Exo-Toa are powerful machines used in warfare, bodyguarding, infiltration, spying, assassination, and so forth. Unlike a typical Xian machine or AI, their power source is unconventional in that they can only be powered by Kraata, having been built specifically to harness the Life energy of one and enhance it.
After betraying his father Makuta and taking all of the Kraata with him, the Rahkshi Kratakal made various business deals with multiple Xians arms manufacturers, as well as the Nynrah Ghosts. Having retained knowledge on Life energy from Makuta’s memories, as well as having learned from his own personal observations, Kratakal collaborated with various scientists to unlock the full powers of the soul through Kraata, enlightening them with his understanding of the beings.
In a dual-collaboration with Vortixx Industries, Kratakal helped its top engineers and researchers create machinery that could harness the power of Kraata, being powered by their unique energy signatures and wavelengths. Such machines were far more powerful and energy-efficient than a typical war machine; Due to the ever-lasting nature of a Kraata, machines powered by them did not need to be refueled whatsoever. They could remain indefinitely active, something that on its own would be a huge advantage over the products of rival corporations; However, Vortixx Industries was not just content on letting these machines be powered by the Kraata. After buying permission to analyze and study Kratakal’s own form, Vortixx engineers eventually devised prototypes that could enhancethe power of a Kraata, properly channeling it.
This new form of technology, able to interface with a Kraata’s life energy, almost like a reverse-engineered Mask of Power, would be able to change the face of Xian warfare. With advice and suggestion from Kratakal, Vortixx Industries dubbed the technology and machinery that could symbiotically function with a Kraata as ‘Exo-Toa’. The exact nature of the term Exo-Toa and its relation to the legendary Toa heroes of Okoto is currently unknown; That information comes from Kratakal himself, and suggests an alternate understanding of the term Toa that the Okotans are not aware of. Analyzing the name Exo-Toa would suggest that such machines are Exoskeletons for Toa… So then, why are they called ‘Toa’, when the machines clearly function on the energy of Kraata?
A few more improvements on the interface, as well as streamlining, resulted in the first official ‘model’ of Exo-Toa, dubbed the Vortixx model after the company that invented them. The Vortixx-model of Exo-Toa was an instant hit and success in the arms industry, with various groups from Zakaz rushing to buy as many as they could afford in order to overwhelm their opponents. The Exo-Toa would not only be able to enhance the Kraata these organizations brought by making them more powerful, but would also run indefinitely on the very energy of said Kraata. In-turn, the power of Kraata would serve to fuel additional systems, weapons, and components of an Exo-Toa, multiplying the destructive capabilities of a Kraata greatly.
As Exo-Toa models were purchased and used in combat, revolutionizing Xian warfare, knowledge on how to create them inevitably transmitted to others, such as the Nynrah Ghosts. Luckily, Vortixx Industries had foreseen this obvious outcome and filed for a patent on Exo-Toa technology, although the existence of bootlegs and alternate product models was going to happen regardless. Nevertheless, Vortixx Industries managed to secure a proper-hold on Exo-Toa technology, aiming to maintain a total monopoly. Kratakal, with his work done, resumed his usual business as usual of becoming a celebrity, occasionally selling more Kraata to buyers at even higher prices.
Exo-Toa come in a variety of models. Each mech is designed to amplify the power of a Kraata, acting as an exo-skeleton for it; In turn, the Kraata acts as an energy source for the Exo-Toa, fueling any additional systems and features it may be equipped with. Exo-Toa can run indefinitely, at least until they are too damaged to operate, or until their Kraata power sources are no longer present. Exo-Toa lack any minds of their own, being controlled entirely by the Kraata within, and thus have about as much sentience and intelligence as any Kraata; It seems that Exo-Toa technology may have amplified the powers of a Kraata, but it has yet to do any favors for the intelligence of one. Current patches and research are being implemented to amend this issue, coupled with the help of complex computer-systems and interfaces from Artidax.
Built specifically to be powered by and enhance Kraata, Exo-Toa themselves are completely incompatible with any other energy source. They are dependent on Life energy itself; Thus, it is not entirely out of the question to call them Xia’s own version of Life Automatons, able to bridge the gap between the power of Life itself and the material.
Exo-Toa tend to come at massive prices, and maintenance on them is ideally bought from Vortixx Industries; However, aforementioned bootleg-parties are able to send in their own less-costly technicians to buyers, resulting in profit. While others are technically forbidden from replicating Exo-Toa technology, there is nothing in print that forbids them from repairing and occasionally even enhancing it. Vortixx Industries has attempted to remedy this loophole, but even if they were to succeed, the fact of the matter is that not many Xian corporations pay attention to the law anyway. Thus, it is common for Exo-Toa to be bought from Vortixx Industries, and for repair technicians to come from other companies. Additionally, the existence of bootleg models still exists, and many genuine Exo-Toa have been sold on the black market, either by buyers or those who have stolen them.
As stated, Exo-Toa are utilized in warfare and combat, although more specific purposes can apply to certain models. Some models of Exo-Toa are meant to amplify just about any Kraata power, but others are built around specific abilities.
Some models of Exo-Toa include;
Vortixx- The original and most common, built by the pioneer of Exo-Toa technology and named after it. Vortixx models are towering, bipedal mechs equipped with powerful shredding claws on one arm, and a rail-gun on the other that channels the energy of the Kraata within. Like any Exo-Toa, they are built with a wide-variety of sensors and input systems to maximize the perception of their Kraata pilots.
Boxor- These lumbering, squat machines are equipped with massive, powerful arms. Boxor-models are built with cockpits for Xians to operate and control them; Unlike other Exo-Toa models, they are designed to be completely controlled by someone else, with the Kraata functioning merely as a power-source and nothing else. Computer-programs and interfaces enable passengers to control the Boxor, and Boxors themselves can ‘attune’ to the soul of a pilot, and be programmed to respond only to specific souls. Boxor-models are meant for use in construction, mining, and other heavy-labor jobs, but they perfectly function as battle mechs if needed.
