To access the rest of the world without falling to death, the Kokorans have installed several retractable metal bridges around the walls of Kokoro. When it’s time to hunt or gather other supplies and the Gukko Airforce can’t supply, the bridges extended outward, connecting to the peaks of other nearby mountains [These bridges may or may not be reactivated Life Automatons]. From there, the Kokorans walk along the bridges to the peaks, accessing as much of the Region of Ice as needed before coming back.

Should Skull Spiders attack and use these bridges, the bridges are designed to slant downward at a steep angle, nearly parallel to Ihu’s slopes. Due to the slickness of the metal bridge, which is made of a durable ore that the Skull Spiders can’t pierce, as well as the minimalistic railing, this causes most Skull Spiders to fall off into the depths below. Any remaining ones are easily dealt with from a distance. Unfortunately, times when these bridges are used have often stranded the Kokorans, or else thrown off the ones still using them. This is in order to thwart off any Skull Spider breaching, but even so, this measure is very rarely used if Kokorans haven’t made their way across yet.

Kokoro’s village mainly consists of a ruling council of elders and veterans, who work on certain decisions. Of them includes Nuju, who acts as the local wise man and chieftain, and is a scholar in his own right. Nuju only speaks in cheeps and whistles like a bird, which only his attendant Matoro can understand. Aside from him, there is also Izotor, the Protector of Ice. There are four other council elders.

In the remains of the Knowledge Towers, scholars collect and gather the texts that the Gukko Airforce has gathered and bring them there. In these Towers, old texts are deciphered and evaluated, so as to keep in touch with the history of the island, and also study other important things. Some of the texts in question have revealed the location of certain lost cities or even Masks of Power to be found and used. There is also a belief that if they study certain star patterns and constellations, as reported by other Okotans, they can gleam the future, or at least predict the weather. 

Due to its status as the home of scholars, as well as the hub of ancient texts and artifacts, Kokoro is prominent for its cultural festivals and activities, being in touch with the lost culture of the Creation Age. Festivals are popular, with little stalls and booths to play games and win prizes, with many such as Kokkan or Kylma organizing these events. Kopeke often shows off his ice sculptures here as well, and art is valued.

One popular, recreational activity in Kokoro, besides the universal sport of Kolhii, is the Huai Snowball Sling. Players are put in a diamond-shaped arena, with immobile obstacles placed in certain arrangements. Armed with slings, the players throw snowballs at one another, hiding behind obstacles. [More rules to be added later]

There are many other Kokorans; One is Ehrye, an attendant to some of the local scholars who dreams to be a scholar himself, but is simply unneeded and too excitable, impatient, and foolhardy to be one. Nevertheless, he is earnest and tries to learn patience, and often studies archaeology. Another Kokoran is Kopeke- The names of the fabled Toa of legend are well known, so naturally many saw them as a sign of hope. Kopeke’s parents, unsurprisingly, named their child after Kopaka, although there may or may not have been a translation error. Appropriately (with some wondering if his name is because of this or vice-versa), Kopeke is particularly skilled in ice carving and is Kokoro’s best ice carver. On his days off he likes to brighten the spirits of others by carving fantastical sculptures of ice, and his small studio has frequent visitors who appreciate the pristine look of ice. As such, Hafu occasionally sees him as a rival. He is also skilled at Huai Snowball Sling.

Matoro is the aforementioned attendant to Nuju. A shy and quiet spirit who doesn’t believe in herself, Matoro is occasionally burdened by the knowledge discussed amongst the council due to her role as Nuju’s translator, which exposes her often to the grim reality of the Skull Spider threat. Despite her introverted personality, Matoro is still quick to be a friend to those who need her support. In her spare time, Matoro grooms many of her pets, and in the past she even had a bit of a pet store with help from Kongu. Matoro also has a bit of infamy as Kokoro’s ‘Resident Goth’, due to her obsession with death and knowledge of funeral rites, and as a child, she had to deal with the death of many pets, and even did funeral services for lost pets as well.

