The G2 Protectors given more individuality because while G2 was rather middling in execution, it did have its fair share of neat ideas and I think the Protectors were some of their better ones. The launcher gimmicks they had were stupid fun and Korgot is De Facto The Best One by virtue of the cannon placement and bucking the “only the water tribe is female” trend of the original run.
Profiles under the cut:
The vast deserts of Po-Wahi are dangerous for any one villager to travel alone, fraught with frightful beasts, hazardous sands and the risk of being raided by bandits. Safe traversal requires a good courier, and this is where Nilkuu comes in. An expert at transporting goods and passengers alike, Nilkuu's staff and considerable combat prowess ensure safe passage. Largely mercenary in profession and demeanor, Nilkuu tends to keep others at an arm's length, but anecdotal evidence from select clients suggests that he's far softer than he lets on.
Korgot is the eldest daughter of Turaga Whenua of Onu-Koro. The vast, ever-expanding territory of Onu-Wahi is fraught with peril, and to keep her people safe, Korgot has thoroughly trained herself in multiple disciplines of combat, even going so far as to modify her own body to install a cannon in it (much to her father's chagrin.) Though serious and often bullheaded, her devotion to her people is unquestionable, and has more than earned the respect of her peers.
Vizuna is a fleet-footed archer from the treetops of Le-Wahi. While the Gukko force gets into the thick of the fray, Vizuna does his best work from the shadows, providing support while Kongu's forces keep the enemy distracted. The sensitive tendrils growing out of his ankles alert him to any nearby presence, making him nearly impossible to get the drop on. In spite of his considerable skill, Vizuna is quite modest, downright bashful even. When relieved of his shift, Vizuna can often be found tending to his treetop garden or attempting a rendezvous with Korgot.
Kivoda has the important, if not necessarily the most glamorous, occupation of cartographer, exploring and painstakingly logging the reefs of Ga-Wahi. Through his considerable knowledge, his fellow Ga-Matoran are able to find key fishing spots, chart shortcuts across the sea, and keep an eye out for dangerous predators like the Tarakava or Takea. It's arduous work, constantly growing and occassionally dangerous, but Kivoda is nothing if not devoted... sometimes to the point of being stuck in his own little world. He does quite love his family, however, and looks out for his younger sister Macku, though this often entails having to drag her back home from Po-Koro when she sneaks out to visit Hewkii.
Narmoto serves the crucial role of being Turaga Vakama's personal bodyguard. Though far from being as strong as a Toa, Narmoto is still a force to be reckoned with, equipped with twin fire whips and a back-mounted concussion blaster. Where Vakama goes, Narmoto will invariably follow, ever wary of their surroundings. While he takes his job quite seriously, Narmoto is also possessed of a dry sense of humor-- one that flies over the heads of some, but the perceptive Whenua and Nuju have been able to pick up on and appreciate.
The elderly, wizened Izotor serves as a monk and scholar at the Ko-Koro temple. Rumor has it he was a great warrior in his heyday, but his encroaching age has forced him to take on a more bureaucratic role. His sharp wit is matched only by his scathing tongue-- Izotor is brutally honest, and not one to keep quiet on the matter of the truth. The current Toa of Ice, Kopaka, respects him greatly, and when he feels Nuju is being too oblique he'll turn to Izotor for guidance.
The ruins of a city nestled atop Mount Ihu, in the present-day Region of Ice. Legend has it that when two deities were in combat, one of them sliced the tallest mountain in Okoto, Ihu, in half. Atop its now-flattened top, Kokoro was built. The city of Kokoro was one of many with far-reaching, crystalline spires and Knowledge Towers, from which Okotans would do their research and studying, and observe the stars. After the Great Cataclysm, many of these villages collapsed, but Kokoro managed to withstand enough so as to be habitable.
Knowledge Towers still make up its skyline, but many of them are cracked and/or collapsed, requiring reinforcements. Some effort has been made to repair them, although the top of one tower had broken off during the Cataclysm and fallen in the center of the city. Its hollowed-out top was repurposed to be the city hall, where meetings held by Izotor and the ruling council are held. Despite the damage, Kokoro’s inhabitants still use the Knowledge Towers to look at the stars, or tried to- The perpetual snow storms have covered up any and all sunlight. Beneath Kokoro, at the center, is a massive furnace that is tended to and fueled by an Okotan who wields a Mask of Fire. This furnace keeps the inhabitants from freezing to death in Kokoro, and fuels many other applications as well. During the Gukko Airforce’s routine visits, they bring as much firewood as they can, along with food.
Kokoro’s direct placement atop the peak of Ihu, and Ihu’s icy slopes, have created the perfect conditions for warding off Skull Spiders. The perpetual snowfall gathers around the mountain, which is incredibly steep. Attempts by Skull Spiders to ascend the side of Ihu from the bottom result in the ordinarily fragile snow crumbling due to their sharp legs, and thus falling, knocking them down and burying them in avalanches. The Skull Spiders can never get far enough up the side of the mountain, and snow keeps gathering.
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.
Kantai was once a member of the Hunting Parties, but during a Skull Spider attack he was separated and presumed dead. Instead, he survived, and estranged from the others, he was forced to become a hermit, travelling and stumbling across the milder forests of the Region of Ice, where he lives.
Okoto has been the islands of the Matoran (Now known as the Okotans) for a thousand years. Since the first elders came to be, they elected protectors to help them protect their villagers from the Skull Raiders and other threats. The Island was managed and controlled by the two Mask Makers, who were the only ones able to craft masks on the island, regardless of their power. Ekimu, with the mask of Creation, and Makuta, with the Mask Of Control. After Makuta was corrupted by power by the Mask Of Ultimate Power, Ekimu forced the both of them into an eternal slumber, waiting for the toa for being awakened.
In that time, many protectors and Turaga came and went, but only 6 of them were able to welcome the toa to the island of Okoto
A tradition that dates back long before even the Creation Age, the Protectors are a generational task-force of Okoto’s greatest heroes, designated with keeping peace, defending against threats, appeasing Okotan deities, and generally leading everyone towards a greater future.
The exact story of how the Protectors came to be is garbled, and there are many interpretations. The most popular claims that the first Protectors were descended from the favored hosts, or Kaita, of the Elemental Spirits. Others claim the first Protectors WERE these Kaita, just no longer hosting their patron deities.
Regardless of the exact origin, the meaning behind them and their purpose has stayed the same. There are six Protectors at a time, at maximum, with one corresponding with each of the primordial elements that make up Life. The role is typically for a lifetime, or at least until one is too elderly or weakened to continue their duties; That being said, there have been cases of Protectors who chose to forsake their duties even when still able-bodied. These stories are looked upon warily, and seen as bit of a scandal and disgrace in Okoto’s history.
The line of succession for a Protector is as follows; Every Protector has a designated heir to take their mantle in the case of a sudden death or forced retirement. The reasoning is that if the original Protectors were worthy heroes of good judgment, then their choices for the next generation would have worthy judgment… and so on, and so forth. Obviously this system isn’t perfect, but the tradition is generally there.
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.
Flammik combined both of her blades into a single broadsword, and incorporated her blaster into her shield. Bitil wielded a gatling blaster tied to his left wrist, while dual-wielding his blades upside-down, fused with his longswords. Droton wielded two blades on one arm as a pair of claws, while Onewa had two flails with a blade incorporated at the end of each.