Va- Among the smaller model of Exo-Toa, the Va-model is capable of folding up into a sphere for storage, travel, and defensive purposes. Each is equipped with a powerful head that can rapidly ram forward, with a transparent yet durable chassis showing off the Kraata powering it within. Each Va stands bipedal and is equipped with a pair of shields, one on either hand, to fire at targets with and channel Kraata power. Vortixx-Industries has recently invested in a variant of Va-models with Bohrok coating and armor; These Bohrok Va are among the most expensive of Exo-Toa.
Gahl- These Exo-Toa have a raptor-like appearance, equipped with a tail-cannon. They are designed to be ridden by up to two Xian passengers, and their legs can fold away to activate levitating hover-technology. Built with rocket-boosters, they are the fastest Exo-Toa, save for those powered by Speed Kraata; However, with Speed Kraata, these mechanical steeds cannot be outpaced. For rockier terrain, Gahl models rely on their raptor legs to traverse. A variant of Gahl exists that has four legs and is equipped with heavier armor, as well as turbo-cannons and blades on its front.
Kralhi- These four-legged centaurs are equipped with flexible tails that can hurl energy-bubbles to trap in targets; These bubbles can then activate on the Kralhi’s will, transmitting the power of the Kraata remotely and into whatever is trapped within. Additionally, the Kralhi-model sports a pair of bladed-forelimbs that can heat up to increase cutting efficiency. The Kralhi-model is designed mainly for capturing targets and has occasionally been paired up with the Vahki.
Maxilos- These autonomous sentries have built-in gatling cannons on their shoulders. Each Maxilos has a Twin-Bladed Black Fire sword attached to one of its arms, capable of firing regular ammunition. Custom programs installed within the Maxilos enable faster-reflexes for the Kraata piloting it, and improved waist-articulation enables Maxilos-models to quickly turn around and aim at enemy targets.
Baterra- These are the smallest of all of the Exo-Toa models, about the size of a regular Xian. These white-armored assassins are designed with Stealth Kraata in mind; When controlled by them, Baterra can stack their pre-existing camouflage systems to be completely unnoticeable. Baterra are typically used for espionage, as well as covert stealth operations and assassinations. Each is armed with a pair of razor-sharp claws to pierce obstacles with.
Lerahk- These bipedal, silver-plated models have the most complex programming and AI of any Exo-Toa model. Equipped with a dual-ended staff that can fold up, the Lerahk’s staff is capable of transmitting the Kraata’s power through the tongs on either end. Serrated fins contribute to the aerodynamic capabities of a Lerahk’s flight mode. Powerful assistive programs, designed after analyzing the most skilled fighting styles, enable the Lerahk to fight with incredibly precise skills and reflexes, utilizing its staff both for melee as well as ranged purposes. Lerahk have small boosters on their backs, as well as hidden-wheels beneath their feet, to rapidly slide forward when fighting, and they can spin their staffs at rapid speeds. Lerahk-models are among the most expensive and advanced of any Exo-Toa, and are meant for use as body guards.
Kraahkan- The most expensive and powerful of all Exo-Toa, the Kraahkan has capsules meant to store three Kraata, with one on the chest, and two on the thighs. The power and functions of a Kraahkan cannot be understated, requiring multiple Kraata to fuel their advanced systems, and their very name invokes the name of their power-source in order to highlight just what is needed. The Kraahkan-model is bipedal and somewhat humanoid in nature, and wields a powerful staff capable of transmitting its energies. The Kraahkan-model is incredibly powerful, fast, and durable, and can almost function as its own one-man army. Thankfully, they can only use one Kraata power at once, but even so they remain the deadliest of Exo-Toa models. Their assistive programming may not grant them combat skills as advanced as a Lerahk, but they are nevertheless vicious, ruthless opponents meant for all-out destruction. Due to requiring multiple Kraata, the Kraahkan relies entirely on a separate AI program as its true ‘mind’ to control it.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
The following is a pretty old fic of mine (with a few very recent updates), the Bionicle: RaE adaptation of the original Bionicle: Dark Hunters book from G1. I loved the book reading it when I was younger, so naturally, when adapting the Dark Hunters for RaE, I just HAD to try my own take on it.
The Shadowed One is such a fun character to write. He’s so delightfully scummy, petty, and vindictive, and has a cruel sense of humor that you just can’t replicate with another villain like Makuta. While the vast majority of the Tome of Dark Hunters is dedicated to various other characters, with The Shadowed One’s own entry being comparatively brief, it really feels like the guide is also a character analysis into TSO’s own values, beliefs, and perspective on life. By seeing how he thinks and feels about others, you end up learning more about him in the long run.
The fic itself is still being updated by me, so make sure to tune in for the eventual, completed character guide!
In the mountainous regions of the Artidax District lies a sole mountain. While all other peaks on Xia have been mined, stripped, harvested, and built upon, this lone mountain stands out amongst the rest as being entirely bare. With the exception of sparse grasses and trees around its base that get thinner further up the mountain’s length, this mountain is mostly desolate, with an icy, snow-topped peak. Several animals live on this mountain, free from the influence of Xian industry.
This mountain is the largest in all of Xia, and its peak is visible amidst the skylines of the cursed land’s cities. Given Dume’s controlling nature, it is unusual to see the island’s largest mountain entirely untouched, and no doubt the view from its peak could be enjoyable for nobles desiring a mountain resort. So why is this mountain left bare and untouched, graced only by Xia’s few remaining animals?