Kokkan is the local trader, who makes his business with Kongu. He owns a shop where he sells various goods that he has employed other Okotans to craft and/or find, and helps regulate the Okotan economy. Occasionally suspected by non-Kokorans to be shady, he is ultimately genuine, and treats his partners and customers well. He helps sell, advertise, and distribute Jaa’s works… for a price, of course.

One of Kokkan’s frequent associates is Arktinen, a tanner and fellmonger who works with the hides from the hunts of others. Arktinen is a bit of a fashion designer, which he won’t admit, and he makes hats and coats and other clothing that keeps the Kokorans warm. He makes a business with some of his more luxury, hide-related items.

There is also the Sanctum Guard, the designated patrol that regularly inspects the borders of Kokoro to make sure no Skull Spiders breach the city, and are tasked with its defense. Some Sanctum Guards are a part of the Hunting Parties that are occasionally formed. One guard is Pakastaa, who is so stoic and dedicated to her patrol job that she will stand still for who knows how long, enough to cause ice and snow to settle on her. Despite this she remains faithful and has an iron determination. Pakastaa often acts as a sentry, and her eyesight is particularly good at seeing through snow storms to detect potential threats or obstacles. Due to her stillness, some have jokingly believed that Pakastaa is Kopeke’s best sculpture and a natural Skull Spider scarecrow. Sometimes, Pakastaa is covered in so much snow that other Sanctum Guardians don’t even recognize her.

Another Sanctum Guardian is Talvi, who also acts as an operator of Kokoro’s bridges. She is particular about making sure the bridges are in proper condition, for a potential malfunction could lead to Kokoro’s doom. 

Another Guardian, and frequent member of the Hunting Parties, is Toudo, an experienced hunter and survivalist. Toudo is esteemed for having once been stranded in the Drifts after a Skull Spider attack, only to survive months on her own and eventually make contact with another Hunting Party, and return victoriously. Izotor has considered Toudo as his potential successor. Due to her experience, Toudo has always been a little… intense, and wary. Toudo admits that she thought she saw Melum, Spirit of Ice being chased by a shadowy being during her experience, but she wonders if it was a hallucination induced by delirium and even insanity.

Jaa is a scholar and a scribe who helps reprint and recreate old tales, epics, and other novels from the Creation Age. He himself is a bit of a linguist, and he will, admittedly, add in some of his own alterations to the translated and recreated works, but don’t tell anyone that [Alternatively, he boldens or underlines his alterations, makes anecdotes, etc.,] Jaa is a bit of an aspiring author himself and likes to tell stories around the campfire. Jaa has a daughter, named Jaatikko (tikko being a suffix he discovered in his studies that means descended, child, junior, etc.), another scholar who interprets the stars and is also an architect, helping design or reinforce Kokoro using knowledge from the past.

Lumi is another scholar, and an acolyte who still prays to the old Okotan deities, including Melum, Spirit of Ice, who she hopes will bless Kokoro with less harsh cold and fewer storms, as those block the eyes of the Sanctum Guard but not the Skull Spiders. She uses her own meditations, spiritual rituals, and information from other scholars to see the future, adding in her own mystical data.

Kylma, a scholar, uses his research to act as a seer to predict weather, but is also avidly interested in Okoto’s past and culture. He and Lumi like to discuss the resurrected Okotan Mythos, and he has frequently cooperated with others to organize cultural festivals meant to bring the Kokorans’ spirits up, and keep the Okotan art and culture from dying. He often gives Kopeke inspiration, and he is an intense researcher into the Prophecy of Heroes.

           Once a successor is chosen, temporary or otherwise, it is then expected of this successor to consider THEIR own successor; This practice only came about during the Skull Spider wars, when the constant danger of the swarms meant that a Protector and their chosen successor were liable to die, one after the other. Choices for successors are by no means permanent, but the current choice MUST be recorded physically, sometimes privately. A candidate can refuse the mantle of Protector, but this is usually seen as disgraceful, an event that has sadly led to many Okotans being forced to half-heartedly adopt a role not meant for them- This, too, places pressure on a Protector to be careful in their decision.

