#kabrua

[thelegendrebuilt]

Before the Great Changing robbed the Vorox of their speech… Before the Great Beings played god with the people of the Sand Tribe… Before the treachery of Velika was revealed and the world was broken anew… There was an impossible mask, and six forgotten warriors.

While the Sand Tribe was most numerous in the vast deserts of Bara Magna even before the Shattering, not all members of their tribe remained in the wastelands. A few, feeling an affinity for the sandy coastlines of Spherus Magna’s seas, left their nomadic wanderings and became raiders, pirates, and explorers upon the waves.

One such sailor discovered Ferrux and his company of five as they attempted to circumnavigate it on foot. Seeing an opportunity, the captain — known to his crew as Kabrua — offered the travelers safe passage to the fortress of the Great Beings. He didn’t ask much in return… only that when they presented the mysterious mask to the scientist kings, he would be allowed to accompany them. For you see, he had many questions to ask the elusive rulers of the planet…

Forgotten Warriors: 6/6

[that1cactus]

BIONICLE - The Yesterday Quest

Did this really cool poster for The Yesterday Quest story arc long ago and it was a pretty big piece that I'm still proud of.

Members can enjoy the full-res and project files on my Ko-Fi [Ko-Fi] [Files]

(The Teaser Poster)

[sepublic]

Bota Magna Speculation

         Let’s talk about the cancelled Bota Magna arc of Bionicle.

         We know the general synopsis of the Valley of the Maze arc, which would’ve had its own film as a sequel to The Legend Reborn. We can see how 2009 laid the groundwork for what should’ve been 2010; There’s the mention of the Element Lords, as well as Tarduk’s quest. There’s emphasis on the maze and the Skrall, the setup of the Baterra that Tuma is struggling with, as well as the map that alludes to the Great Volcano up north; Later revealed to be artificial and housing a power source used in the Prototype Robot.

         But I’m curious about the Bota Magna arc… The synopsis of the fifth film –which keep in mind was a rough draft- ended with the Great Volcano erupting, unleashing its power source in an arc of energy that would strike the Prototype Robot and power it. By this point, it’s ready for Mata Nui to control, thus setting the stage for the final battle with Makuta. However, Mata Nui is unable to do this, because he, Kiina, and Ackar are diverted to the jungle moon of Bota Magna instead.

         I questioned what was even the point of the Bota Magna arc beyond presumable filler, an attempt to sell Bionicle dinosaurs as toys; We know that’s what Bota Magna would’ve had, hence Reign of Shadows mentioning biomechanical dinosaurs. And I presume Bara Magna’s Rock Steeds were the prelude to these dinosaurs, likely beasts who were left behind on Bara Magna and managed to survive in the desert.

         But there’s an important plot thread set up multiple times in TLR, as well as the previous Bionicle saga; The Great Beings. We never get to see them show up despite all this buildup of finding them, and the Yesterday Quest has our team of protagonists search for the Great Beings… In Bota Magna. And it’s clear that Greg is trying to write in some cancelled concepts from the original years of 2010 and 2011 for Bionicle; The Element Lords being Velika’s generals is likely to make up for how they were robbed of being 2010’s main villains.

         And while a lot of things are just Greg inserting stuff into canon for the heck of it, there’s also the confirmation of at least one Great Being on Bota Magna; The one cursed by the Ignika, which also plays a central role in the Bara Magna arc, despite its soft reboot nature. Thus, aside from pulling in buyers with the allure of dinosaurs, I think the Bota Magna arc would’ve served as the long-awaited introduction of the Great Beings, and likely wrapped up a lot of questions and origins for Mata Nui and the Great Spirit Robot.

         After all, what else is there to do, when the Prototype Robot is fully-powered and ready to go by the end of 2010? What narrative reason is there to divert and delay Mata Nui from his quest, when he should otherwise be ready to fight Makuta… Besides the Great Beings? The Bota Magna arc would’ve brought in the Great Beings, and the dinosaurs would’ve been additional worldbuilding that leads up to their presence; It’s confirmed that the Great Beings modified fauna such as the Skopio or Iron Wolves, after all. So the region where they were located would, presumably, suffer the most from their science.

         Mata Nui’s quest for closure on the Great Beings likely would’ve put him at odds with the Glatorian and Agori who despise technology. Their armor is ‘synthetic’, being a fusion of metal and plantlife, and they wield tools of similar substances, as well as stone. In addition to dinosaurs, we probably would’ve gotten some Glatorian-Agori sets with new armor and weapon pieces that reflect this symbiotic nature, likely dual-molded.

         Thus, while Mata Nui has to grapple with dinosaurs, he inevitably earns the ire of the Bota Magna Glatorian and Agori when he brings up the Great Beings. And the presence of said Great Beings probably means that the Glatorian-Agori were at odds with them for a while, post-Shattering. Mata Nui might’ve eventually called the Great Beings out on their meddling with nature, and how their projects have potentially harmed Bota Magna and given its inhabitants more reason to be distrustful of them.

         Not only that, but we might’ve gotten to see the Skrall homeland, which we know was on Bota Magna. Thus, it’s possible we could’ve gotten a set or two regarding Bota Magna Skrall, or it could just be a brief detail that Greg threw in, that wouldn’t factor into the primary storyline that much. There’s also the Northern Frost, where the Ignika was cooled, also located on Bota Magna; So both locations may have been planned for the cancelled 2011 arc.

         Now I want to get onto the Mask of Life. As I mentioned, it was brought over with Mata Nui as part of the soft reboot nature of the Magna saga, and its deadly powers have been showcased; Imbuing weapons with elemental energy, transforming living things, and so forth. While the Cursed Being was introduced way back in 2006, I think he would’ve been brought back in 2011, as the story was nevertheless still exploring the power of the Mask of Life. So while Bota Magna finally shows us the Great Beings, in doing so this arc explores the origins of Mata Nui… As well as the Mask of Life he’s wearing. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a place vital to Ignika’s creation, as well as a Great Being afflicted by it, is all here.

         And given how verdant Bota Magna is, teeming with all sorts of biodiversity, it probably would’ve been a setting to further explore the Mask of Life’s full potential. It's got plenty of life to work with, as well as a Great Being who could give insight into its creation, with the Northern Frost providing additional lore. This Cursed Being could’ve been an antagonist as well, possibly bearing ill will against the Mask of Life and wanting it destroyed or removed, which would of course put him at odds with Mata Nui.