Some will tell you this mountain is cursed, and it is… But to put it forth as simply and bluntly as possible, to the point without any metaphors;
The Mountain is alive. It is a living creature, and it devours anything that steps upon its surface and garners its attention.
The exact nature of The Mountain is uncertain. Various tales and rumors have sprung up explaining the unusual phenomenon; Some claim it is a rogue Xian Heart of Stone. Others believe it arose after the site of horrific crimes against humanity, watered and fed by the slain blood of the innocent. A few even assert that The Mountain is actually infested by nearly microscopic creatures that pry open the earth to trap prey and devour it.
Whatever the reason for The Mountain, it is certainly alive. Historical records and anecdotes allude to it being around centuries ago, as early as the beginning periods of Xia’s industrial age; Curiously, such records allude to it being much smaller than it currently is today. As of now, its growth seems to have halted, but nobody can say for sure.
Regardless of its past, The Mountain’s current status is absolute and definite. On first appearance, it resembles just about any regular mountain, with some vegetation along its base, which begins to thin out further along its peak. At the very top is snow and ice, accumulated from the soaring peak’s unmatched altitude. All along the sheer cliff-faces and rocky slopes, one can find a couple of animals, from mountain goats to birds, to Cliff Screechers and Necrofinches and so forth.
But scratch the gilded, seemingly-peaceful and natural surface of The Mountain, and one learns the truth. When cut, its grasses leak corrosive, burning acids. As for The Mountain itself… It does not feast too often. But when it does, it will suddenly shudder. A poor, hapless animal or any other victim on its side will be searched for, selected… And then the cliff-face will open. The stone itself will begin to absorb the body of its prey, folding in to ensnare its legs before curling in and crunching up the animal. Despite its cries for help and struggles, the prey will be unable to escape as it is slowly but surely absorbed into the face of The Mountain. The stone will close up permanently, and all that can be heard is the continued, muffled crunches of The Mountain from beneath its rocky surface.
The Mountain’s living, all-devouring nature was discovered early in Xia’s industrial age, and for those reasons it was immediately left behind and forsaken as a spot for settlements. For the most part, it was left untouched, isolated to the frozen north; But eventually, development of that region for the computers of Xia began. The ice began to melt from massive swathes of heat pollution, but when progress made its way to The Mountain, now as large as the rest of its peers, explorers found themselves quickly eaten alive.
Tales spread of The Mountain, but nobody could be bothered to kill it at the time. There was plenty of other space and real estate to use, and so The Mountain was left untouched as factories were set up elsewhere. Other peaks were used to establish broadcasting towers and satellite dishes, and The Mountain continued to be left unscathed.
By the time of Turaga Dume’s rule as a dictator, he began to consider destroying The Mountain, finding the sight of it to be ugly; It was free and uncontrolled menace, rebelling against the very order he sought to maintain in Artidax. By then however, The Mountain was the largest peak in all of Xia, and a challenge much too difficult for him; A brief attempt to kill it by firing a Xian Heart of Fire into its side resulted in The Mountain suddenly trembling in pain. Due to its immense size, the tremors spread throughout Artidax, resulting in powerful quakes that devastated surrounding cities. If one continued trying to kill it, The Mountain’s thrashing death throes would tear apart and level most of Artidax. Humbled and defeated, Dume finally recognized the risk and power of The Mountain, and ceased any and all attempts to eradicate it henceforth.
Besides- Even if he could destroy it, it was unlikely for Dume to be allowed to by many powerful Xians. For among certain circles of the Xian elite, there is a dark tradition, spanning back a few centuries… While most kingdoms that formed from the disappearance of the Barraki eventually industrialized, not all of them did so quickly, and not at the same time. Those near the north, within what was once Pridak’s domain, began to worship and deify The Mountain. They saw it as the embodiment of nature itself, here to test the power of Xians to survive at all odds.
Enemies and death-row prisoners would be sacrificed to The Mountain, feeding the beast and enabling its growth. Not only that, but a tradition arose… Those who wished to ascend to the throne, either by slaying the current ruler or by inheriting it, must ascend its peak and return to prove their worth. If a Xian warrior could conquer The Mountain, then they had the ruthlessness and determination necessary to lead themselves and others to victory.
Although this rite of passage was initially reserved for Xians in the region seeking political power and authority, as a means of proving themselves, it eventually spread throughout all of the societies surrounding The Mountain. Now, it became a rite of passage, a coming-of-age trial for the young of these groups to scale The Mountain. Those who returned were celebrated and hailed as adults; Those who didn’t were simultaneously mourned and disgraced posthumously. The Mountain itself gained religious significance and even deified by some.
As the region developed into the Artidax District and the area industrialized, the tribes, kingdoms, and other groups around The Mountain followed suit. While many were relegated to thankless workers in factories, some were elevated to further status thanks to the accumulated wealth. As they had families that later inherited their wealth, the tradition of scaling The Mountain continued.
Now, this dark tradition has persisted amongst certain members of the Xian elite. These ruthless members were either descendants of the original groups that practiced this rite, or were ‘inspired’ and chose to participate anyway. Amongst some noble families, it became required for an heir to scale The Mountain in order to earn their wealth; Likewise, it was also viable for siblings and relatives to compete for inheritance, by racing to the top of The Mountain and back. The first to come back received the most wealth; And if their opponent didn’t return, then they gained all of it! An overseer on a flying vehicle, and in later years a floating drone, would survey progress to test the legitimacy of an ascension and return, to ensure competitors did in fact go all the way up and down.
