#nilkuu

           I incorporated the daggers from Hewkii Mahri’s arm onto his back (they can be unsheathed and thrown, or else wielded as melee weapons), and beneath his cloak is a chain wound around him, as a reference to his Inika and Mahri arsenals. He has spiked knee pads (also a reference to his Mahri form), and while it’s not visible, beneath his cloak is an axe at the end of his chain (from Hewkii Inika). He wields a modified kolhii staff that has a blade at the very end –cut out because I ran out of space- that resembles Hewkii Mahri’s spear.

           Obviously, the implication here is that I’ve welded G1 Defilak and G2 Bingzak into one character, in part because I can’t really take the name Bingzak seriously unless as a nickname, which then begs the question of the ACTUAL name… You get the idea. ‘Bingzak’ being from the Region of Jungle only to be displaced into a different type of elemental biome is a bit of a meta nod to Le-Matoran Defilak living underwater.

           Defilak’s a bit of a quiet, moody kid, and definitely not without reason… Again, she lost her parents to the Skull Spiders and is still heavily traumatized by the experience. In an attempt to feel some sort of control and power over the Skull Spiders, Defilak has taken to looting their parts and wearing them as morbid ‘trophies’ to symbolize her triumph over her terrorizers. She wears shoulder-pads made from repaired Skull Spider faces, and has a necklace of Skull Spider blades. She even has a sash made of hollowed-out Skull Spider limbs.

           I based her appearance off of her G1 counterpart, but I also took a lot of inspiration from Enfys Nest from Solo: A Star Wars Story. I always thought that character’s aesthetic was really neat and fit in with the whole ‘wastelander’ look I was making for the Levatans.

           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.

           In order to survive, the Levatan Patrol is occasionally tasked with journeying beyond the safety of the Maw of Ketar to the more dangerous sands where Skull Spiders sometimes bury themselves in entire hordes, ready to spring up and ambush victims. These patrols usually seek materials exclusive to the Region of Stone, in order to use them, give them to the other Mega-Villages for use, or else sell for an additional profit; Levatans are particularly infamous for their haggling ability.

           This skill is dwarfed by two other main interests as well- The arts, and Kolhii. Due to its aridity and scorching heat, the Region of Stone is lacking in the natural beauty that most of the other Regions have, so to make it worth enjoying, the Levatans have personally taken it upon themselves to take the abundance of stone and clay that they have an access to, and fashion it into sculptures, pieces of art, and other luxuries to sell or otherwise show off, such as in the Sculpture Field, reserved for only the most esteemed and appreciated creations. Many a Levatan is skilled in carving, particularly with stone, as many efforts are made to expand the Levato Fragments and form more settlements from them. A popular form of art expression is Graffiti, a heavily-stylized carving and/or painting, usually put into the sides of the fragments or buildings. The legality of this graffiti is occasionally disputed, with each generation’s Protector of Stone having varying attitudes regarding it.

           Aside from the Levato Fragments’ many sculptures, most of which are carved into the Fragments themselves (with one of Ketar, hoping to earn her favor), the Levatans also value the sport of Kolhii. Kolhii is a popular sport across all of Okoto with varying origins, the most popular theory being that it was invented by Kodan, a desert-dwelling Okotan from the Creation Age. Although all sports are popular, there is an almost fanatical love of Kolhii, with official teams competing with one another for glory and even prizes. Chief Onewa has ordained local Kolhii tournaments so as to boost morale, and one fragment has been hollowed out to hold a main Kolhii arena, with there being discussion of a tournament hosting teams from all across Okoto. Of course, this will lead to an issue of regional differences in the rules. Every now and then, fans of certain Kolhii teams will clash, forcing Onewa and Nilkuu to step in.

