The Musings Of A Fanatic

She let her words hang in the air as she waited for Jasui’s response. This must have all been a surprise to him after all of the time they had known one another. After thousands of years apart though, he had changed too. Not as dramatically, but it was noticeable. He was calmer, more patient, more experienced. She imagined getting away from Fahi Nui was as beneficial for him as it had been for her. Their old team had never seemed to find Unity after becoming Toa and their Duty felt like shackles.

“Well if I’m being honest, I can’t say I’m surprised!”

“Really?” She replied. The surprise was hers to be had, apparently.

“Well sure! You used to always tell stories about transformation, even after we all became Toa. This just seems… right for you.” Jasui leaned back in his seat and rested his arms broadly on the craft as he spoke, body language conveying a comfort that helped her trust his words.

“Thank you. It means a lot that you understand. The other Toa I was with were not so kind about it.”

“You mean they rejected you for trying to be yourself?”

She turned her head to face the open sea ahead of her for a moment. She knew in her core that she had done everything right. That she had become who she was meant to be. She looked back to Jasui so she could be heard over the wind and waves. “It was worse than that… I wasn’t the only one on the team to pursue a new identity and the others accused me of copying them instead of finding my own Destiny.” She paused again. Jasui said nothing. “It felt bad. It made me question myself but when I left and started sailing, it was like the sea washed away all of those doubts. It wasn’t me, it was those who I was with that were making me unhappy.” She met Jasui’s eyes as she finished her thought. He stared back intently. The brow of his Kanohi curled slightly towards the center.

“Sure. I get that.” He rose and stood beside her but immediately struggled to steady himself on the vessel. She took one hand from the wheel and caught him around the shoulder. “Thanks.” He laughed. That was nice to see. Long ago he had been so consumed with being perfect. Even small stumbles in situations nobody was expecting him to have experience in would send him into a fit. “So what can I call you now, Sister?” He offered his fist as he spoke.

“Ruita.” She replied with confidence as her fist met his. She had been practicing the name in private and it had only felt more like her own each time. “The Matoran we were protecting, they used the name to describe that Energized Protodermis. The transformative stuff.”

“Ruita.” Jasui practiced the name a few times. “I like it.” The boat rocked again and he elected to sit back down. “Thank you for coming to tell me. For taking the time to find me. I know things were not always great between us but-”

“No.”, holdng up her hand for emphasis, she guided some of the surf to splash Jasui’s mask. “No more apologizing for who we were. We are who we are now. Things are good. Let’s enjoy it.” She looked back to Jasui and smiled. He shook the water from his mask and matched her.

Ko Matoran have a reputation for being hard to get along with. The tribe values peace and quiet to a high degree and their preference for the cold makes them difficult to acclimate to other climates. This is both literal and figurative as Ko Matoran are notorious for staying within their comfort zone. The general trend is that a Ko Matoran will make a friend with a single Matoran from another tribe on their own terms, and then slowly integrate into a larger social circle.

-Ko Matoran treat one another with mutual respect on the surface. Everyone leaves one another to their studies and communicates what is necessary when it is necessary to do so. While we have seen that there can be pettiness and rivalry in canon within the tribe, at the end of the day all Ko Matoran know that they are working towards the same goal each in their own way.

-Ta Matoran embody Duty. Ko Matoran embody Destiny. Culturally, these tribes are straightforward and blunt. A friendship between them would likely stem from working together on a common goal that allows the Ko Matoran to develop emotional trust. Be mindful though, as a disagreement in the method behind the task can strain this relationship.

-Ga Matoran have the easiest time making friends and Ko Matoran are no exception to that rule. High tolerance and empathy is the Ga Matoran’s in to support and befriend the otherwise closed off Ko Matoran.

-Ice and Stone are solid and inflexible, both in literal substance, and often in disposition. The lofty, head in the clouds philosophy of Ko Matoran is typically of little interest to a Po Matoran and the down to earth simplicity of a Po Matoran would likely be of no interest the other way around.