For some companies, such as Vortixx Industries, ascending The Mountain became a requirement. If one intended to become CEO of the business, they needed to survive the journey; Competitors, if they returned alive, would be relegated to lower positions amongst the board and so forth. Unless the CEO was proven to be truly negligent and incompetent, they could not be fired; But someone else could challenge them for their position through The Mountain. The current CEO of Vortixx Industries, Roodaka, once ascended the peak with a friend during her youth- But when the friend’s foot was stuck in the cliff of The Mountain, which had just now begun to take notice of them, Roodaka was left with a choice;
Save her pleading friend, and lead Vortixx Industries together as originally planned…
…OR, take all of the power, wealth, and prestige for herself, and leave them behind, in turn not risking gathering The Mountain’s attention as well.
Roodaka made a decision that day; And The Mountain enjoyed a new meal.
Some tradition-bound Xian nobles will grant positions of wealth and prestige amongst the Xian elite to even the lowliest of commoners, but only if they successfully scale The Mountain. To these ‘Old Money’ folk, The Mountain is the true divider between the strong and the weak, and if a poor Xian can ascend it, then they deserve ascension on the societal level as well, or so the traditions claim at least. According to legend, those who reached the peak of The Mountain would grace the very surface of the heavens, closest to them than anyone else, before returning with their divine blessing to Xia below.
Auditions to become a Xian noble are very few and far-between, and the elites who host such competitions can be rather picky and arbitrary about their choices. To be invited to compete is an incredibly rare opportunity, akin to winning the lottery; Especially since many races have ended with all competitors devoured by The Mountain anyway, no winner left to seize their respective portion of the prize.
Due to the way wealth is distributed amongst those who successfully scale The Mountain, it is inevitable that most competitors would seek to sabotage, and even assassinate one another. The Mountain’s massive size means that it isn’t aware of everything happening along its body- It has to selectively search a location with its senses before settling on prey, and devouring it. Those who are stealthy and make little noise and don’t disturb The Mountain’s rocky surface can ideally get past without being noticed, so obviously Xians will sabotage one another by yelling, making noise, digging into the mountain-side, planting explosives, and so forth. Some will resort to outright killing one another in combat, or pushing them off the side of a cliff to be killed by the fall- The Mountain can sense blood and its attention is immediately drawn if so much as a drop lands on its surface.
Some Xians will team up with one another, agreeing to help each other in order to guarantee survival and some degree of wealth, but of course the greedy will try betraying others at the last second, usually as they near the end of a descent. Some attempted betrayals have backfired, either from the greedy Xians being killed themselves by their betrayed comrades, or by The Mountain after its attention was gained through violence and bloodshed.
Those who have earned the ire of a powerful noble will sometimes find themselves wrapped up and offered to The Mountain as tribute; But amongst such unfortunate Xians, some will be given the chance to survive on The Mountain for a certain period of time, and if still alive, will be granted either a lesser sentence or total amnesty. Unsurprisingly, Kratakal the celebrity has hosted a few brutal competitons on The Mountain for entertainment. Kratakal himself is immune to The Mountain, able to easily escape its grasp, and is unpalatable for it anyway, lacking any nutritional value and being too difficult to chew thanks to his invulnerable bohrok armor. Kratakal is amongst the small group of wealthy Xians who utilize The Mountain as a means of ascending select Xians to the nobility.
Smaller predators still exist among The Mountain, furthering the danger; Animals continue to live on The Mountain, not only because it is possible to avoid its attention, but also because it is one of the few areas in Xia untouched by its industrial expansion. The Mountain itself is not gluttonous and will selectively desire a few meals every now and then to feed itself, but will otherwise leave its animal populations intact to breed and provide further steady streams of sustenance.
Once The Mountain has a hold on someone, they are more-or-less screwed. It IS possible to break free of its grasp, but once its attention has been drawn, it will continue to pursue its prey by opening up massive chasms in its face until the meal inevitably falls in and is crunched apart. Victims that can fly have a decent chance of survival, but usually they’re much less weighty and nutritious than other meals, so they tend to be ignored by The Mountain anyway. Still, it’ll scavenge a dead corpse if given the chance. The Mountain hydrates itself with the blood of prey, but also with the snow and ice on its peak that melts into water.
Although it was much more voracious in its younger years, happily devouring passing animals unaware of its true nature, as well as sacrifices and tributes, it has since settled down a bit more. Its massive form has become stable and hopefully reached the extent of its growth; Now, it requires surprisingly little to sustain itself, usually remaining in a deep slumber before periodically awakening to feed. The Mountain occasionally has feeding periods, where it remains awake for a certain amount of time, devouring plenty; It is during these recorded feeding periods that many ascensions up The Mountain are usually planned, to truly test Xian challengers.
Because of The Mountain’s danger, real estate along its base is incredibly cheap, but few are willing to buy land there. While its reach is technically limited and there is a certain boundary where the earth is not a part of The Mountain, nobody wants to risk it.
In the gloomy, cursed land of Xia, there is little to provide relief from the crushing work and poverty of life. What DOES exist, however, comes in the form of entertainment; Be it theater productions, television programs, radio dramas, music, and the like. While many singers, actors, and stars have risen to fame in the recent years, all are eclipsed by the ‘founder’ of Xia’s entertainment industry, the island’s one-and-only, true celebrity; The unusual, charismatic Kratakal!
Another one of the Rahkshi, Makuta’s sons, Kratakal is notable for his blatant defection and betrayal of his own creator early into his own existence. Whereas his other siblings maintained allegiance to their father either from loyalty, necessity, or some mixture of the two, Kratakal himself realized he could not be content merely being a servant for Makuta. Thus, he made the decision to leave the Brotherhood, taking with him all of his fellow Kraata and the artifact required to create more of his kind by converting Masks of Power. Kratakal, simply wanting to be rid of Makuta’s influence, went to the one island where his father’s name had never even been heard of; The cursed land of Xia.
Arriving on Xia, Kratakal made use of his reality-warping Kraata to make a profit. He offered knowledge on Life energy, as well as some of his own brethren, in exchange for massive stocks, property, riches, and economic influence. While he no doubt believed in the value of education as the son of the Mask Hoarder, Kratakal nevertheless had his eyes on one primary goal; Fame, glory, and success!