           The Levatans are led by Chief Onewa, former Protector of Stone until old age and injuries forced him to retire. He was once an abrasive youth with a snarky attitude; Now, Onewa is an abrasive elder with a snarky attitude, and a bit more wisdom and experience. Thankfully, Onewa is fair, listening to the Levatans’ words, and he frequently corroborates with Nilkuu, Protector of Stone, and the Levatan Patrol. The Levatans have an official Public Department, the members who are tasked with various roles by Onewa.

           Many Okotans live upon the Levato Fragments. One of them is Bour, Head of the Public Department. Once a humble bricklayer and still one, Bour oversees construction projects and inspects the buildings and huts atop the Levato Fragments for stability and durability. His career leads him to frequently work with the Levatan Patrol regarding defense, as well as protocol for sandstorms and Skull Spider attacks, and he consults his aide Kamen on the lasting ability of the Levato Fragments. Lately he’s been hoping to add an additional Fragment to the Maw of Ketar, hauled in from elsewhere in the Motara Desert, but he is a perfectionist and refuses to begin until he has worked out every detail with Hewkii, Onewa, Nilkuu, and Kamen.

           Kamen is Bour’s Aide in the Public Department. Kamen plays a particularly vital role both functionally and culturally, testing the durability and lasting ability of buildings and constructs, as well as preserving art pieces by covering them with protective canvases during Sandstorms, as well as cleaning them. Kamen is just a tad OCD, but his occupation doesn’t bother him, but rather gives him some form of relief and release. He also believes that there is an inherent beauty in something’s ability to last, which seems to have translated to himself as well; Kamen may LOOK young, but he’s actually nearing his late forties.

           Epena is the Quarry Master, and frequently collaborates with the Public Department and Levatan Patrol, gathering resources required for certain projects- Resources in the desert, resources that the Gukko Airforce can’t procure for them. Working with the Levatan Patrol and Gukko Airforce, Epena has mapped out the Region of Stone and identified key spots where ores and other materials can be mined, such as cave entrances, or grounds dug up by Kikanalo herds. Epena is also a bit of an aspiring historian and archaeologist, hoping to explore lost temples and cities buried in the sands of the Motara Desert- Alas, until the Skull Spider threat is dealt with, such expeditions are but a luxury no one can afford, as Harvali discovered. If the spare time allows it, everyone is on board, and no Skull Spiders are in sight, Epena will lead mining expeditions for precious gems as well to sell, and boasts a few rings and jewelry of her own, courtesy of Tawahi smiths and Marn miners.

           Golyo is the local Mahi Herder. A particularly useful and unique feature of Mahi is that they require surprisingly little land despite being a herd species. Thus, whilst not as tasty or tender as the Mukau, Mahi goats are bred in a hollowed-out Fragment atop a base of soil imported from the Region of Jungle, tended to carefully by other members of the Public Department. Golyo, the wizened old man, overlooks the Mahi herds, and spends much of his time alone with them- In this alone time, Golyo likes to tell stories of his time as a member of the Levatan Patrol, until Skull Spiders tore out his legs. He is patient, and likes to spend his time looking out over the herds, watching them- But sometimes he falls asleep, but thankfully nobody notices.

           Kivi is a carver in her spare time, but mainly her profession is tending to the Cactus Farms, from which the Levatans get the majority of their drinking water, and making sure the Mahi herd soil is fertile. Kivi is very particular on the conditions of the farms, being a bit of a botanist with knowledge from Orkahm of the Region of Jungle. A timid soul who can’t handle the bloodshed of Skull Spiders, Kivi offers her own support in a form of a bar, dubbed Kivi’s Oasis, where she sells drinks and smoothies using water, plants imported from the Vuata Maca, as well as ice from Kokoro. Levatan Patrol members and veterans get discounts on her refreshing drinks and smoothies, and Patrol members returning from a mission get a free drink each! Kivi also has a bit of a crush on Podu, the local game hunter, and dreams of riding with him toward a Motaran Sunset.