         Who knows? If the Mask of Life was going to become more relevant and have its origins explored with Mata Nui’s on Bota Magna… Maybe its consciousness, as Ignika the person, would finally return! Given how Mata Nui’s arc is about learning to be a better leader and make up for his neglect, perhaps we would’ve seen Ignika continue his storyline of becoming a proper hero, and owning up to his mistakes; Possibly resolving things with the Cursed Being and freeing him of his curse as apology, setting up parallels with Mata Nui with taking responsibility. They are physically intertwined with one another, after all, to the point where Mata Nui is associated with Ignika, and Ignika has the GSR on its visage too!

         Now, Kabrua and his Vorox. This is possibly just a thing Greg threw in of his own volition, but maybe it’s not! The Vorox did get a hard deal back on Bara Magna, and Mata Nui represents Sand; He’s the closest thing to a Glatorian Legend set for the Vorox that we’d get, his first encounter is against one, and his sword made from its stinger! Mata Nui is thematically tied to the Vorox in that sense.

         They may not have had sets, but perhaps Kabrua and his Vorox would be antagonists, having a grudge on the Glatorian because they… Somehow know how their brethren on Bara Magna have been treated? Okay that’s kinda weak, but maybe there’s communication tech that told them, since Velika had that. Kabrua possibly recognizes Mata Nui’s sword as a Vorox stinger and is made even more hostile as a result.

         As a growing ruler, Mata Nui takes it upon himself to help the Vorox, making peace with Kabrua; The Mask of Life, whose potential is being explored here, is offered as a possible solution. Given how it made Icarax devolve as a Makuta, perhaps Ignika could do the same/reverse, undoing the degeneration of the Vorox. Now it’s possible Kabrua actually tries to take the Ignika away from Mata Nui for this purpose, and this is another reason for conflict, rather than a solution to it; Getting some old Barraki vibes here…

         Finally, there’s one more thing I want to discuss, and that’s the infamous Earth Tribe. Now, it’s possible that this was never planned, and Greg just made it up out of nowhere to throw the fans a bone with new story content, that sort of thing. But based on what we know about the Earth Tribe, as well as the Valley of the Maze film… I think the Earth Tribe was, for the most part, a planned part of the Bota Magna arc.

         The first hint is the presence of Tera, a Glatorian of the Earth Tribe. They would’ve been in the Valley of the Maze film, and I don’t think Greg misremembered Tera’s element, either. The fifth film’s climax would’ve had our protagonists open a door requiring all of the elements, though Iron was unfortunately left out as always. Hence, that’s why the characters of ‘Buckethead’ the Skrall, Oris the Jungle Glatorian, Likus of Ice, would’ve been included; They fulfill elemental quotas. And I don’t think the toy designers and story writers would want to include a redundant protagonist.

         Because Buckethead has so much of a role in the Valley of the Maze film, I doubt Tera was meant to take his place as Rock, and Greg made a mistake; Their name invokes Terra, meaning Earth to begin with! And I don’t think they were meant to be Sand, either- Mata Nui fulfills that role, he’s literally made of Sand and arguably more Element Lord than Glatorian. I think Greg remembered Tera’s element properly, that there was going to be a new tribe, the Earth Tribe, introduced- And Tera would be our setup to this ‘new’ element.

         Their character could’ve also been a potential source of exposition, one foreshadowing and building up to the reveal of the Earth Tribe, for their proper role in the Bota Magna arc. I’m guessing we would’ve learned from Tera how the Earth Tribe didn’t participate in the Core War, with the Earth Lord’s machinations possibly laid outright, or saved to be revealed in 2011. If the Earth Lord’s evil isn’t known by this point, it’s possible Mata Nui and co. would assume the Earth Tribe as good thanks to their experience with Tera. We might’ve seen the Earth Tribe welcome them in with open arms, only for the Earth Lord’s evil to be revealed, as she plans to use Mata Nui for her own nefarious purposes.

         Perhaps she would’ve been after the Great Beings, just want to control Bota Magna, etc. While the other Glatorian-Agori of Bota Magna are shown to be paranoid, it’s possible some deadly foreshadowing would occur, with a few warning Mata Nui and revealing the Earth Tribe’s machinations; Only to be dismissed as ignorant savages. Alas, just because Tera was good, doesn’t mean the rest of their tribe is… They’re introduced in the same year as Buckethead, who is also a good representative of an antagonistic tribe.

         We know from Greg that the Earth Tribe would’ve had brown and black coloration, and their motif is agriculture. Their connection to Earth would’ve been about soil for farming, rather than mining; And in canon, they cited their lack of participation in the Core War as concern for the planet and nature. The Earth Tribe would probably be initially presented as harmless, nature-loving hippies, and the Earth Lord as a ‘good’ Element Lord, a Mother Nature-esque figure… Only for the Earth Tribe’s true colors to be revealed. The Earth Lord would take on the role of a Gaia-esque figure, perhaps a vengeful Mother Earth, though I’m not sure if she’d care about the planet like an actual Mother Earth character would.

         The nature-loving motif of the Earth Tribe also places them well at home on Bota Magna, and in canon, most of their population was stranded on the jungle moon. That makes them an even better fit for Bota Magna, and thus gives more reason to believe they were planned as part of the Bota Magna arc as a whole. Since I speculate we would’ve gotten more lore and information about the origins of the series, the Earth Lord’s machinations in orchestrating the Core War would tie well into this.

         Her control over soil would make the Earth Lord very deadly; Possibly allowing her to pull more weight than an individual Element Lord normally did in the previous year, thanks to suitable terrain. Her element’s connection to nature through the soil it grows in would be weaponized, to make the Earth Lord an antagonist well-suited to the setting; But not as OP as the Jungle Lord. Thus, the Earth Lord is connected enough to nature to be a threat in a verdant world, but not SO connected as to be unstoppable.

         Hence, the Jungle Lord can’t be on Bota Magna because he’d be too powerful there, so we have Earth, an element close enough to elevate the Earth Lord over her brethren and justify herself as a separate threat and not just a rehash of 2010’s antagonists, but again; Not too connected to the environment as to be OP. This narrative balance would help the protagonists, and perhaps we would’ve seen Mata Nui and co. explore the treetops of Bota Magna to get away from the Earth Lord’s reach, thus setting up the introduction for Pterosaurs. In addition to her narrative weight as an orchestrator and connection to Bota Magna, I imagine the Earth Lord would’ve further stood out from her brethren thanks to having an actual army to work with; Her tribe still serves her.

         Who knows, perhaps through the Earth Lord we would’ve learned about the origins of Energized Protodermis, and gotten further lore on this substance that caused it all. We could’ve learned more about Protodermis and its connection to its energized variant, which would be further topical as Protodermis is the literal building block of the Matoran Universe, Mata Nui’s own body. Thus, the conflict with the Earth Tribe gives Mata Nui and the audience more lore regarding Energized Protodermis, its nature, and even its contributions to his own body.

