I Really, really like the Kanohi Suletu on a design level. The organic version really gives the idea that an inorganic version is under there, with a more sharp edge design.
The right is a grumpy Kongu just because. The left is a slightly abstract concept of an inorganic Suletu. Mostly just figuring out the core shape rather than any solid details. I've always thought the mask had a slight knight's helm quality, so that was the goal.
But the organic scale pattern of the official piece is equally satisfying and a little mysterious. Do organic scales occur in the Matoran Universe? Or do the Red Star masks draw from otherworldly origins? Fun stuff to think about.
I'll wrap up with a full effort drawing of Kongu. Because why not? That's where the mask starts from right? At least on the visual side. I have ideas about Krakua anyway...
I love that people seemingly intentionally ignore Word Of Greg stuff because it's less interesting than their personal headcanons. Like sure, Greg said that Krakua wears a Suletu-shaped Suletu, but what if he wore a Hau-shaped Suletu instead, like the original model does? Or hell, what if his mask is a hybrid of the two, with the Hau's overall shape and the Suletu's ridges and cracks?
“This had better be the right one,” Takanuva thought to himself as he tumbled through the portal. “If it isn't, someone’s --”
His musings were cut off by his impact of a landing he should have been used to already. As Takanuva picked himself up, he began to take in his surroundings and was stunned.
“If this is Karda Nui… Mata Nui preserve…” Takanuva was standing at the mouth of a barren passageway, ruins of a civilization standing around him. He took notice of the mass of webs, completely uninhabited, and the immense building in the distance, rivaling the Coliseum in size if not for the numerous sections of the building which appeared to be missing.
“I feel that I should recognize this place, but I know that I've never been here before,” Takanuva thought to himself. “Nevertheless, I should search for someone. They could tell me what happened here.” Takanuva paused. “And where exactly here is,” he added.
Takanuva turned and began to trek down the tunnel which gaped before him. It was incredibly dark, almost unusually dark for a tunnel. And Takanuva had indeed traversed his fair share of tunnels. Looking about with his light power emanating from his left palm, Takanuva observed lightstones on the tunnel walls, all smashed to pieces.
“I wonder what might have warranted such a thing. Or perhaps some sensitive creature deliberately smashed these.”
Suddenly, Takanuva heard a noise behind him. When he turned to investigate, he saw nothing and went back to studying the lightstones. Again, Takanuva heard a sound which this time was coupled with a strong wind which knocked Takanuva to the ground. He landed hard on some object, which he made note to examine later. Firstly, he wanted to deal with whatever the immediate threat was. Takanuva got to his feet to see a yellow and green rahkshi standing opposite him in the tunnel. Takanuva launched a light bolt, but it passed right through. Nonplussed, he sent a few more, with the same result each time. The rahkshi didn't even react or attempt to dodge. Frowning, he charged the rahkshi and thrust his fist straight into its face. The rahkshi shimmered and then faded away, as though it was never there.
“That's not right. That was a vacuum rahkshi, and unless I'm in a world where rahkshi can possess more than one power, it shouldn't have disappeared like that.” Disturbed, Takanuva turned and decided to continue on his trek, making sure to pick up the item he had fallen on. “As long as that wasn't also just an illusion.”
Fortunately, it wasn't. As Takanuva scooped up the object, it felt unsettlingly familiar. He felt the curved shape and found two large holes somewhere just above the middle. He decided that it must be a lost Kanohi, and held a light to it. Takanuva was startled to find that indeed, the mystery item was in fact a kanohi, and was even more shocked to see that it specifically a Suletu, mask of telepathy.
“Oh no. Now I know where I am. This isn't Karda Nui. I was on Metru Nui.” Takanuva frantically spun around, trying to figure out which way he had come from. Once he had chosen a direction, he threw the mask down and ran as hard as he could, towards what he thought was the surface. After a while, he spotted ahead a light, and hoped for the best. The sight he was met with was far from.
Takanuva found himself in a large cavern underground. All about him were matoran working, but bound in shackles and chains. Even more horrifying were the grins which split their faves. Yet still, none of what Takanuva saw around the cavern could compare with the dreadful sight which dominated the center of the room. Seated upon a great throne, composed of materials which Takanuva didn't even want to guess at, was seated a fearsome figure. His armor shone of ebony and gold, adorned with the reflection of flames which licked off of the chains he grasped in his hands. His kanohi was what stunned Takanuva the most. It was elaborately wrought and a magnificent sight, but was a stark contrast to the being’s own armor, so much so that it was most likely not his own. At least not originally.
Bracing himself for the worst, Takanuva approached him.
My custom Kanohi Suletu is now available for purchase on Shapeways!
This is the Mask of Telepathy in its original, inorganic form. This is my idea of what the mask looked like before becoming the mutated version Kongu Inika used. Perfect for any Toa of Air or Sonics. It should fit well on Bionicle Mata and Metru heads, but so far I've only tested with Strong & Flexible Polished.
(Also, the lime & teal pieces on Kongu are photoshopped. If you’re interested in custom-painted pieces, perhaps check out Vaal’s Forge and Foundry)
Hey, the Suletu in that picture looks different than the one I last saw, which looked like it had a section cut from it and it had either some sort of fleshworks or pipes or whatever on the left side. Do you know of this at all?
That sounds like a very bizarre Kanohi, i’ve never seen a Suletu or any Kanohi with such… things incorporated into it. Where did you see it?
If two beings wearing Suletus were to use them on each other at the exact same time, what would happen?
Hm, I can say in all honesty I have no idea. If I were to guess though… i’d say nothing. They’d probably simply establish a strong mental link. But again, I really don’t know.
I had this ordered recently for a certain Honorable Makuta . It was especially odd because he came and ordered it in person! In person! No one ever gets to meet an Honorable Makuta. Anyway in honor of that I decided to do a quick post about the Great Kanohi Suletu.
Allows the wearer to read the thoughts of other beings and also allows the wearer to project their thoughts into another's mind as well as project thoughts from one other being to another. Only usable by Toa, Honorable Makuta, and other lesser-known mask wearing species.
Made using Remove Poison, Weaken, and Teleport disks.
Mostly I sell these things to "Mystics" in the city for use in their little shows designed to get widgets off of vain Matoran.