-Diametrically opposed, Ice and Earth are a dynamic that offers a broad perspective. In the event that a bond is formed between members of this tribe, it would greatly expand the perspective of both. Predicting the future is a skill that is bolstered by understanding the past, after all.

-Le Matoran and Ko Matoran are hard pressed to find anything in common. Ice is far too rigid and meticulous. A Le Matoran would appear to be the single biggest hazard to all Ko Matoran hold dear. Noisy, impulsive and overall hyperactive, a relationship between members of this tribe would require quite a bit of compromise from both.

“So that’s where I’ve been all this time.” Jasui’s voice was filled with pride and confidence. Zatama stared back at him, unsure how to feel about the tales he had just spun. He knew Jasui had felt confined in Fahi Nui, that much he had made clear after Kytao had disappeared and tensions rose with their Turaga. Zatama had felt it was his duty to stay in this place their initial journey had landed them and so he did. Jasui left in anger. Tenakha had left to see if he could find Jasui or Kytao and Vouku left shortly after to ‘strike out on his own’, whatever he thought that meant.

“Sound’s like you really went and found yourself.” Was all he could muster in reply. He found brief eye contact with Jasui but found it hard to maintain. It had been four thousand years since they had parted ways. Jasui had changed, clearly. The anger was gone, or at least Zatama wanted to believe that to be true. But what had he done? He had held his post in Fahi Nui with Kokatoro faithfully, leading an uninteresting life and inevitably being overwhelmed by Makuta’s forces and joining a stronger Toa of Fire he had never even heard of to journey beyond what he thought was the end of his universe that he had been tasked with protecting and…

“Hey,” Jasui’s voice cut through the welling anxiety. “I know I left on bad terms. I know we had a Duty and maybe even a Destiny in Fahi Nui. I don’t really think things would have turned out differently if we had all stayed together. Six dysfunctional Toa against… all of that probably wouldn’t have made the difference in the end. But we all survived and now we get to be a part of something new!” He paused, possibly waiting to see if Zatama would re-establish eye contact. Zatama looked up as Jasui offered his fist. “I’d like to do so together, if you would.”

Zatama looked from Jasui’s fist to his eyes and again felt the urge to look away. He didn’t want to. He wasn’t ready. The fist hung there, occupying so much more space in Zatama’s head than it did in physical space. After an amount of time he felt had become awkward, he met it with his own. A lie. A false promise. He was not ready. Jasui’s very presence and demeanor made him radically uncomfortable but the part of Zatama that was stronger than the part that craved comfort wanted to follow what Jasui wanted. To appease him.

“Absolutely, brother.” The words were like ice through his vocal array and the clank of his fist against Jasui’s felt hollow.

Being the tribe most defined by the virtue of Duty, Ta Matoran relationships are typically built on practicality. A Ta Matoran will become close with those who can be counted on, making reliability a major value in their culture.

-Ta Matoran are shown in canon to be competitive amongst one another. While their sense of duty inclines most Ta Matoran to put work before their own personal feelings, their inclination towards leadership and the importance they place upon themselves as Mask Makers likely make them prideful. Relationships amongst Ta Matoran seem entirely reliant upon the humility of the individuals.

-While natural born leaders, a Ta Matoran appreciates the perspective of Ga Matoran in most dynamics. A Ta Matoran focused on the task at hand may not acknowledge the importance of the nuance Ga Matoran bring to the table. Knowing what needs to be done is one thing, but assigning the right person for the job, accommodating others and communicating in a healthy fashion is how Water supplements Fire.

-Fire and Stone share passion for both creation and completion. In a surface level, these tribes have an easy time understanding one another. They are practical, determined and task oriented, which makes them excellent partners on any job. Beware though, as both elements can be prone to ego and can quarrel worse than any other pairing. This, however comes from a place of both parties wanting what is best but disagreeing on the details.

-Ta Matoran stand out. They usually take center stage in situations requiring action and speak passionately. This creates the kind of intrigue that can prompt an Onu Matoran’s curiosity. Being patient and open to new ideas, an Onu/Ta relationship is likely to take root through something the Ta Matoran does without them being aware of it. A friendly Ta Matoran will find a loyal friend but must take care to not take advantage of the friendship.