           Originally a ragtag band of warriors who would travel across Okoto, offering aid, the Protectors were eventually granted a more solidified, political status following the development of an Okotan Emperor. Protectors were thus to have political and military authority, and were personally knighted by the current Emperor upon attaining their status. Protectors had their own group of personal guards and even a small palace of their own, courtesy of the throne, and all were given the same type of specialized mask design exclusive to their group.

           From there, the Protectors began to operate as a more legitimate, government force, often sent by the Emperor to assist in threats, or else consulted for advice on political matters. This led to a normalization of Protectors as an authority in Okotan life, which would later become important years later.

           In the Creation Age, the Mask Makers Ekimu and Makuta chose to personally honor the current Protectors with elemental gifts meant to signify and affirm their status as Elemental saviors. Each Protector was given a new, crystalline Elemental Mask shaped in the appearance of the typical Protector mask. These Elemental masks granted a control over their corresponding elements typically greater than that of a regular Mask of Power.

           Likewise, Ekimu and Makuta granted each Protector a pair of crystalline, Elemental Blades from which they could focus their newly-granted Mask Powers with, and a powerful gatling blaster. Now more attuned to their sacred elements than ever before, the Protectors swore fealty to the Mask Makers, an action that would be additionally affirmed with the Emperor’s recognition of the twins.

           The Protectors would continue to operate, with the additional assistance of Ekimu and Makuta, as well as a new arsenal of Masks of Power to utilize. Contact with the Elemental Deities became more frequent, and the Protectors began to act as liasons for their respective patrons.

           During the Skull Raider wars, the Protectors led the defense against the foreign tribe of pirates, though not without losses. With the help of Ekimu and Makuta, the Protectors succeeded in defeating the Skull Raiders, imprisoning their chief Kulta and his top commanders in the Capital City of Destral.

           Following the Great Cataclysm, the surviving Okotans immediately looked to the Protectors as their remaining authority, thanks to the deaths of the Emperor and the Mask Makers. With the Elemental Deities having gone silent, the Protectors had no choice but to take total lead and help direct the survivors. Many rebuilding efforts and rescue attempts were done, and slowly, Okoto began to recover over the generations.

As they did, subsequent generations of Protectors acted to undo their total political authority, generally leaning society towards at least a separate ruler, or chief, for individual tribes and cities. This was due to a disillusionment towards monarchy and absolute governments, which some saw as the cause of the Great Cataclysm. Not all Protectors necessarily agreed to lessening their roles, however, and some advocated for even solidifying the group into the new rulers of Okoto.

These ideas came into being, and for the most part the Protectors returned to the original roles they had, albeit still with plenty of sponsorship from local rulers and chiefs. Efforts were made to recover technology from the Creation Age and to relearn the art of Mask-Making, made further complicated by the apparent deactivation of the Great Forge.

The Protectors’ arguably greatest trial would soon come with the emergence of the Skull Spiders. Most were killed in the sudden onslaught of the swarms, and Protectors and successors were quickly cycled through, leading to imperfect decisions and hasty choices. Leading the main line of defense, the Protectors helped the Okotans develop new cities and defenses geared towards the Skull Spiders, until the Mega Villages were eventually developed and populated.

As six Mega Villages emerged from the fallen rest, one for each Elemental Region almost coincidentally, the once-scattered Protectors agreed to assign themselves to their respective elements. The Protector of Water would remain in the Region of Water, living in Kiniga, while the Protector of Jungle would fight from the Vuata Maca in the Region of Jungle, etc. The reasoning was that a Protector was strongest when surrounded by their corresponding element, and thus most capable of fighting the Skull Spiders.

Despite being perfectly-equipped for their new territories, some of the Protectors lost their sacred tools even with these new advantages. The Protectors of Water and Earth lost their Elemental Blades. The Protector of Ice, thankfully, held onto at least one after losing the other. Meanwhile, one of the Protectors of Fire would lose their gatling blaster in combat.