Utilizing his amassed economic power and wealth, Kratakal immediately began to travel across Xia, showing off his beautiful singing voice as he put together plays, theater productions, and other forms of entertainment. While many members of his crew consisted of Kraata, Kratakal also hired performers directly from the streets, and gave opportunity to those who auditioned. Kratakal’s group gained fame as a travelling circus of sorts, stopping by every neighborhood and town to perform. Juggling, singing, acrobatics, skilled performances, and theater- Kratakal offered just about everything when it came to entertaining the masses.
Many found themselves inevitably dazzled by the elaborate shows staged by Kratakal, who made sure to rehearse constantly with his troupe and entourage to ensure the most quality of performances. He utilized clever lighting techniques and his own flair for the dramatic to dazzle audiences, and performed for free; Later, he charged money for tickets that could bring one closer to the stage, but even those were relatively cheap and easily affordable for most Xians.
Xia was entranced; They had never seen anyone like this unusual Kratakal! Not only because of his armored, inhuman appearance and strange abilities, but also because of the unconditional entertainment he provided! Those down-on-the-luck, depressed from the crushing monotony of work, would hear of Kratakal’s passing troupe and immediately flock to watch with wide-eyed wonder at his brilliant shows. Independent artists and those of good skill would hear of Kratakal’s auditions and come to them, performing for the troupe master and hoping to earn a spot in his group; Even though Kratakal made practically no revenue from his productions, he nevertheless paid employees handsomely with the amassed wages he got from selling Kraata to valuable knowledge to Xian scientists.
What emerged as a result of Kratakal’s support and funding for others like him was a greater appreciation for the arts. Those whose skills were seen only as quaint were lifted directly from poverty, and it was not uncommon for Kratakal to personally look for talent, hear stories of a gifted singer or a skilled dancer, and then personally seek out that individual to test their worth and potentially even hire them for his troupe- Those who chose not to join were nevertheless given good money for their performance. Of course, not everyonewho auditioned impressed Kratakal and gained his respect, and would be turned away without a penny; But otherwise, his impact on Xia was only positive (barring the Kraata he sold to arms manufacturers).
As more members joined, Kratakal became Xia’s first ‘celebrity’ of sorts, and businesses and local officials, seeing an opportunity for profit, would begin to employ Kratakal. People approached the celebrity, offering him deals, paying him to perform at certain locations, do a few advertisements for products, sing certain songs, and all the like. At parties where Xian nobles gathered, Kratakal was a riot; But even so, the poor and downtrodden maintained their viewership of him regardless. Kratakal wanted to spread his name, face, and fun to everyone, not just a select-few individuals.
Inevitably, other Xians would be inspired by Kratakal and start their own productions. Kratakal himself began to dabble in theater, initially hiring writers to pen performances for him and his troupe, but also doing some of his own plays as well; These were all of course a hit, and many were amazed at Kratakal’s brilliant, vicarious acting talent. One business bought permission to film Kratakal’s performances live, on-camera, and then distribute recordings of them for huge profits. This eventually evolved into live broadcasts of Kratakal’s troupe, which in turn led to the creation of television programs.
Kratakal was an overnight hit. As the years passed and turned into decades, Kratakal and some of his more famous employees became enshrined household names. Kratakal would dedicated lavish tributes and funerals to talented individuals within his troupe that had died, and would continue to honor them well after their deaths with the occasional anniversary celebration. Through the business deals he made, Kratakal got even richer, and used his money to establish theaters and studios in Zakaz with which he could film and perform movies and shows. He funded the creation of a few schools in the arts, hoping to cultivate talent and other celebrities to elevate to fame alongside himself.
Everybody loved Kratakal, and for many, he was considered a neutral entity, allowed to pass through districts and areas as he pleased. Of course, not everyone was pleased; Officials that attempted to keep him in line with their local law enforcement failed when Kratakal’s own powerful abilities, alongside his Kraata, easily thwarted them. In certain dictatorships he was banned from entering, but that didn’t stop him from occasionally breaking in to perform anyway. Kratakal himself was rather vocal, and in both interviews and on his own volition would speak badly of various powerful figures in Xia as he pleased. Occasionally, he’d even do parodies mocking certain officials, much to the shock and amusement of his audiences.
Attempts to silence and even assassinate Kratakal were all abysmal failures. His impenetrable armor rendered the celebrity totally invincible, and he had access to a wide array of Kraata and their powers. Afer one dictator tried too many times to kill Kratakal as retribution for an exaggerated caricature, the Rahkshi himself eventually retaliated; He led a few of his Kraata and stormed the home of the dictator, easily slaughtering all guards and soldiers before filming, live, the brutal execution of his enemy.
As of the present-day, Kratakal’s celebrity status has only grown. He is often invited to lavish parties, and many Xians are both dazzled and infatuated with him. Kratakal has his own line of stores and merchandise, and the occasional plushy of him. Dedicated fans can potentially earn a spot on his trivia shows, where contestants are quizzed ruthlessly on their understanding of Kratakal’s career and its extensive, decades-long history. Independent artists can earn costly auditions from Kratakal, in which they pitch whatever project they have planned in hopes of earning investment and financial support. Kratakal himself is constantly busy, active 24/7 and able to get away with his eternal schedule thanks to his inorganic form, allowing him to function entirely without food, water, or sleep.
It is not uncommon for Kratakal himself to occasionally ambush a hapless bystander as part of an impromptu reality television skit, often subjecting them to games with occasionally lethal consequences for losers. In his desire for bigger, wilder fun, Kratakal himself has hosted his fair share of dangerous Reality TV shows, where contestants are subject to genuine bodily harm if they fail. As far as Kratakal himself is concerned, the show must go on, and Xia’s hungry audience must be sated; Even if that means a handful of deaths every now and then.