         Going into further speculation, perhaps Mata Nui would’ve needed to address the existence of Energized Protodermis; Is it a necessary evil? It caused this Core War, but perhaps it wouldn’t have happened if not for the Earth Lord. HIS people didn’t start wars over it, so it’s possible the issue really is just in society and its unity, and not in the substance. Perhaps Mata Nui would contemplate what to do with Energized Protodermis, and maybe its consciousness would’ve also been reintroduced, similar to Ignika as the unnoticed mind of a powerful force. Perhaps the Energized Protodermis Entity would be revealed to be a puppetmaster of even the Earth Lord, forcing Mata Nui to defeat it.

         It’s worth noting that in canon, energized protodermis is used to stabilize the GSR’s power source; And we know the Prototype Robot’s power source is unstable itself. This fact is brought up in our canon final battle but ultimately does little other than explain why the Prototype blew up to begin with… But I have to wonder if in addition to closure on the Great Beings, the Bota Magna arc would’ve brought much-needed energized protodermis. Thus, Mata Nui returns to Bara Magna with the substance, allowing him to stabilize his Prototype Robot, so he doesn’t have to worry about it exploding again.

         This would be another contribution to the Prototype Robot’s reassembling, and further justify the Bota Magna arc, when Mata Nui seemingly already has what he needs to fight Makuta. Not that Bionicle has ever concerned itself too much with ‘narrative importance’, but regardless. The Magna saga seems to have been the story team’s attempts at telling a more concise story that’s easier to keep track of, hence the mainline films; So maybe they had this stuff in mind.

So to put in order my speculation on what was planned for the Bota Magna arc;

         Mata Nui and co. land on Bota Magna. They encounter biomechanical dinosaurs, seeing the works of the Great Beings before their very eyes. Their goal is to head back to Bara Magna, but they get into conflict with the Glatorian-Agori who hate technology, whose sets introduce new dual-molded pieces meant to represent metal and plantlife.

         These antagonists would reveal the presence of the Great Beings, thus incentivizing Mata Nui to find them as a way off Bota Magna, and to also get further aid and much-needed closure. We probably would’ve had an arc of Kiina adjusting to Bota Magna, since her whole deal was escaping the planet; Maybe she’d accept it, maybe she’d learn not to take her old home for granted. Perhaps Kiina would come to the conclusion that Bota and Bara Magna suck, leading to despair; Only for Mata Nui to bring hope when he learns from the Great Beings how he can bring new life to Spherus Magna after reforming it.

         He possibly learns this when exploring the Mask of Life’s origins; He finds the Northern Frost where it was cooled. The consciousness of Ignika might return, to take responsibility in parallel to Mata Nui; Either way, these intertwined characters have both of their origins and pasts explored. The Cursed Being shows up, separate from his brethren, and is a likely antagonist and source of lore regarding Ignika, and a neat callback to 2006. To show how he’s a better ruler now, Mata Nui might free the Great Being of his curse; Perhaps he’ll reflect on how he treated Makuta as well, in parallel to Ignika.

         We would’ve explored the Skrall homeland, possibly providing further closure to the Rock Tribe back on Bara Magna; Maybe Buckethead would help the scattered Skrall rehabilitate and learn to coexist with the Agori tribes, and Tuma may join in on this, or continue to be a background threat like in the fifth film. Mata Nui informs the Bota Magna Skrall that there’s peace now, no more reason to fight.

         Kabrua and his tribe might show up, caring about their Vorox brethren back on Bara Magna; Thus, they have reason to be adversarial with our protagonists. They may or may not desire the Mask of Life, which might make or break Mata Nui’s conflict with Kabrua, regardless he’ll cure the Vorox anyway because he’s a good person. Given the Skrall’s penchant for enslaving Vorox, we might see the Bota Magna Skrall and Vorox fight a bit, with Mata Nui caught between and having to navigate this as well, hoping for both factions to make amends after meeting Buckethead.

         Finally, we’d roll around to the Earth Tribe, the hidden tribe from whom Tera’s existence sets up. Not only was Tera a good person, but this Earth Tribe seems to be kind, nature-loving hippies who care for the planet, hence why they never participated in the Core War. Even their Element Lord is good, a benevolent Mother Earth figure, hence why she’s still on good terms with her tribe unlike the rest of her brethren.

         However, something’s amiss about this group… Perhaps the tech-hating Agori/Vorox warn Mata Nui, but their previous antagonism makes the protagonists skeptical. Perhaps we’d see a common trope where all but one of the protagonists buys the act; Maybe Kiina would, wanting to believe in this new world she found, or she’d be suspicious of the Earth Lord, having professed her own wariness of the Water Lord in 2010. This leads to drama between the protagonists over whether or not to trust the Earth Tribe.

         From the Great Beings and Earth Lord, we learn more of the Core War, the Great Spirit Robot’s creation, Ignika’s past, and so forth. The importance of energized protodermis is brought up in all of this, and Mata Nui realizes he needs some if he doesn’t want his Prototype Robot back on Bara Magna to explode when he takes control. The danger of energized protodermis is something Mata Nui struggles with, and its consciousness possibly reveals itself as the final antagonist behind it all.

         The Earth Tribe’s treachery and machinations are revealed; Our protagonists have to evade the Earth Lord, maybe head to the treetops and encounter some pterosaurs. Mata Nui probably exercises his leadership in befriending the Bota Magna Agori, forming an alliance with them against the Earth Tribe, who seek to exploit the Great Beings, Mask of Life, and energized protodermis for themselves; He cites how the Earth Tribe caused this Core War, after all.

         Perhaps the Bota Magna Agori didn’t know the truth of the Earth Tribe, but learning this helps them stop blaming technology for the Core War, but instead the true culprits. Thus, Mata Nui makes peace with the Bota Magna Agori, who are less hostile to technology now. Kabrua and his Vorox might recognize the Earth Lord as the domino effect cause of their brethren’s degeneration, and ally with Mata Nui and the Bota Magna Skrall against a common enemy, just like the Agori Tribes against the Skrall in 2009; And/or, Kabrua’s Vorox ally with the Earth Tribe since they also hate Mata Nui and his friends, only for that to inevitably fall apart.

         Mata Nui learns about how the Earth Tribe has the last source of energized protodermis -with the rest being under Makuta’s control inside the Matoran Universe- thereby setting another goal and victory in defeating the Earth Lord, which he of course does. Mata Nui now has the substance he needs to properly rival his arch-nemesis. The Energized Protodermis Entity, set up as far back as a seemingly inconsequential side story from 2004, probably not even planned to be important like the substance it embodies, is potentially resolved; Revealed as a man behind the man for the Earth Lord. Maybe it even acts as an Element Lord of Protodermis, a final antagonist of that species after two years of fighting them.