Within their new Mega Villages, some of the Protectors’ roles changed, with a few having to assume a more proactive, direct control as once suggested by previous generations. Others had the luxury of allowing the villagers to direct themselves.

When the stars aligned according to the layout detailed in the Prophecy of Heroes, the current Protectors gathered their finest warriors and led an expedition to an ancient construct known as the Inika, located in the Region of Fire. Many warriors were slain by the Skull Spiders, but the Protectors succeeded in using the Mask of Time and the Inika to summon the Toa from the heavens above.

Upon the arrival of the Toa, the local Protectors immediately worked to guide their new heroes in directing and controlling the elements. A major counter-attack was led against the Skull Spiders, and with the Toa and Protectors working in tandem, the Okotans succeeded in taking back their island from Makuta. From there, the Protectors would continue to operate, helping defend against Makuta’s repeated assaults.

The current Protectors are;

Water- Kivoda

Earth- Korgot

Fire- Narmoto

Ice- Izotor

Jungle- Vizuna

Stone- Nilkuu

Korgot and Narmoto act as the leaders of their villages’ military-industrial complexes, respectively, with Korgot in particular having plenty of pressure to act strict and harsh, but also fair, due to her sudden promotion to Protector following her predecessor’s demise and loss of the Elemental Blades. Izotor is a member of Kokoro’s Council of Elders, while Vizuna, Nilkuu, and Kivoda generally keep their roles separate from village authority, to varying degrees.

The Protectors at the time of the Great Cataclysm were, as follows;

Water- Owaki

Earth- Etoku

Fire- Mamuk

Ice- Uganu

Jungle- Agarak

Stone- Kerato

Other notable Protectors include, in roughly chronological order for each category;

Water- Bumonda

Water- Nokama, predecessor to Owa. Most of her duties are now towards directing Kiniga and keeping the village safe and functioning.

Water- Owa, named after a previous Protector of Water named Owaki. She died in the trip returning home after using the Mask of Time to summon the Toa. As a result, Kivoda was forced to inherit the position very close to the arrival of the Toa.

Earth- Jovan, who once fought alongside the lone warrior Lesovikk. Stories vary on his demise, with some claiming he was killed by a sudden earthquake.

Earth- Epolim

Earth- Droton, Korgot’s predecessor. Rather intense, many remarked that he looked almost like a villain of sorts; Despite this, Droton was a true hero who fought to the bitter end, dying against the Skull Spiders. His Elemental Blades were lost, and his legacy places plenty of pressure upon Korgot.

Fire- Flammik, a noble Knight active during the Fallout of the Great Cataclysm. According to legend, she fought the great beast Kardas in the Dragons’ Den and emerged victoriously with one of his teeth, which was later enshrined in Tawahi.

Ice- Buzkayo

Jungle- Jagiri, who helped Lein establish the Gukko Airforce shortly after the emergence of the Skull Spiders.

Stone- Rokreng

Stone- Bitil, a Protector during the Skull Spider wars who was known for a fascination with the Creation Age. His harshness when it came to directing Levato and defending against the Skull Spiders made him unpopular, even if he was truly well-meaning. Bitil was eventually captured by Skull Spiders and inducted into the Brotherhood of Makuta, where he willingly swore allegiance and was transformed into the Skull Defender.

Stone- Onewa, predecessor to Nilkuu, and now current Chief of Levato. Once a hot-headed youth, he has since matured, although is still somewhat difficult to deal with. A combination of old age and injuries forced Onewa to begrudgingly relinquish his duties.

The current chosen successors are, as follows;

Fire- Jaller, Captain of the Tawahan Military.

Ice- Toudo, Sanctum Guard and expert hunter and survivalist.

Stone- Hewkii, Leader of the Levatan Patrol

           The remaining successors are currently undisclosed. Vizuna had previously chosen a successor, but then they died shortly before the Arrival of the Toa.

           Once a new Protector is enstated, it is their decision to combine their Elemental Blades and gatling blaster however they choose. Some wield them separately, while others can combine them all into one tool, and so forth. Some tools are incorporated into new weapons, while others are kept alone and separate.