After the arrival of the Toa, Protectors, and a few other Okotan heroes on Xia, Kratakal himself would take particular interest in one member of the group; Specifically Lewa, Toa of Jungle. Kratakal ambushed Lewa during his search for the Mask of Life’s fragments, subjecting the Toa to brutal reality shows, games, and contests that could result in his death. He seems somewhat aware of their mission, but also of what has happened back on Okoto, including the recent news of his father’s demise. Whether Kratakal has any plans of his own, or if he intends to just continue functioning and using the Okotans for entertainment, is unknown.
Initially created as a Kraata of Fire, Kratakal’s prototype status meant that his form was unstable and would eventually dissipate. To remedy this, Makuta encased Kratakal’s form within a heavily-armored bohrok exoskeleton, one equipped with wings and a bladed tail. Kratakal’s own energy dissipated and ran out, but his own consciousness and part of Makuta’s soul became embedded into the armor itself, now one with it.
In his ‘default’ state, Kratakal lacks a soul of his own, and is just the armor and consciousness within. In order to function, a Kraata must go into his armor and function as a new energy source and soul for Kratakal, enabling him to speak and move as usual. While this Kraata is within Kratakal, it becomes his eternal power source, and Kratakal is able to access all of its powers and further enhance them, well beyond the capabilities of any Exo-Toa. Kratakal is flanked by any number of Kraata, constantly, and can switch them out at will; Thus, he has access to every possible Kraata power in existence, but can only use one at a time, thankfully.
Adding to his wide inventory of abilities, Kratakal possesses an impervious bohrok shell that renders him invulnerable to almost all physical damage. Repeated assassination attempts have resulted in failure as Kratakal can easily withstand brutal forces and temperatures, something he takes advantage of for the occasional performance of his. Even without a Kraata equipped, his body naturally grants him the power of flight thanks to his wings, and Kratakal wields both a sword and disk-launcher in combat. He is somewhat humanoid and bipedal in nature, with claws on his hands and feet, and a long tail with a blade on the end. Kratakal has a pair of bladed wings, and a hunched-over, heavily-armored torso, as well as mandibles flanking his face.
Kratakal himself can be described as an egotistical, pompous celebrity. During his time underneath Makuta, he desired to have his own face and name be known by everyone, to be adored and enshrined, having inherited not just his father’s soul but also his thirst for glory as well. Combined with his own natural confidence and oozing charisma, Kratakal made the decision to forsake his creator, rebelling by taking all of his brethren and their means of creation with him.
Unlike another rebellious creation of Makuta’s, Morbuzakh, Kratakal himself did not necessarily want conflict with his father; He simply just wanted to be rid of him entirely, to be recognized as his own person independent of his creator. Thus, he travelled to Xia after hearing stories of it from his ‘adopted brother’ Kulta, realizing it was a place completely devoid of Makuta’s name. As far as Kratakal was concerned, his father’s time had come and passed; Now it was time for Kratakal to have the spotlight!
Kratakal himself is bold, believing in self-expression, particularly his own. He desires adulation and fame, but also genuinely wants to provide entertainment and fun to others, having remembered the sensations of being beloved that Makuta once had. Kratakal wants to be a star, and as a result can be somewhat narcissistic, often plastering his name, face, and symbol anywhere he can and making sure everybody knows who he is. He is very particular about a spotless, clean appearance, and will regularly polish his armor for his frequent public appearances. If his armor is slightly dirtied or marred, he will stop everything just to clean it.
As a boss, Kratakal is both a brilliant artist but also incredibly demanding, and can be somewhat obnoxious due to wanting a particular ‘vision’ accomplished, no matter the cost. In recent decades he has become quite a bit more arrogant, selfish, and insufferable when it comes to his dreams, and will happily subject contestants to dangerous conditions for more views, believing this is what his audience wants; After all, Gladiator matches are a hit for a reason, right?
Because of his egotistical nature, Kratakal can sometimes delude himself into thinking this is genuinely what a person wants/needs when he ambushes them on the street and forces them to play a trivia game that will result in death if failed. He demands everything from performers and employees, and has a heavy penchant for theatrics.
Unsurprisingly, all of this means that Kratakal does not take criticism well; Rather, he simply does not take it to begin with, ignoring anything people have to offer that goes counter to his artistic vision. His ideas can at times be unusual and eccentric, as Kratakal is constantly experimenting and looking for new ways to dazzle and entertain; For him, many things can quickly become old-news and must be moved on from.
Kratakal is well-aware of the latest trends and fads and makes sure both to keep up with them, but also pioneer a few of his own as well. Like his father, Kratakal can be somewhat selfish when it comes to fame and will gladly hog the spotlight, but his audience already prefers him anyway thanks to his genuine talent and over-flowing charisma.
Because of his elevated status as Xia’s top, number-one celebrity, Kratakal can also be somewhat dismissive of others. To him, time is of the utmost importance, and he has little patience for those who waste his time. If someone has something to offer, they better get it over with quickly; Unless they are truly talented, a Xian is not likely to garner Kratakal’s genuine interest. This can make him rather off-putting to those who audition to him, and he has a habit of dropping failed auditioners through a trap-door, one that is filled with snakes only on Tuesdays. Even before his rise to total fame, Kratakal was always dismissive of those he saw as ‘untalented’, seeing them as useless, and this elitist attitude has thrived well into his career. Thus, he can come across as distant and aloof to some.