           Podu is the local outcast and loner. Never quite a part of the group since childhood, Podu now makes his living as the game hunter, travelling out on his boat beyond the Maw of Ketar to hunt, hoping to acquire Nui Jaga stingers, which are made from precious ivory, and other luxuries, as well as more exotic meats. Due to the risky, self-centered nature of his profession, Onewa has warned him that the Levatan Patrol isn’t necessarily accountable for him, and that when he goes out, he does so on his own risk. Podu is fine- He isn’t too concerned, really, about living. He mainly hunts so he can feel like he’s not just prey for the Skull Spiders, but his own predator, and aside from the trophies he keeps in his hut, he makes sure not to waste anything from his kill.

           Melea is a bit of a local hermit. A kindly, older woman, rumor has it that she and Nilkuu were associated in the past, but in what way is uncertain. Now, Melea lives away from the Maw of Ketar, a risky status; Instead, she lives in the ruins of a partially submerged tower, one carved from a sturdy ore that the Skull Spiders can’t pierce. Like Podu, she goes out every now and then to hunt, and is very efficient and skilled in survival tactics. Outsiders believe that she had a falling out of sorts with the Levatans as a whole, but the details remain obscure.

           Oda is the younger sister of Ako, a member of the Levatan Patrol. Frequently brought little gifts found by Ako amidst the ruins from the Creation Age, Oda has since made a living making leather cords, beads, necklaces, and other little trinkets to sell, helping support her sister.

           Amongst the Levatans, a group of volunteers has formed a militia dubbed the Levatan Patrol. Commanded by Nilkuu, and directed by Onewa, the Levatan Patrol is responsible for defending Levato from the Skull Spiders, as well as setting up defenses against them, mapping out the Motara Desert, searching for lost Okotan technologies, and keeping an eye out for other threats. Members of the Levatan Patrol are usually organized into escorts, each of which mans a vehicle of some sort- Usually Creation Age vessels, or those modeled after them, such as the Sand Surfers, boats designed to travel along Quicksand, spider-like walkers, and the Sand Stalkers, a peculiar species of animal that can traverse across quicksand. The Levatan Patrol has weaponized their quicksand, firing globs of it at Skull Spiders to incapacitate and mobilize them- Sometimes, if Skull Spiders are still stuck, they can be safely captured and be either sent off to Kiniga to be studied, or else sent to Tawahi to be harvested and processed for their materials.

           Hewkii is the lieutenant of the Levatan Patrol, acting as right-hand man to Nilkuu. A Kolhii champion with an unprecedented record, he seems to have everything. Possessing a sense of fair sportsmanship, as well as teambuilding and strategy, all from his Kolhii childhood, Hewkii frequently directs the Levatan Patrol in their missions of scouting out the Motara Desert, searching for Skull Spiders that may have hidden themselves in the sands, keeping a look-out, etc. Hewkii likes to lead team-building exercises in which the Levatan Patrol tries to ‘invade’ the Levato Fragments, directing his group to weaknesses in the defense, as part of a lesson to Bour and the others about hiding weak points. Wielding a modified kolhii staff with a retractable blade, Hewkii is able to translate his lithe, fast style of Kolhii playing to the battlefield.

           Hafu is a member of the Levatan Patrol, and Master Carver. In his spare time, he is known across Okoto for his amazingly-detailed works, most of which depict… himself. Despite his narcissism, Hafu still takes requests and commissions, and is willing to give free lessons to others, considering those more important than his current projects. And despite his inflated ego, Hafu has a strong sense of honor, refusing to escape from a battle unless everyone else is ahead of him- Of course, he makes sure everyone will tell his tale if he DOES die, but that’s not important. Hafu’s skill with stone makes him good at setting natural traps amongst the rocky face of the Region of Stone, exploiting weak points in the stone. Sometimes while on patrol, Hafu will also carve his likeness into a stone face, or carve the words ‘Hafu was here’. This latter hobby was particularly funny to him, until one day he returned to the sight of a carving and found a response from an unknown author; ‘I’m here too’. All of the other Patrol members swear they never carved such a response as a prank, and Hafu has been deeply disturbed ever since.