         Mata Nui finds closure from the Great Beings, who may or may not ally with him; They probably go off into space as Greg planned for the canon story serials. The Great Beings might leave information and resources to help Mata Nui with, either at the end of the final battle, or they skedaddle right before. Either way, Mata Nui fully understands his mission now, and he has a swanky new spaceship to fly back to Bara Magna; Maybe it’s the Red Star, which the Great Beings call over from Aqua Magna.

         Its importance IS set up in Riddle of the Great Beings, and was tied to the Valley of the Maze; Maybe the Great Volcano was used to launch it into space alongside the GSR? Maybe the Red Star is where the Great Beings have always been, monitoring the Matoran Universe but unable to do anything to help besides create the Toa Inika. On Bota Magna, Mata Nui might activate a signal that calls the Red Star to him, where the Great Beings emerge and explain it all; Fans have speculated the Red Star would’ve contained the Great Beings in early 2001 concepts.  

         Kiina realizes she doesn’t have to choose between Bara and Bota Magna, because all three fragments will be reunited once more; She can still visit her old friends, like Berix and Gresh! The peoples of Bota and Bara Magna reunite, the Skrall reconcile with the Agori with the help of Buckethead, and Mata Nui stays true to his word and uses Ignika to heal the minds of the Vorox. Malum and Kabrua’s interactions are left up in the air, and as for the Earth Tribe…

         Well, given the more positive and kid-friendly direction of the intended ‘Magna Trilogy’ of films, I imagine the Earth Tribe would also learn to make amends; Not everyone is bad, our first introduction to them is Tera! With Tera, we might see members of the Earth Tribe who want to just peacefully coexist, who are sick of the Earth Lord’s scheming. Thus, Skrall and Earth Tribe parallel one another, and join the Agori alliance with the Vorox.

         Thus, the Bota Magna arc ends. This sounds like a lot, so maybe it’d take place across two years, like Bara Magna beforehand. Either way, the ultimate battle is finally set up; Mata Nui’s Prototype Robot is ready for him to control and fight Makuta with. The matter of the Great Beings is settled, and we actually get to explore Bota Magna as a setting. Lore, origins, and backstory are clarified here, instead of being subcontracted to a graphic novel.

         Given how the Agori have been living inside of the Prototype Robot’s pieces, I have to wonder… Would they act as its workers, as a counterpart to the Matoran and other biomechanicals of the GSR? It’d make sense in-universe, perhaps Mata Nui learns from the Great Beings that the Prototype failed because it lacked energized protodermis and workers to maintain it. 

        It’d also be thematically fitting; Mata Nui fails the people of his old body, so he makes up for it and returns in a new body, with a new following of workers with whom he’s properly engaged with and united. This puts him at odds with Makuta, who has the biomechanicals, and contrasts in his tyrannical rule over them, a dark echo to Mata Nui as a terrible god. Mata Nui’s relationship with the Agori reassures the Matoran that their Great Spirit isn’t going to fail them again.

         This does place potential complications in Mata Nui and Makuta’s final battle, of course; Now Mata Nui has to make sure the Agori inside of him aren’t hurt, either! Maybe the final battle would have both robots emptied of its inhabitants; This harms Makuta’s GSR as his workers are gone, giving Mata Nui a much-needed edge. It also allows the smaller inhabitants, the Agori and Matoran, to fight on ground-level against Makuta’s armies, in parallel to the battle of titans above.

        Perhaps we’d see Mata Nui successfully reunite Spherus Magna before he has to fight Makuta; Which of course brings Makuta to him anyway, because now they’re on the same celestial object. Then we have what Bionicle Stars should’ve been, as a proper conclusion that bridges the Matoran Universe and Magna storylines, while also not being rushed.

[sepublic]

Nynrah

           Once a prosperous district, Nynrah was the home of Xia’s most esteemed and elite scholars. Academics would find education in its prestigious colleges and universities, and Xia’s next generation of their finest, most brilliant minds were hosted here. Experiments into the very nature of the universe and life itself were conducted in order to unlock the secrets that conducted reality itself.

           One particular group of scientists emerged, known as the Nynrah Ghosts for their reclusive nature and pale masks. These Nynrah Ghosts were the most elite scientists and researchers in all of Xia, and were dressed in identical, uniform cloaks and outfits to prevent contamination and protect themselves during experiments. The Nynrah Ghosts did not care for ‘ethics’ or anything else they saw as hindering their search for the truth, and their forays into science and their various experiments. The homeless and prison populations were frequently sent to them to be tested upon, and they helped design a wide variety of deadly weapons, such as Rhotuka, the Hagah Plasma Cannon, Destructors, Zamor Launchers, and even the Vahki themselves.

           Graduates and other students who showed promise in the field of study would be inducted into the Nynrah Ghosts, led by their leader Trydahk, creator of the space-warping Trydahk Pods he named after himself. As the Nynrah Ghosts helped lead multiple technological advancements, they also began to experiment with biology, with the anatomies of Xians and other organisms. In particular, they found interest in Viruses, volatile, energy-based substances that had a wide variety of effects and reality-warping natures.

           Demand for their Bio-Weapons, organic creatures bred specifically for warfare and combat, rose in areas such as the Zakaz District. Biomechanical creatures meant for killing and assassination were devised, and horrific mutagens were created and tested within underground facilities. The Nynrah Ghosts operated with total impunity, and eventually created their most infamous mutagen of all; VISORAK, the Virus of Reconstitution and Killing. VISORAK’s powerful mutagenic properties, when applied to a victim, would randomly recode and reprogram their genetic sequence, mutating them into just about anything.

           Experiments on test subjects with VISORAK allowed the Ghosts to examine a wide variety of mutations they never could’ve imagined, and if a discovery was made with a particular mutation, it’d be studied, analyzed, and potentially even replicated and enhanced if considered potent enough. Waves of Bio-Weapons were designed after curious Visorak mutations, with those altered by the virus dubbed as ‘Vorox’. Intelligent, biomechanical spiders loyal to the Nynrah Ghosts, with a penchant for hunting and an immunity to Visorak, were designed to carry the venom within their fangs and inject it into victims.

           The Nynrah Ghosts initially operated discretely and illegally, sending their Visorak Spiders out to capture Xians and animals in the dark of night and deliver them to labs, where they’d be cocooned and injected with nutrients to help facilitate a mutation. Some Vorox were too damaged by their mutations to emerge from their cocoons, and were deemed failures and thrown amongst the bio-waste. Those that did emerge would be stunned and paralyzed by the Visorak spiders’ Rhotuka, to be properly contained and studied by the Nynrah Ghosts.