For Kratakal, he desires to entertain Xia as a whole, believing himself to be the light in the darkness it needs; And in some ways he is not entirely wrong, as many Xians thrive on the entertainment and joy he provides, using it as a way to convince themselves to keep living and trying. Many Xians have been genuinely inspired by Kratakal to pursue higher dreams, and while many have failed, a select-few have risen to stardom and have the Rahkshi to thank for it all. Things with his signature on them can garner high prices, and some fans are even rabid for objects merely touchedby Kratakal. Statues and commissions of his visage are not uncommon, and he has his own ‘star’ on the walk of fame at his studios.
Fun fact; Kratakal is actually a member of the Dark Hunters, believe it or not! This is not known to the Xian public, and as a Dark Hunter Kratakal does very little for The Shadowed One; aside from the occasional assassination broadcast live for ‘entertainment’, Kratakal mostly does as he pleases, even if it runs directly contrary to The Shadowed One’s profits. Kratakal pretty much only joined the Dark Hunters for the sheer novelty of having an official codename given to him by The Shadowed One, and has no loyalty to the warlord. The Shadowed One has occasionally tried to have Kratakal executed for his defiance, but has always failed. The two maintain a somewhat tenuous relationship, with Kratakal well-aware that he is immune not just literally but in a societal sense as well, something that greatly frustrates The Shadowed One.
Kratakal has not been fired, not only because nobody is allowed to leave the organization in the first place (unless by death), but also since he has carried out every mission he has been given without fail. Likwise, many of his own Kraata were provided for Spiriah’s experiments, making Kratakal an invaluable resource for the Dark Hunters. The knowledge and gifts that Kratkal brought to Xia were instrumental in the rise and creation of multiple successful, loyal Dark Hunters, and for this The Shadowed One can’t just easily get rid of him. That being said, sometimes his temper will get the best of him, and a live show will be interrupted by a Dark Hunter barging in to assassinate Kratakal…
As far as Kratakal is concerned, the realness of these murder attempts, as well as the tantalizing suddenness of it all, only contributes to the ‘experience’ he hopes to provide to audiences.
In the years following Makuta’s awakening after the Great Cataclysm, he began studying into the very nature of the soul itself. His work as a Mask Maker alongside Ekimu had taught him that souls typically needed physical vessels in order to function; Otherwise, they would dissipate. It was the Masks of Power that acted as the necessary, physical interfaces needed to allow regular Okotans to control the life-force within them.
But Makuta was also well-aware of the Elemental Deities, as well as other Okotan gods; Beings of energy, incorporeal, who did not need to rely on a physical vessel to ground and contain them. Their very beings were fluid and able to master their own essence as a result of it, and it was this incorporeal nature that allowed Deities to fuse with the souls of hosts, creating a Kaita fusion.
Inevitably, Makuta desired to test his limits and see if he could create his own ‘gods’; After all, he was supposed to take his rightful place among them eventually. Thus, while many Masks of Power that he gathered were used to reactivate the Great Forge, or for other practical reasons… Makuta kept aside a few for the purpose of experimentation.
Makuta already knew it was possible to isolate the soul, and had already done so with pieces of his own life-force. One of his Forbidden Masks enabled a user to separate their soul from their own body and move beyond it, even if the connection between the two still existed. Thus, Makuta began to speculate; Was it possible for living beings to transcend their physical forms? To shed aside their material vessels, and ascend as their own souls become powerful enough to exist on their own, without anything solid or definable needed to ground them?
Makuta set to work experimenting on the concept of ‘ascension’, opting for Masks of Power; While they were far rarer than an Okotan, a Mask of Power also had more energy within its ‘soul’ than that of an Okotan’s, and was thus more viable for ascension than a mere mortal. After all, mortals could not warp reality the way a Mask of Power could, and many of them had abilities modeled directly after Okotan Deities, with their Mask-features designed after the very faces of said deities. By wearing a Mask of Power, an Okotan wore the ‘face’ of a deity and accessed a power identical, yet lesser, to theirs; One linked to their soul…
In essence, someone using a Mask of Power was comparable to a Kaita Fusion, just on a far smaller scale. By this logic, Makuta deduced that if he could accomplish this alone, then it was only a matter of time before he began to reach the ascension of an Okotan Deity, or at least something similar and adequate. Thus he conducted his first experiments with the simplest of Masks, Masks of Power that gave control over one of the six primordial elements; The Elemental Deities were the first gods to form, so it made sense that Masks of simpler elements would be the easiest to ascend.
Decades of experimentation yielded multiple failures, and several Masks of Power were destroyed and their energies released wastefully. Attempts to preserve the ‘soul’ of a Mask of Power required a physical vessel to actually contain it, which in turn marred the entire point of ascension to begin with.
But somewhere along the way, Makuta kept to his studies, and with his son Fenrakk providing a ready supply of life-energy with his Skull Spiders, he was finally able to devise something; A powerful artifact, an automaton capable of converting a Mask of Power, shattering its physical vessel, and with additional amounts of the appropriate Life Energy… This artifact could enable a Mask of Power to ascend into something else; A serpentine being of pure energy, of Power…
This entity was dubbed a Power Serpent, and as anticipated, it had retained the exact abilities it had as a Mask of Power, specifically those of Fire, but was now able to utilize them without requiring the grounding power of a user. This Power Serpent had an inferior mind, however; As Makuta had deduced, a being with a soul superior to that of an Okotan would naturally form sentience, but it seems that his experiments merely yielded an entity with the mere beginnings of sapience. Nevertheless, he knew that more life-energy to a soul typically meant a greater mind- Animals had weaker souls than Okotans, after all.
The solution would be more energy; And to remedy thisandcreate a being loyal to him, Makuta provided the necessary energy by bonding a portion of his own soul to the Power Serpent. This granted the Power Serpent a personality, and actual sapience; Developing a will of its own and self-awareness, it was already capable of speech and complex thought thanks to Makuta’s own memories. Triumphant, Makuta dubbed the progenitor of a planned line of Power Serpents, and the next of his own children, ‘Kratakal’.
