Matoran-Akota Open Build
Hello, everyone!Â
This is an open invitation to all to create and submit your own matoran for my Akota Nui continuity. To help you get started, you’ll find a brief overview of the different matoran races with links to their turaga below. I highly recommend reading both the turagas’ lore as well as the overviews. If I feel a character really fits well into the continuity, I may make them canon. If I do canonize them, I'll make a special post regarding the character.Â
To submit, simply include @toakiora in your post. Please include a link to this post so that others may know how to participate.
If you have any questions regarding the open build, Akota Nui, the matoran, etc., feel free to submit an ask.
Have fun!
~Toa Kiora <3
The Ancients and the Outsiders
The Ancients are the matoran who survived the Second Cataclysm and existed before the Third. The Great Cataclysms are events which brought an end to nearly all life on the planet. The nature of the Cataclysms is unknown, for most of the Ancients’ records have been lost to time. Nevertheless, there are numerous, often conflicting, beliefs regarding what may have transpired during the Third Cataclysm.
Before the Third Cataclysm, it was believed the Ancients were visited by an extraterrestrial race known as the Outsiders. Ancient and Outsider relics riddle Akota Nui, and they lend to the belief that the two species managed to integrate into a singular society- a peace which did not last. Many believe that the Third Cataclysm was the result of a conflict between the Outsiders and the Ancients, yet few can agree to the nature of the conflict. Some suggest that the Outsiders were divine, deeming them ‘Angels,’ and that they were sent by the Great Spirit to bring salvation to the Ancients. These same individuals believe that the Ancients failed to be redeemed, and thus were destroyed as punishment. Others suggest the Outsiders sought to betray the Ancients and claim the island for their own. Nevertheless, both the Ancients and the Outsiders are gone- proof of their existence solely manifest by the decaying ruins scattered across the land.
Vagrants
Ethereal beings which inhabit Akota Nui. What used to be a minor nuisance to the matoran is now perhaps the greatest threat to matoran life. The Vagrants are generally hostile towards matoran, although other, more peculiar, behaviors have been observed.
Av-Matoran: High Turaga Aviah
Only one Av-Matoran exists on Akota Nui, High Turaga Aviah. As founder of the Church of Cradle, Akota Nui’s most powerful religious institution, Aviah holds phenomenal influence. Beneath Aviah is the Church’s Papal Administration, a zealous group of elites which oversees the actions of the Church and enforces its laws. The principle belief of the Church is that all life on Akota was born from a singular divine entity, known simply as ‘Mother.’ It is their belief that Mother was the one chosen by the Angels to renew life on Akota after the Angels brought an end to the Ancients as punishment for their sins. They believe she slumbers within the Cradle of Life, an ancient temple which rests at the center of the island. Through her, they believe they can be reborn as Angels. As such, the Church scours the island, searching for the key to gaining entrance into the Cradle of Life, an ancient temple which lies at the center of the island.
Originally, the Church of Cradle was a peaceful institution, but as the years passed, and the Vagrant threat increased, the Papal Administration grew more fearful that the end was near. Their laws grew stricter and their influence more heavy-handed. They became invasive, interfering with the livelihoods of those who did not share their faith. While Aviah discouraged this, the Papal Administration undermined his words, and they slowly relinquished Aviah of his standing within the Church. One day, Aviah called the other turaga to M’rama, the holy city which serves as the Church’s base of operations. Only one turaga arrived at the city, it was then M’rama fell to the Vagrants and Aviah disappeared. With M’rama gone, and their numbers devastated by the Vagrant attack, the Church had fallen into disarray.
Ga-Matoran: Galia, Turaga of Water
The Ga-Akotan Domain is a matriarchal society led by the graceful Galia, Turaga of Water. Women compose the majority of the Ga-Akotan population, and they often hold positions of greater significance. Nevertheless, both men and women are treated as equals.
The Ga-Akotan rule the waterways, providing commerce, as well as transit for travelers, through Akota Nui’s vast network of rivers. Before the fall of M’rama, the Papal Administration attempted instill crippling taxes on trade and transportation in an attempt to garner additional funds for their operations. Galia opposed this, and ties with the Church were severed as conflict arose between the two factions.
Ko-Matoran: Konari, the Vanished
The Ko-Akotan scholars toil surreptitiously within the Grand Archives, seeking to uncover the truth behind the very nature of Akota Nui. They are led by the three Grand Scholars: Korva, Kotapa, and Otelle. While the Grand Scholars possess minimal interest in the Church’s faith, they share a common interest: gaining access to the Cradle’s depths. The Grand Scholars are convinced that the truth they’re seeking lies in the heart of the temple. The Church and the Grand Scholars formed a powerful partnership; however, as the Church continued to assert itself upon the denizens of Akota, unease rose among the Ko-Akotan scholars.
Le-Matoran: Lenua, Turaga of Air
The Le-Akotan live fleeting lives. As such, it is customary for Le-Akotan to embark on a journey of self-fulfillment before their passing. Once a Le-Akotan reaches young adulthood, their departure is christened by the Ceremony of the South Wind.
Onu-Matoran: Onuvius, Turaga of Earth
Onu-Akotan tend to live reclusive lives within the walls of Onu-Koro. They’re steeped in mystery, birthing myths of peculiar rituals and even Vagrant worship. Within Onu-Koro is the Darkwatch, a small religious sect tasked with guarding the Pit- and chasm which is home to an indescribable darkness. At some point in their lives, Onu-Akotan of Onu-Koro are granted a choice whether or not to leave Onu-Koro. This decision is permanent. It is unknown what befalls those who choose to stay. As for those who depart, they are sworn into secrecy, vowing never to disclose the happenings of Onu-Koro. Each are assigned a Shadow, an adept assassin tasked solely to dispatch the Onu-Akotan if ever they dare impart Onu-Koro’s secrets, as well as the one the secrets were revealed to.
Po-Matoran: Poha, Turaga of Stone
Within the Karzahni Desert, there is a clan of Po-Akotan known as the Transients. In the cooler seasons, they scour the desert for Ancient ruins uncovered by the hazardous desert winds. During the summer, when the heat has become too much for even them to bear, they journey across Akota Nui in search of trade. They trade Ancient relics for food, supplies, and various other items; however, they save the best finds for the Ko-Akotan scholars. Over the years, the relationship between the Ko-Akotan scholars and the Transients grew unstable, for Korva’s questionable research, and her ties to the Papal Administration, gravely concerned the Transients’ leader.
Ta-Matoran: Tamir, Turaga of Fire
The once-mighty Ta-Akotan empire has been rendered to naught but ash. None are certain as to the nature of Ta-Koro’s destruction, but many myths permeate the taverns across Akota Nui. Most believe the volcano, once thought to be dormant, the Ta-Akotan empire was built upon erupted, immolating all caught within the blast. There are whispers, however, of a monstrous figure rising from the volcano’s summit. Some even say the Church had a hand in it, for the Ta-Akotan were powerful opponents to the Church. Nevertheless, few Ta-Akotan remain, and they tend to live in secrecy- they hold great value in the trafficking market.