           Horrific experiments continued as usual, until one day, an incident happened. A Xian Heart was detonated, and while the exact details behind the accident are uncertain, it led to the destruction of a facility as various Bio-Weapons escaped and fled out into the surrounding district of Nynrah. Civilians were attacked, and rogue Visorak spiders fled, forming into packs to hunt and mutate as they pleased and desired.

           The Vahki were sent in to contain the incident, but more accidents began to happen, a chain-of-events, a horrific butterfly effect. Vorox accessed the water supply, dying as Visorak leaked into the waterways and was spread throughout Nynrah’s various canals, contaminating the water supply. This was only worsened when another facility was damaged and breached, and Visorak and other Viruses were released into Nynrah’s drinking water, with disastrous results; Many Xian residents were horrifically transformed, with some dying from the mutations, and others becoming destructive monsters devoid of conscious thought, acting only on murderous instinct.

           A few airborne plagues were accidentally released as the damage worsened. Riots ensued as Dume, Xia’s Head of Security, attempted to instate a mandatory quarantine and curfew, only for citizens to get infected anyway. Xian corporations focused on protecting their stocks over providing for those trapped in their homes, and resources dwindled as citizens became desperate. Xians fought over the remaining supply of food and clean, bottled water, even as Vahki violently suppressed riots and Vorox and other Bio-Weapons began to overtake Nyrnah. Mutations were spreading rapidly, and at this rate, it seemed almost the entirety of Nynrah’s water supply was infected.

           Chaos and anarchy began to descend as monsters and outbreaks spread out. The Nynrah Ghosts desperately attempted to quell the damage, but it only worsened as rival gangs and crimelords fought one another openly and deployed powerful weapons of destruction, including another few Xian Hearts. The Nynrah District began to actively collapse as cities burned and mobs of infected monsters roamed about.

           Dume became desperate to contain the incident, and announced a mandatory quarantine of the entire Nynrah District. Although some citizens managed to escape Nynrah before it was fully enstated, far too many were instead trapped when the Vahki erected massive, towering walls that surrounded the entire district. The coast was sealed off with giant Sea Gates to prevent the leakage of Visorak, mutagens, and other Viruses into the ocean surrounding Xia itself. Any and all travel from Xia was completely banned, and anyone and anything, from Vorox, to Bio-Weapons and Visorak spiders, and even uninfected Xians, that came too close to the border would be shot on sight by the Vahki, with stun staffs set to lethal.

           The horrific series of accidents, outbreaks, and the utter collapse of what was once the most prosperous Xian district, would later become dubbed the Nynrah Incident. The district was almost completely sealed-off, with heavy protection in the form of battalions, turrets, and even a few artillery cannons stationed along the walls. Entry and exit from Nynrah was expressly-forbidden by Dume.

           Those Xians trapped inside had a few options, most of them unpleasant. Some were outright skilled; Others were mutated. Some continued living cutthroat lives, gathering into groups and competing with one another for resources, while fending off rogue Vorox and roaming Visorak spiders.

           As for the Nynrah Ghosts? Most of them operated relatively safely from the underground safety of their bunkers and more secure facilities, examining the situation through cameras. And while some were horrified by what happened, others… Were interested.

           Because you see, it now appeared that they could examine in witness, in real-time, exactly how many of their horrific inventions and Bio-Weapons would function on the field. The Nynrah Incident yielded valuable, precious combat data on the effectiveness of some Bio-Weapons, of Visorak’s potency, and provided countless fascinating mutations for the Ghosts to study. When the district became quarantined, the Vahki effectively abandoned the region, interested only in regulating passage into and from Nynrah; Everything within the borders was essentially lawless.

           And because of this, the Nynrah Ghosts had free impunity to openly operate, sending out Bio-Weapons onto the surface to test their effectiveness, having Visorak Spiders kidnap Xians to experiment on, and even openly testing inventions on the remaining civilians, in broad daylight. Yes, it was a lawless, chaotic environment and post-apocalypse wasteland… But to Trydahk and his Nynrah Ghosts, the incident was a blessing in disguise.

           For just about everyone else, however, it was the end of the world, and even the end of one’s life. Amidst the roaming Vorox and escaped Bio-Weapons of various sizes and lethality, some maintained or even gained sapience and gathered into tribes, fighting over resources and tending to one another.

           As of now, the Nynrah District consists of ruined, post-apocalyptic cities, long in disrepair. Mutant Vorox roam the streets, and the water supply has long been infected and contaminated. Most uninfected Xians come from outside the district; It is not uncommon for powerful Xians to get rid of those they are displeased with, by having them exiled into Nynrah as a death sentence of sorts. Likewise, while the Vahki are ordered to guard the walls, they are more concerned with keeping things in Nynrah, than keeping others out of it; And with bribes and deals from the Nynrah Ghosts, a ready-supply of Xians can be transported within the district to be tested on, or released onto the surface for ‘field studies’.

           The canals have long-since been clouded with sludge, viruses, and various other pollutants, and unimaginable monstrosities dwell within them and the sewers. In one area of Nynrah is the Botana Forest, a jungle of mutated trees and flora that hosts massive Bio-Weapons and other Vorox. Often, if the Nynrah Ghosts are unhappy with a Bio-Weapon, they will either recycle its flesh and mechanical components, or else just let it loose onto the surface to do as it pleases. Acid rains are not uncommon, burning away at those unfortunate to be caught inside, and the storms can get powerful and intense, further spreading infectious substances throughout Nynrah. In some rivers and lakes, boats and cruise ships drift afloat, overtaken by Vorox.

           Vorox and Xians scavenge for remaining resources, such as leftover components from a Vahki hive, radio parts, discarded weapons and ammunition, and so on and so forth. The infected are unafraid of feasting on other Vorox, even sapient ones, for survival is dangerous and brutal. Some areas leak brutal, burning radiation, while others spew poisonous gases and airborne plagues. Horrifice lifeforms dwell about, hunting and stalking.

           Visorak Spiders prowl across Nynrah. While some continue to operate on the Nynrah Ghosts’ orders, others have broken free to hunt and mutate as they please, too intelligent and willful for their own good. Many of them have fallen underneath the leadership of the disgraced general Sidorak, who remains uninfected thanks to a special mask, and valiantly leads his spiders on hunts to their pleasure. Sidorak the ‘Visorak King’ and his spiders frequently come into conflict with Vorox clans, including ones led by the exiled Glatorian Malum, or the first-generation victim Kabrua.

           Outside of Nynrah, beings considered too dangerous or ‘undesirable’ for Xia, such as others mutated by outside sources, are quickly captured and released in Nynrah. Escape is just about impossible, with the Vahki programmed to always shoot first, and then keep shooting afterwards. The walls are impossibly high, and the waters off the coast only go off for a while before being blocked off by the Sea Gates.