After Kratakal’s creation, Makuta set to work on streamlining and perfecting the process of creating Power Serpents from Masks of Power. More Power Serpents came into being, each equipped with a certain level of sentience, able to understand commands and obey them, as well as strategize to an extent; But it might not have been proper to outright call them self-aware. Regardless, Makuta only needed one example of sapience to prove his capabilities, as completely obedient beings were more his forte when it came to the Brotherhood.
Initially, Makuta began crafting Power Serpents from just single-element Masks of Power, but inevitably he became more ambitious and began ascending more complex Masks. Masks of Strength and Speed were among the next, eventually followed by those such as Shielding, Stealth, Fusion, and so forth. Makuta debated sacrificing one of his Forbidden Masks to create a Power Serpent, but never got the chance;
Being a reflection of one aspect of his soul, Kratakal himself eventually grew rebellious and desired more for himself. After having been granted an impervious, bohrok body to enhance his own abilities, Kratakal eventually defected from the Brotherhood of Makuta, taking with him the artifact needed to convert Masks of Power into Power Serpents, as well as bringing the rest of his kind with him; Though lacking imagination and typically loyal to Makuta, Kratakal himself had inherited his father’s own charisma and utilized it well.
With control over all Power Serpents and the only effective means of creating them in his grasp, Kratakal travelled over to the island of Xia, bringing his brethren along with him. To spite Makuta and spread his own name, Kratakal renamed the Power Serpents after himself, rechristening them as ‘Kraata’. The Kraata and their fantastical powers and abilities were introduced to the Xians, and through collaboration and a few business deals, Kratakal himself ascended to eternal fame amongst all of Xia. Likewise, he somehow managed to figure out how to create more Kraata, despite not having access to other Masks of Power. Subsequent generations of Kraata were sold to various Xian corporations, and studies on them with information provided by Kratakal resulted in the invention of Exo-Toa technologies.
Makuta himself was deeply insulted and incensed at this appropriation of his creations, and the renaming of them struck him hard. The situation reminded him intimately of how he felt when people began to call his brother Ekimu the superior Mask Maker, making Makuta feel as if his own hard work and legacy was being taken from him…
As of now, at least hundreds of Kraata exist, with all of them present and operating on Xia. Kratakal commands control over the largest portion of these Kraata as the Lord of Kraata (or Lord of Power Serpents, as Makuta still insists on calling them). For the most part, he only uses his Kraata for mundane purposes, such as his films, reality TV shows, and so forth, but they also function as powerful body guards as well, and can be used to take out anyone the Rahkshi is displeased with.
Both for profit and also as deliberate spite towards Makuta, Kratakal has sold several Kraata to various Xian corporations and arms manufacturers, as well as the esteemed Nynrah Ghosts. Per his orders, Kraata sold to new owners become loyal to them, although it is not out of the question for Kratakal to re-induct a sold Kraata back into his army. Kraata are amongst the most expensive of any Xian product, costing at least millions for just one; And the more desired or rarer a certain power of Kraata is, the higher the price it’ll fetch.
While some Xians use their purchased Kraata for personal, individual reasons, the vast majority of those sold are utilized in warfare and combat, or else studied and experimented on my arms manufacturers and the Nynrah Ghosts. It was Kraata that were used to help the rogue Spiriah in his experiments on Life Energy, and in various regions of Zakaz they are regarded almost as terrifying, inexplicable entities by soldiers who encountered them in the battlefield. For others, however, they are a mere source of energy, only capable of basic loyalty like any AI, and often utilized in conjunction with an Exo-Toa model.
Kraata are generally about the length of a human arm, but this can vary. They are beings of pure, glowing energy, constantly emitting bright light, and they take serpentine forms that can weave through the air with ease. Along their length are spines and patterns, and each Kraata’s form ends in a narrow head. The exact appearance of a Kraata depends on the Mask of Power used for it; The detailed shape of their features and bodies bears resemblance to the original appearance of the Mask of Power they ascended from, and as a result a seasoned expert can immediately deduce the power of a Kraata just by its mere appearance alone. Additionally, the colors of a Kraata vary as well, being dependent on the Mask of Power they were born from; Some glow with a violet hue, while others are scarlet mixed with azure. The exact color, or combination of them, is dependent and selective to their original base form.
As mentioned before, the abilities of a Kraata are identical to the Mask of Power they were birthed from; A Kraata of Healing can mend most injuries, a Kraata of Strength can slam forward with incredible force, and a Kraata of Elasticity can stretch its soul impossibly far. Due to their incorporeal, spirit-like nature, Kraata do not require sustenance, nor do they produce waste; They simply exist indefinitely, levitating in place and floating around. Depending on their ability, a Kraata can tramist their Power through bolts of energy; Touching a Kraata can result in one being badly burned by the concentrated life-force they are comprised of.
Kraata are sentient, and like basic AI, can understand orders, formulate basic strategies, investigate when necessary, and so forth. Their sapience is questionable, but they clearly understand what others tell them to do, meaning their intelligence is at least indisputable. By default, Kraata are loyal to their creator; First Makuta, but eventually Kratakal. By Kratakal’s orders, they will acclimate to new owners as commanded and listen to them; And in turn, their new owners can have them obey another person, and so forth.
They have a basic understanding of authority and hierarchies and will listen to them without fail; Kraata lack fear or any emotions, it seems, nor do they seem to possess a will. The sole exception lies in their progenitor Kratakal, who has a portion of Makuta’s soul; And while Kraata typically do not betray their masters, it seems that Kratakal’s kinship with them, as well as his own charisma and possession of their original maker’s spirit –thus granting Kratakal a similar ‘presence’ to Makuta- allowed him to sway the Power Serpents over to his side.