-Fanning the flames, Le Matoran and Ta Matoran have an interesting dynamic. Both elements are prone to taking initiative, but their approaches could not be more different. Trying to work together, a Ta Matoran must be both direct with the Le Matoran but also needs to account for their freedom of expression in order to have true harmony. If the two elements can respect and account for one another’s methodology, they can find a lot of success together.

-Ice and Fire are elemental opposites, but in the world of the Matoran these things don’t necessarily create conflict. Indeed, both tribes are task oriented and have a great propensity for focus. This relationship is one that must be deeply personal. Ko Matoran do not make casual friends and Ta Matoran tend to be close only with those they can truly rely on.

That’s what she kept insisting.

I had met up with a group of Toa I had worked with in the past and Maa immediately recognized that I was not in as good condition as I had been.

Indeed, my armor was a heavily saturated brown, as opposed to the burnt orange it would turn after longer exposure to the Spherus Magna sun. My new role largely had me working in Matoran settlements around the Bara Magna region, giving me less time to be out in nature as I probably should be.

“I believe you,” I said, shuffling awkwardly across the beach. “But if the waves knock my mask askew, I’m done.” The sands of the beach was markedly different from the sands of the desert I call home. It’s missing that layer of rock beneath it that ties it back to its source. The beach’s sands are loose, ever shifting and more effort to navigate than I would have liked. As we approached, I struggled to envision how I would occupy my time bobbing around in the ocean. That’s when Maa revealed the extra mask she had been carrying.

“I brought a Kanohi Kaukau for us to share between the team! I thought it would be fun to see if we can see any integration between the sea beasts of Spherus Magna, and our Rahi!” Maa had been a Toa for a long time. So long so that I am still surprised to see that she has not made the transformation into Turaga every time I see them. One might mistake her for a Toa of Water, what with her fondness for the sea, but the gold bands on her Kanohi and armor denoted her as a Psionic Toa. She used her power judiciously to determine what was best for the mental state of her team, despite any outward facade. That had been me during the trip out here. She was right. I needed the time to heal.

The rest of the team took turns with the Kanohi, looking around the tides for interesting signs of life. I waded out into the ocean to join them, minding my step as to not disturb the ecosystem more than necessary. Something that took some getting used to on Spherus Magna was the abundance of small organisms. Most everything inside the old Matoran Universe was large. The bugs, the frogs, the crabs. The revelation that the creatures on this world underwent something called “evolution”, as opposed to being designed by a creator had been a difficult one for most of us, but it made them fascinating in a unique way.

“Jasui, why don’t you give it a try?” One of the other Toa insisted after taking a turn. “I know you’ll enjoy it.” Again, she was right. My dour demeanor could hide nothing from the team. I took a moment to admire the mask in my hands. The Kanohi Kaukau was a striking design with its visor and layered, curved top. The Agori say it has “style”. “Come on, what’s under the water is gonna be waaay more interesting than the mask, I promise!”

I let out a lighthearted laugh as I swapped my own Kanohi with the Kaukau. Other Toa have described feeling a sense of security in the water just from wearing it. Maybe it was my own fears, maybe it was the fact that I had never worn one before, but I felt no such thing. I stared at the water for a moment behind the mask’s visor, knowing consciously that I would be fine while submerged… I just had to convince myself.

Out of habit, I took a deep breath in, and curled down, wrapping my arms around my knees. If I felt so out of place, I should do as the stones of the ocean do and simply sink. The view was immediately captivating. Fish, smaller than any I had ever seen darted about. A flat creature, previously cloaked in the sand rocketed away from where I had landed. The feelings of wonder momentarily gave way to panic. I had not been breathing. On a conscious level, I knew I was wearing the Kanohi Kaukau but every instinct in my body told me not to open my mouth. I saw the shapes of the other Toa gathering around, peering below the surface at me. I closed my eyes, focused on the feeling of the sand underneath me, and took a breath in.