           Piatra is a member of the Levatan Patrol, tasked with looking through her telescope for signs of buried Skull Spiders, and for keeping watch of sandstorms- Piatra has a bit of an intuition for when a sandstorm is coming, an intuition that has proved reliable. Covered in a headscarf, Piatra wears one of many painted masks made for her by Gadjati, having a collection of them. She is a bit of an art connoisseur herself, enjoying exhibits, and has made graffiti before.

           Gadjati is a carver, but most professionally a painter, and member of the Levatan Patrol. Gadjati gathers his paints from various ingredients delivered to him by the Gukko Airforce, or from materials found in the Motara Desert. He likes to use the sights he sees while on his dayly and nightly patrols to inspire his own personal paintings, and suffers from the occasional PTSD involving Skull Spiders, which killed his entire family and even briefly possessed him. Sometimes at night he’ll be haunted by nightmares of them, wake in a cold sweat, pace around his hut, and proceed to paint the terrifying visions he’s seen of the Skull Spiders. Unlike his other pieces, Gadjati has refused to show them off. On a lesser note, Gadjati has lately been consulting Kamen on preserving his painted graffiti, which he places on stone surfaces. Kamen has suggested he stick to paper canvas, a suggestion that offends him.

           Pekka is a Levatan Patrol member with a mask, goggles, breathing apparatus, and cloak a little too big for him. A little on the snarky side, with a touch of sass and a sense of humor, his main task is dealing with buried Skull Spiders, manning the Quicksand cannon, and burying mines that can be used to destroy incoming hordes. Pekka has a bit of a rock collection, composed of various stones that have caught his eye while patrolling the Motara Desert, and he displays his collection in his home. He even has a pedestal displaying his current Favorite Rock (as of now, an Amethyst) and his comrades like to make rock jokes about him.

           Ako is a scavenger amongst the Levatan Patrol, and rumor has it that she’s a relative to the hermit Melea in some way- But she doesn’t like to talk about it. Instead, she busies himself working with the Gukko Airforce and other Levatan Patrol scouts in finding ruins from the Creation Age, hoping to find tools and technology buried within the sands that can be used against the Skull Spiders. Her proudest find? The spider-walker she uses in her patrols. She has a younger sister, Oda, whom she will occasionally bring unique but functionless finds from her patrols in the ruins of the Region of Stone.

           Dekar is a quiet, masked Levatan with a large rice-hat perpetually covering him in shade, taller than most, and wearing a mask and cloak that covers most of himself. Not much of a talker, he is dedicated to his job and constantly wary of the desert, treating every patch of sand as a potential Skull Spider hiding place. He is also a bit of a skeptic regarding the more spiritual side of Okoto and is wary of Ako’s finds, being a bit paranoid of Creation Age technology, and he hopes that Okoto can defeat the Skull Spider threat without ever relearning how to create Masks of Power, as that was what led to the Great Cataclysm in the first place. Dekar is frequently armed with a reloading crossbow, custom-made by himself.

           Ally once explored a ruins with Ako, and after fighting off a Skull Spider encounter, he came out with the fruits of his conquest- A suit of antique, Okotan armor. After incorporating the armor into his clothing, Ally has since been a fan of the antique, reading about Okoto’s history through books brought in by the Gukko Airforce. Every now and then, he uses his role as a Levatan Patrol member, scouting out ruins, to find cool little artifacts to either keep, or sell at his store. Sometimes he’ll auction something off to an Okotan trader, and Kokkan and Tuuli have butted heads over a copper, ceremonial mask he once found. Otherwise, his role mostly consists of providing and replenishing water stores to his fellow Patrol members. And before you ask, yes, there are many jokes about how Ally is an ‘ally’ you can count on.