           Life is dangerous in Nynrah; Vorox and other Bio-Weapons are constantly hunting, sometimes for sustenance, sometimes just for the ritualistic sake of it. Visorak spiders constantly hunt, paralyzing prey with their Rhotuka before injecting them with their venom, wrapping them within cocoons, and seeing what emerges, if anything; Those led by Sidorak simply kill the Vorox that do come out. Meanwhile, the Nynrah Ghosts have drones flying about, monitoring the entire situation as they pluck unfortunate wanderers and experiment on them, conduct ‘field studies’ where inventions will be unleashed on the populace, and so on and so forth. While the Zakaz District may be a war-torn hell, Nynrah is a mutated, desolate hellscape and far beyond any saving. Some residents, depressed by their living conditions, will resort to drugs and even pump themselves full of unknown chemicals as a thrill-seeking Russian Roulette.

[lynnbecksart]

If I ever draw a human version of Kabrua, I'll give him, like, a tattered suit, entirely because Biosector01 refers to him as "a secret agent".

[sepublic]

Xian Characters, Features, and Landmarks (Pt. 3)

Nidhiki Iruini- Somewhere in the ruins of Nynrah, a four-legged mutant, part-machine and cloaked, hides out. Over his hideous face is the shell of a Vahki head, which he has hooked his brain up to in order to interface with its abilities. With a pair of pincers on either arm, this reclusive, secretive, and distrustful individual operates on Xia’s airwaves. Although not in Artidax, he uses his connection with his Vahki head to infiltrate and listen to Vahki communications, as well as other broadcasts and messages sent across Xia. He is interested in the subject of learning, of gathering information from afar.

           Nidhiki possesses an intimate understanding of signals, wavelengths, and radio communication. He can intercept messages, deciphering them on his own, and even cancelling them out entirely as he searches for broadcasts. He has sent false transmissions to others in the past, and personally contacted others on their radios, his raspy voice coming through and talking to them. His true motives are unknown- Nidhiki apparently believes knowledge is power, and wants to amass it. Is there any other purpose for this? He is a distrustful, paranoid being… He has a ‘roommate’, a defective Vahki named Keera who has earned total sapience and independence for herself, but is not entirely there. Keera is mostly there for Nidhiki as company; Apparently, he has a personal enforcer of his as well…

Kabrua- The leader of a clan of Vorox, Kabrua was there during the initial Nynrah Incident. He was among the first infected by VISORAK in the water-supply, mutated into a scorpion-like creature. Some time afterwards, Kabrua was captured by the Nynrah Ghosts, experimented on with mechanical implants placed on his arms and thighs that he has since discarded. Kabrua managed to escape, and now bears a deep and intimate grudge on the Ghosts, and is distrustful of non-Vorox.

           Kabrua wields a hunting spear, and leads his pack of Vorox on frequent hunts across Nynrah. These ritualistic hunts provide sustenance, but mostly they are done for the sake of them; Some creatures who evade Kabrua and his clan well are allowed to live, but many others fall quickly and are slain, their parts worn as hunting trophies. He has a tendency to capture sapient outsiders and force them to run, so he and his clan can have a worthy ‘hunt’. As stated, worthy prey are allowed to live another day, while all others are killed. Kabrua particularly likes hunting down unmutated Xians, and for Vorox who earn his respect, he may offer them a place in his tribe. Kabrua and his clan typically operate and live within the Botana Forest.

Malum- Hailing from the Baran Desert, Malum rose to fame as a powerful, yet temperamental, Glatorian. Word spread of his fierce strength and youthful energy, and Malum was eventually invited to compete in gladiator matches outside of Zakaz, with trainers suggesting he may one day even get to compete within the Coliseum Atero!

           Malum had a few fights in Stelt, garnering fans and cheers; But one day, he lost his temper against an opponent he was supposed to spare. Said opponent was the personal champion of a powerful Xian, and when Malum killed them –despite this not being a life-or-death match- the owner retaliated. Using their influence, the Xian had Malum banished to Nynrah as a death sentence. Despite his struggles, Malum was easily subdued by the Vahki, and left to die within the ruined district.

           But like other exiles before him, Malum persisted. He went out into Nynrah and began fighting Vorox, proving his worth among them, and before long he deposed the leader of one tribe and began leading it himself. While the likes of Kabrua prefer to stay in their territory and hunt, Malum’s rage persisted. Although he learned to control his temper, it nevertheless continued to exist as a deliberate, personal simmer… Malum formed a close kinship with his Vorox comrades, and other ‘rejects’ of society like himself. Eventually, he himself was partially infected by VISORAK, his arms growing massive claws and becoming like those of a crustacean, while he also wielded a Gatling-Cannon on the side with his massive strength.

           However, Malum saw comrades and friends get captured by the Visorak spiders, or slain. He saw what the Nynrah Ghosts did to others, experimenting on them- And becoming incensed, he declared war on the group. Now, he and his clan lead guerilla attacks against the Visorak spiders, attacking them on their hunts, freeing those captured by them, and providing refuge to other Vorox. Malum has a sworn hatred for the Visorak and what they do to others, and is bitter enemies with Sidorak; Someone who despite being an enemy of the Nynrah Ghosts, nevertheless leads other Visorak spiders into infecting and killing as they please.

Malum desires better for the Vorox, and will do anything for them, even if that includes making unconventional alliances. Usually distrustful of outsiders, if they prove themselves not a threat, Malum can become warmer to them. His control over his rage has become more refined, but when fighting the Visorak, he can and will let it loose; And Malum himself has the blood of many Nynrah Ghosts on his hands, having raided their bunkers and settlements in the past while sabotaging experiments purely out of spite.

Kraahu and Kranua- This duo is a pair of advanced, upgraded Vahki models, each one built with a specially-designed chassis and body that breaks the mold that other machines like them have. Upgraded Vahki are a long series, a line of elite Vahki models scaling back since the originals’ invention, with each one different from the rest and having its own separate abilities and appearance. Designed to be unique and powerful beings, Kraahu and Kranua have been permitted –like other Upgraded Vahki- to have their own sapience and personalities, with Kraahu in particular being proud of his personhood and capacity for thought.

           These two Upgraded Vahki serve Turaga Dume, acting as personal agents to enforce his will on special missions that require additional fire-power and strength. Kranua can split their body into millions of microscopic, silicon particles that can move around to trap enemies in miniature sandstorms, or get past physical barriers and attacks. Kraahu is composed of multiple transforming components that can break apart and separate, functioning on their own and administering powerful paralyzing-bolts of varying lethality.

