep with the canon of each type of Matoran being only one gender (all Ta-Matoran male, all Ga-Matoran female, etc.), that would also be a good thing to put in the OP so people know what gender is associated with each type of Matoran. If you're going to throw out that part of the canon, though, that's totally fine.
@Sedjwick I'm not keeping that the particular type of Matoran is gendered a specific way, because that's restrictive. However, you'll find that we already have a Vo-Matoran character.
Tekhin is a rather blunt Matoran who probably shares his opinion of others a bit more then he should. He figures getting straight to the point of things is better then walking over eggshells even if it agitate others. This bluntness and seriousness of him has for the most part left the Su-Matoran with few friends. He's adjusted to the solitary lifestyle for the most part, focusing primarily on his job which keeps him busy most days with all the scrap there is that needs to get melted down. In his spare time when not melting down scrap, any interesting things that he might of found he tinkers with. While nothing probably comes from his tinkering it relaxes him.
Despite his seemingly cold shouldered nature, he can be a rather cheerful matoran, it's just a rare sight to see due to the few friends he does have.
-APPEARANCE-
Tekhin stands about average height with his fellow Su-Matoran, though perhaps a bit broader then most. His mask is orange while the upper portion of his armor on his body is mostly white with a few blacks stripes across his chest with orange hands. The armor on his legs is orange while his feet are white. The parts of him that aren't covered in armor are black. Eyes are yellow in color.
-ELEMENT-
Plasma
-MASK-
Kanohi Pakari | Mask of Strength (Powerless)
-OCCUPATION-
Tove, like numerous other Su-Matoran, is a scrap smelter. Either bartering with others for what they find among all the piles of junk, or looking himself to later smelt down what he can to sell to others or ship off. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it.
-TOOLS-
A hammer he got from a Fe-Matoran that's usually used with smithing. Being able to flatten out the smelted metals has proven useful.
-RELATIONSHIPS-
TO BE DETERMINED
-Journal-
-BAG-
Few pieces of scrap (x3) A small pouch usually for any interesting findings in junk piles (x1)
Okay, I'm gonna call dibs on the Fe-Matoran right now before someone beats me to it. I just need to get the description ironed out, and Varana should be good to go.
And, I think I'm ready to submit my character for approval.
Name: Varana Gender: male Species: Matoran Description: If you were to ask any of the Fe-Matoran about Varana, the two most frequently used terms would likely be "lazy" and "allergic to work," though Varana himself would contend that neither term is particularly accurate. Varana is certainly not lazy by any means; he leads a very active lifestyle, rarely sitting still for more than a few minutes at a time unless he has become engaged in an activity that has captured his undivided attention, of which there are a few. As to the charge of being allergic to work, this may be slightly more accurate, but Varana would again contend that even his "adventuring" has applications to his job since said "adventuring," by Varana's argument, leads him to finding lost tools that have functions that he could rediscover, which would in turn lead to an overall advancement in the weaponsmithing abilities of himself and all Fe-Matoran, and while this argument may not be entirely inaccurate, Varana seems to find more enjoyment out of the adventure itself than what he finds on the adventures that could advance Fe-Matoran weaponsmithing. In addition to his adventurous nature, Varana also possesses a thirst for knowledge said to rival even the (laziest) Ce-Matoran. In fact, Varana has spent a fair amount of time over the years among the scholarly Ce-Matoran, learning what he can from them, often interviewing the eldest of the Ce-Matoran regarding times past, and such momentous events as the Great Exodus and the heroic feats of the mighty Toa. Varana has also traversed the eerily quiet halls of the temple of De-Congro, poring over any texts contained within the sacred building, as well as searching for any hidden treasures and lost texts the temple may house when he's certain no one is looking. As of now, he has yet to find anything of particular interest even within the most remote corners of the temple. As a result of his extensive research, Varana may be one of the few Matoran of Kongero Nui to have any sort of concrete idea of what the Toa of old may have looked like and, by extension, what any new Toa, should they ever arrive, ought to look like. Appearance: -Varana has the typical compact body of a Matoran with armor that is mostly a dark orange/dark red color with the exception of his hands and feet which are slightly shiny steel gray in color. - Element: Fe Matoran/Iron Mask: Kanohi Kualsi/Mask of Quick Travel (powerless) -----The mask looks identical to the one worn by Toa Iruini except it's dark red. Occupation: Varana is "officially" a weaponsmith in Fe-Congro, but he actually fashions himself an adventurer and collector of rare and valuable tools. While he is good at what he does, he spends far more time exploring every nook and cranny of Kongero Nui that he can find his way into and collecting any treasures that had been hidden there in days gone by. This can include anything from powerful weapons used by past Toa to lost documents of forgotten history. Of things more on the former end of the spectrum, Varana will keep the finest specimens for himself, usually with the intent of learning their secrets and how to replicate them, while the tools of lesser quality he will sell alongside his own works, and those that are in suboptimal condition he will refurbish before selling. Surprisingly, no one ever seems to question whether the things Varana sells were made by Varana or were things he collected, despite it being a well-known fact that Varana spends far more time "adventuring" than he does actually working. Tools: A large, heavy, and wickedly sharp sword that he found hidden under an old shrine in Fe Congro. He is convinced that it once belonged to a Toa, but has thus far been unable to figure out what it does other than slow him down and cut through virtually anything like warm butter (the floor of his workshop is riddled with grooves carved by him dragging the sword around). A Chronicler's staff that he found in an abandoned home in Ce-Congro. Varana uses it as a spear. A common disk launcher and a random assortment of about a dozen disks. Relationships:
Journal:
Bag:
A few pockets for storing disks Several pieces of oil cloth for wrapping and protecting the things he's collected until he can get them back home A few hundred widgets - not rich by any means, but able to get by comfortably
He's a bit of a cross between Takua and Berix, but I think he's original enough too.
@Sedjwick The character concept is good, however, there are a few issues. Firstly, knowing whether or not Toa exist/have existed for sure isn't that easy to get around. There were no Toa involved in the entire Exodus group, and thus no relics from Toa to exist to be collected. That means the sword by proxy is void. Also, I'd rather have what Kanoka discs he has be clear, as opposed to a "random assortment". In addition, they're larger than his head in diameter and fairly thick, so I think carrying twelve of them would be somewhat difficult.
@Sedjwick The character concept is good, however, there are a few issues. Firstly, knowing whether or not Toa exist/have existed for sure isn't that easy to get around. There were no Toa involved in the entire Exodus group, and thus no relics from Toa to exist to be collected. That means the sword by proxy is void. Also, I'd rather have what Kanoka discs he has be clear, as opposed to a "random assortment". In addition, they're larger than his head in diameter and fairly thick, so I think carrying twelve of them would be somewhat difficult.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll fix some of the stuff soon. However, in my defense on the things regarding the existence of Toa, you never made it clear if anyone was aware of if Toa had existed in the past or not, and I'm pretty sure that, according to the original canon, all Turaga had once been Toa (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but you'll have to cite some evidence). Additionally, I never said that the sword did belong to a Toa, I just said that Varana is convinced that it did. There must be some Matoran that believe in the existence of Toa, even if all they have to go by are myths and legends.
@Sedjwick I never said he can't believe it. However, a Matoran with a too-big sword does much more harm than good. Also, the first (few) Turaga were built as such. For example, the Turaga who sent all the Matoran on his island to Karzahni for 'repairs', whom went mad, was one such individual. Just as the Toa Mata, and the first examples of Toa, were never Matoran.
@Sedjwick I never said he can't believe it. However, a Matoran with a too-big sword does much more harm than good.
Point noted. How about he has this sword in his workshop, but doesn't lug it around with him until (if) he becomes a Toa.
Also, the first (few) Turaga were built as such. For example, the Turaga who sent all the Matoran on his island to Karzahni for 'repairs', whom went mad, was one such individual. Just as the Toa Mata, and the first examples of Toa, were never Matoran.
Point noted again, however, that then begs the question of is this so early within the timeline that these six Turaga may be among those first few that never were Toa? Because even if they're partially mechanical they can't live forever. Those first few would have died at some point, I'm sure.