Relaxing was still not easy, but I was now past the hardest part. Breathing with the power of the mask, I began to explore the sandy floor with better focus. The small, Spherus Magna fish swam in tandem with a Ruki fish from our world. The larger fish seemed to serve as a leader, or maybe even a bodyguard. Perhaps the larger size and protodermic scales of the Ruki dissuade the predators that would hunt this fish. Perhaps the creativity of the Makuta was intentionally influenced by the Great Beings to recreate the beasts of their world. Could the smaller fish feel some sort of connection to the Ruki, or was it just convenience? It was known that the Matoran people were based on the inhabitants of Spherus Magna. How deep did our connection go?

The tribe of Unity, Ga Matoran are often the beating heart of any group of Matoran or team of Toa. Their friendly and empathetic nature allows them to easily distinguish the unique strengths and qualities in others and they often put the needs of others before their own. These values allow them to make and maintain bonds that may not come so easily to other tribes.

-Among Ga Matoran, friendship may not always be easy, but camaraderie always is. Whether they are working together as a research team, manning a boat or just enjoying the waters they call home, Unity takes center stage. Ga Matoran likely form stronger personal bonds between embers of their tribe who they feel they can count on the most.

-Water and Fire may not seem like a good mix elementally, but their cultural values could not be more complimentary. These tribes most literally embody Unity and Duty, after all. A Ga Matoran is a Ta Matoran’s best friend as their ability to delegate and accommodate beautifully meshes with Ta Matoran leadership. This can manifest professionally, but also personally as Water can be the necessary emotional support for the often overworked (by their own nature) Fire. Your Ta Matoran value you more than they could ever express.

-A lot of Ga Matoran relationships are defined by their emotional compatability. Stone, with its preoccupation with refinement can create a strong relationship with Water if they allow themselves to be open to Water’s guidance. Po Matoran can seem stubborn and hard to approach at times, but ultimately knows what is best for them, and friendship with a Ga Matoran is often just that. A rock may fear erosion, but if left in a river will become smooth.

-My immediate thoughts with Earth are that the two should make easy friends. Both tribes are renown for their patience and teamwork. Ga Matoran both literally and metaphorically have access to places Onu Matoran ordinarily would not. This can spark an Onu Matoran’s natural curiosity, which seems like the natural start to their friendship. Though one must be cautious as an Onu Matoran can come to rely on their Ga Matoran to express what they are too shy to.

-The Elements of motion. Water and Air are the tribes that focus most heavily on exploration, though they differ on the vehicle. Le Matoran naturally avoid water, as the feeling of being weighed down by it makes them uncomfortable. When the two can agree though, they can specialize in out of the box solutions to life’s problems.

-This is it. This is how Ko Matoran make friends. Water and Ice share something foundational like Earth and Stone do. Ga Matoran not only have the innate emotional intelligence to treat Ko Matoran with the patience they need, but also fundamentally empathize with their pursuit of knowledge. A Ga Matoran can more easily put their ego and preferences aside in order to make a Ko Matoran comfortable and therefore begin to develop a relationship. Mutual respect defines this dynamic.

To do list:

-Finish the “Element Relationships” posts

-Write my thoughts on the Rare Element Tribes

-Bother @outofgloom about “Ja”

The culture of Stone seems to differ quite a bit from the other primary Matoran types. The first in depth introduction to the tribes we would see in canon would be through the Mata Nui Online Game. As the player travels around the island, they see the Ta Matoran and their military, the Onu Matoran and their mines, etc. However, the village of Stone lacks a community based job, rather everyone appears to be out for their own personal gain. Artist, athlete, the profession did not seem to matter so long as the Matoran was working to be the best at it. This is reflected in their principle of Creation. The continual refinement of a skill so that it is functional and presentable, if not perfect.

But how did we get here? What causes the Po Matoran to value these abstract ideals more than any other tribe? For that, we have to explore the beginning of Po Matoran Culture. They began as builders, said to have been the primary construction team in the early days of Metru Nui. Their work created a foundation for the other elemental districts to flourish. The time spent perfecting their tasks would in turn give each Po Matoran a foundation from which they could flourish. Once the necessary work was done, it was time to bend and flex these skills in new ways.