Icarax- Along a rocky cliff in the Voymari District, there lies an unusual castle; A castle with an unusual layout, incredibly unorthodox. Its layout is confusing, complex, and makes little sense, even when one takes into account that it is made for a being who can easily fly and does not need stairs like others do.

           The master of this castle is Icarax, a skeletal being who is covered in dark-red bohrok armor grafted to his very bones. Icarax is a regal warrior, and has access to abilities such as Flight, Gravity, Magnetism, and so forth. His strength and power is immense, and he towers over most. On his back are four bladed wings, and he wields a custom, six-pronged rail gun in combat, as well as a double-bladed sword that can split into two weapons, and a spinning shield on his arm with blades that can unfold.

           Little is known of Icarax, of what exactly he is, where he is from, how he got his powers, etc. What is known is that he lives within his castle, attended to by regular Xian servants. He is totally independent of other powers, and his lavish palace contains many texts of secret knowledge regarding alchemy and other studies. Icarax himself is a proud, arrogant warrior, and always thirsty for proper combat and bloodshed; He has used his hoard of wealth to buy bioweapons, slaves, war machines, and gladiators to fight against, but has often found himself dissatisfied with the poor fight they put up.

While having access to a vast array of intellectual knowledge, Icarax is of a rather simple mindset when fighting; Particularly, that brute force, power, and strength will always win out in the end. He himself has little patience for subtleties such as plots or strategies, not when he can personally fly in and slaughter enemies on his blade. Icarax himself is an anomaly amongst Xians, and feared by the local village nearby. Icarax will sometimes let in guests to terrorize and impress them with his collections, a wide array of unusual artifacts of unknown origin.

Volunteer Militia- This now-defunct group, less a formalized military structure and more a general network of cooperating individuals, once functioned across Xia as a voluntary community service of sorts. Founded by Certavus and other warriors who were instrumental in defeating the Kanohi Dragon’s second rampage, the Volunteer Militia was established as a means of providing quick, ready aid, as well as defense and help, to various regions of Xia at a moment’s notice.

           The general ‘code’ of the Volunteer Militia ordained that members act selflessly, graciously, heroically, and always be quick to respond. In short, it was a means of providing Xia with a reliable network of ‘heroes’ and protectors. Members of the Volunteer Militia could consist of just about anyone, and often included notable skilled warriors and various fantastic individuals. Members would stay within their areas, patrolling as usual and living life; But if an incident were to occur, they would act to help contain it and assist others. Members of the Volunteer Militia had a messaging system, meant to call for help as others rushed in to aid in the settling of matters. The Volunteer Militia functioned as a support network and safety net for many Xian communities, and inspired many to join them.

           Alas, it was not meant to be… At least not for long. Inevitably, some Xian attitudes towards the Volunteer Militia were of the group as idealistic, naïve youths who didn’t know any better. The Militia intended to do good, to make a change in the world and help Xia become a better place, but it came into conflict with other forces. The Vahki did not permit of their ‘vigilante actions’, and while Militia members were willing to be compliant, they soon found themselves and their community authority ousted. Some were seen as political threats by Turaga Dume, and arrested and persecuted in some areas.

           Others made foes of powerful organizations and crime-gangs, including the Dark Hunters; These enemies were quick to retaliate, working to kill off, torture, and even forcefully induct members of the Militia into their ranks. Efforts were made by Dume and powerful Xians who found the Volunteer Militia to be a potential threat, slandering their name and reputation within the media. Inevitably, some members simply became disillusioned, while others went corrupt.

           Membership began to fall, and soon the Volunteer Militia was remembered as nothing more than a relatively short-lived, feeble attempt by the young and naïve to ‘make a change’. The organization essentially collapsed, with the remaining members going their separate ways. Some attempted to continue the fight on their own or with a select few allies, but generally found themselves unsuccessful, or even attacked by old and new enemies. The Volunteer Militia dissipated, and has since been negatively reflected upon by major news outlets.

           However, some still treasure and appreciate the memory of the Militia, with a few statues and tribute dedicated towards individual, cherished heroes. And as the situation on Xia remains dire either way, some argue- Why not keep trying to make a change? The possibility of a resurgence is being considered both amongst veterans, but also among potential new recruits and idealistic Xians. One can only hope…

           Former members of the Volunteer Militia consisted of individuals such as Norik; Lhikan; Naho; Bomonga; Pouks; Nidhiki Iruini; Gaaki; Varian; the Dark Hunters Savage and Spinner; and so forth.

Thornax- A spiky, hard-shelled fruit, it is typically used as weaponry, of all things, by more creative Xians. Bone Hunters in particular love to cook it into a ‘delicacy’ named Thornax Stew, which most consider revolting in its taste, stench, etc., despising its rubbery meat. Those that don’t hate Thornax Stew, however, love it- Including Roodaka, of all people, who has a chef with similar tastes to prepare Thornax delicacies for her. These spiky-plants, if overripe, also have a chance to become explosive due to the chemicals within them. Despite this, Madu coconuts are preferred due to being more reliable in their explosiveness.

Bohrok- A powerful, indestructible metal unique and native to Xia, veins of the silvery substance can be found all across Xia’s underground and within its bedrock. However, due to Voymari’s surface having been long eroded by the high tides and rain, it is more practical to go digging there for bohrok than other locations, although a few companies attempting to avoid monopolies have tried their luck in other districts.

           Bohrok is one of the most durable and impenetrable substances in all of existence, and utilized in armor and high-grade war machines. Particularly lavish and ambitious buildings make use of bohrok as a framework to ensure stability as well. Found in solid-form within Voymari and harvested from the earth, it is washed off and transported to Tametru to be melted down and refined into products, or else into ingots and bullion for later use.

           Typically, only the most massive amount of force can break bohrok, alongside high amounts of heat. The latter option is far more practical and useful when molding the substance into specific forms and molds, especially with the Tametru District’s furnaces. Particularly large quantities of bohrok are melted down within the Great Furnace itself, which boasts Tametru’s hottest flames. The process of molding bohrok is additionally supplemented through the use of ancient, Xian smithing techniques involving other substances, having been properly incorporated into the factory process.

           While bohrok is certainly much more prolific on Xia than on Okoto, and definitely a part of its life, it nevertheless fetches a high price. The molding process is time and power-intensive, and so bohrok is not a material to be lightly bought, used, or discarded. Bohrok works well as an insulator against certain forms of energy and other substances, but it will react unusually when in contact with Life-energy, becoming twisted and melded by it in the process, and can even contain the souls of beings such as the Skull Warriors.

           There also exists development towards an artificial, synthetic version of bohrok, unofficially dubbed ‘fohrok’. Current attempts to recreate the metal have had questionable results, but some con-artists are interested in scamming others with ingots of this ‘fohrok’ by passing it off as the real deal.

Protodermis- An artificial substance that can take many forms, Protodermis is highly flexible in its uses and can be widely found in countless items across Xia. It is as prolific as plastic, and similarly moldable, and is capable of being recycled (although some Xians won’t bother going through the efforts of recycling used protodermis, and will instead wastefully dump it into the trash and/or the environment).

           Normally having a silvery look to it, Protodermis is synthesized from various chemicals and other materials and comes in the form of liquid protodermis, itself similar in appearance and composition to liquid mercury, although not nearly as toxic (ingestion is still dangerous, as is leakage into the water supply however). The materials for liquid protodermis are gathered in the Voymari District, where the material is eventually synthesized and transported through canals and pipes to Tametru.

           In Tametru, liqiuid protodermis is promptly super-heated to molten temperatures, before being refined and crafted into various processes, depending on what is being made. Protodermis can come in a form similar to metal or silicon, or be used to create a more brittle, plastic-like substance. It can be synthesized into imitation crystals or glass, and be combined with other metals to make them even stronger; Protosteel is the ideal hybrid between finely-tempered bohrok and metallic protodermis.

Protodermis is used in many construction projects, forming up walls and support structures within buildings, and it can be used as a lining or coating within pipes or along surfaces to help maintain and keep them lasting. Additionally, liquid protodermis that is purified of its improperties is utilized within the electromagnetic chute system of Xia, as liquid protodermis is conducive to the electromagnetic technology moreso than water. It can be found within weapons, as canisters to hold items, and is a component in Zamor spheres.

Organic protodermis is also utilized in the creation of manmade bioweapons, such as the Visorak Spiders, acting as a stabilizer and a base for the make-up of cells, not unlike carbon. Protodermis is able to incorporate itself into organic fibers and tissue, making it ideal for shaping the process of growth and creation, as well as allowing organic tissue to last longer, be more durable, and better guard against poisons and pathogens. It can also be used as a conductor for volatile substances; It is not an exaggeration when some Xian pioneers refer to Protodermis as the ‘final element’.

Exsidian- A particularly rare metal, Exsidian boasts a fine, lustrous appearance and is highly valued like gold, not only for its lasting ability and immunity to rust, but also for its beautiful appearance and use as a symbol of wealth and status. Exsidian can be used to adorn jewelry and other items, helping them last as the substance is good at withstanding weathering and other dulling processes, nor is it easily tarnished by dirt and grime. It typically has a bronze-gold coloration is sought after by Xian aristocrats for its beauty and practicality.

           In Artidax, Exsidian also forms a finer purpose in the use of particularly-advanced AI systems, although very little is required for each system. Exsidian is known for its endurance and lasting ability and prized as a symbol of eternity, as well as prolonged youth, glory, and life. A thin coating of Exsidian is usually necessary- In large portions and chunks, the metal is not meant for withstanding force or large amounts of heat. As a luxury metal, Xians will commission skilled smiths, crafters, and artisans to forge Exsidian into fine jewelry items for them. While typically found in Voymari, Exsidian is also present in the White Quartz Mountains, within the norther region of Zakaz alongside Artidax. The village of Iconox is able to make some of its own profit and trade with the Exsidian ore it mines, and is highly-valued in certain regions of Zakaz –such as the Baran Desert- for its lasting quality and abilities.

Widgets- The almost-uniform currency of Xia (save for areas of Zakaz and Nynrah), widgets typically come in the form of printed, stamped coins. The detailing of these coins can vary, but most are stylized to resemble gears, as a call-back to Xia’s industrial history, which pioneered the usage of an island-wide currency in the first place. Supposedly, traditional gears and literal widgets were utilized as currency, as their specific grooves and shapes were difficult to make counterfeits of. Likewise, they served a practical purpose in machinery, hence their widespread use as legitimate items for trading and bartering with.

           Now, Widgets have been updated as coins, with nearly-microscopic groovings to check the authenticity of one. Widgets are made, minted, and stamped within extremely high-security vaults and factories in Tametru. Like the agriculture of Stelt, such facilities are filled to the brim with no-expenses-spared security, and attempted breachers are sentenced to brutal torture and public executions. Counterfeiters are similarly under scrutiny by the Vahki, although not nearly as punished as those who try to rob the minting factories.

           Widgets come in a wide variety of precious metals, including silver and gold, and even exsidian. Nobles and aristocrats will hoard massive quantities of widgets, usually within banks, and sometimes even in the Archives. Special, collectors-edition Widgets with unique prints also exist and are often bidded for in auctions at exorbitant prices. The Widget is the ultimate symbol of wealth, power, class, and status on Xia, and just about every Xian has access to some as a means for survival.

Tesara- Residents of the Tesara dwell in its massive flora, carving out homes inside it. Tesara is unusual in that it is some sort of massive, living plant of sorts; A carnivorous plant that would lure its prey in with water, fruit, shade, etc., only to devour them alive. Nobody is entirely sure of its origins, although some claim that it was the result of a prototype, ‘Xian Heart of Jungle’ that never made it to the official product stage.

The original Xians who made their homes in the Tesara formed a symbiotic relationship with it- In exchange for letting them live in its embrace and feed off its fruits, the Xians would readily supply it with a constant stream of fresh food and prey. While the Tesara is pleased by this arrangement, having not devoured the Xians who live on its body, its inhabitants must constantly appease its nature by sacrificing slaves, criminals, etc., to its maw. Execution is a feeding act for the Tesara, and if a slave match is held, it is done over the maw of the Tesara, with the loser being fed to it either dead or alive.

The Museum of Xian History- Less an official museum, and more of an independent project, it was started by scholarly roommates Whenua and Tehutti. The two were interested in the truth of Xian history, unblemished by propaganda, and hoped to amass records, information, and other texts on everything regarding the island’s past and how it came to be. Set up within their small home/shop, this ‘Museum’, located within the ever-expanding back rooms, consists of a modest library, as well as projectors, frames for images and posters, and so forth. If one wanted to learn the history of Xia and become intimate with its past, this would be an ideal place to go. Education in Xia is sadly rather abysmal- Especially with the fall of Nynrah.

           Whenua and Tehutti are always out and about, scouring for new sources of information and other texts that they can buy or trade for. They will happily pay good money for something educational and authentic, and the two are attempting to drum up support for their ‘museum’ by advertising either at work or in front of the store. A few posters have been set up advertising for help, and a few Xians have offered a thing or two; Although some of those Xians have offered counterfeit scams as well. It seems that not too many people are interested in what they have to say, alas…