<style> .phb#p1:after { display:none; } </style> <img src='https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/008/467/175/large/krischan-jennings-x-o0nptzhlwi1td22qlo1-1280.jpg?1512988445' class='cover-image' /> <div class='cover-diamond'></div> <div class='cover-header'>BIONICLE: The Untold Chronicles</div> <div class='cover-splotch'></div> <div class='cover-footer'>A guide to running your own games in the universe of Lego's beloved franchise</div> \pagebreakNum ##### Work in progress > This document is a work-in-progress for Homebrew content based around the Matoran Universe. I will not be featuring content from Bara Magna time period in this document. However, I will be making supplements for the Agori, the other Matoran variants, and the Spherus Magna time period in the future. ### About this guide The guide came to be shortly after I was speaking to friend over discord. We started talking about childhood favorites and he mentioned BIONICLE. I grew up with BIONICLE and my first set was of the Toa Hordika. So I decided to go on a nostalgia trip and watch all three of the original BIONICLE movies. Then I found myself reading the wiki on my spare time, growing increasingly invested in this franchise once again. Later we were debating a War-Forged themed one shot, I suggested using the Matoran Universe as the setting, and it spawned this. In this document you find races, equipment, setting information, and tips for running your own games in the Matoran Universe. \pagebreakNum <div class='partpage'> # PART I ##### Races </div> <img src='https://live.staticflickr.com/5592/15058133532_51bd6032d8_b.jpg' class='cover-image'> # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ___ ## The Matoran *Matoran workers have always been among the most important inhabitants of the universe. Without them, the will of the Great Spirit Mata Nui could not be carried out.* ### History The Matoran were the first beings to be brought into existence by the Great Beings for the universe they were planning. They based their creation on the Agori, a preexisting species of similar stature. However, at that point, the Great Spirit Mata Nui had not yet been created, and thus the Matoran labored in darkness, unknowingly constructing Mata Nui and the world that would be theirs in the process. The first type of Matoran was the Av-Matoran, starting with eccentric Takua. The Av-Matoran were created as prototypes with more powers and abilities than later types, including the ability to channel their innate Light powers, and a possible destiny to transform into Bohrok. Eventually, different types of Matoran were brought into being, smaller in overall stature and lacking the direct elemental powers of the Av-Matoran. The purpose of the Matoran was to construct and work in the Matoran Universe. The Matoran were the creators of the cities and villages scattered across the Matoran universe, such as Artakha, Metru Nui and the Southern Continent. The Matoran did not inhabit the entire Matoran Universe, as there were other species of beings fulfilling various roles in other regions, but they did inhabit a vast majority of it. One of the Great Beings disguised himself as a Matoran named Velika, in order to observe the inner workings of the Matoran Universe. He was responsible for the Matoran's development of true sapience and culture. \columnbreak Matoran usually tended to live in groups by elements, and in areas with climates that best suited their preferences; for example, water-loving Ga-Matoran chose to live together near the seas of Ga-Wahi, while the heat-resistant Ta-Matoran chose to live together in fiery places like Ta-Wahi. In hostile places like Voya Nui, however, Matoran of different types often had to live in the same area, regardless of whether or not it suited their environmental preferences. Sometimes they also lived alongside other species, like on Stelt. In most cases, Matoran settlements were led by Turaga, but when no Turaga were around, the Matoran either chose an alternative (like the Matoran of Mahri Nui formed the Mahri Nui Council and the elected Leader of the Mahri Nui Council), or remained leaderless. ### Natural and Artificial Physically, Matoran are small in stature, but they are strong and very enduring at heart. They are dependent upon the wearing of their powerless Kanohi, without which they will weaken and be rendered comatose after a prolonged period of time. They do not, however, have the mental discipline needed to use the power of a Great or Noble Mask. Each Matoran has an innate connection to their given element, and can manifest the ability in a small way. \pagebreak Matoran have the ability to eat by coming into physical contact with an energy-bearing object such as a fruit, berry, or fish. In place of an organic heart, Matoran have a power plant containing their life force in their chest. They also have an organic set of lungs and muscles, among other organs. Matoran breathe oxygen and, like organic beings, they need to drink water or *liquid protodermis* in order to survive. They also require sleep, but only require 4 hours of rest. Matoran will not undergo physical aging as long as their mechanical components are maintained once a year with an *energized protodermis* bath. The Matoran vary in size and shape, depending on the region from which they originate. Their size can also be altered through various means; the stature of the Matoran of Mata Nui was diminished due to prolonged exposure inside the Matoran Spheres, while Karzahni's failed attempts to repair the Matoran of Voya Nui resulted in their diminishment. Both populations have since been restored to their original sizes - the Mata Nui Matoran through a rebuilding process, and the Mahri Nui Matoran through exposure to Pit Mutagen. Av-Matoran can also become larger than other Matoran when exposed to the energies of Karda Nui. Matoran types are typically limited to one gender; Matoran of Water, Lightning, and Psionics are the only known female types, while the other types are male. However, exceptions to this rule may exist. Additionally, this rule does not apply to Matoran of Light, who can belong to either gender, and Matoran of Shadow, who can be created from any type of Matoran. For Matoran, gender is not so much a physical characteristic as a psychological one. Matoran are created with societal skills such as language, ensuring they can get to work immediately after they come into being. ### Beliefs The Matoran usually served the Great Spirit Mata Nui and the Great Beings. The Turaga often told them the Legend of Mata Nui, how he was sent from "Paradise", to give the Matoran a purpose. The Matoran had a work-based culture and upheld many virtues, primarily Unity, Duty and Destiny. ### Sportings The Matoran often engaged in sporting activities. For example, a major sport in Metru Nui before the Great Cataclysm was Akilini. When the Matoran of Metru Nui migrated to Mata Nui, they invented a new game, called Kolhii. While on Mata Nui, the Turaga organized a Kolhii Tournament between the six Koros on the island. Of course, these two games weren't the only games the Matoran knew. \columnbreak ### Language The Matoran spoke the language created for them by the Great Beings, its written from consists of circular symbols, and is carved onto stone tablets, as Matoran do not use paper or ink. This language was actually spoken by the whole Matoran Universe. Le-Matoran of Metru Nui, however, have created a slang called chutespeak (or treespeak), which combined two words into one. Chutespeak has also spread to other Matoran. ### Matoran Traits **Ability Score Increase.** Your Constitution score increases by 1 **Age.** Matoran do not undergo aging as long as their mechanical exoskeletons are maintained once a year. If a Matoran does not maintain themselves regularly they begin to age normally, and will die of old age in about 250 years. **Alignment.** Most Matoran are inherently inclined toward being good-natured, but can succumb to greed and desires for personal gain. Examples of this are Ahkmou, who attempted to betray the city of Metru Nui to the Dark Hunters for personal gain, and Vultraz, who killed an entire village to acquire a single lava-gem. **Size.** Matoran are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 100 pounds. Your size is Small. **Kanohi Dependence.** For each day you go without wearing your kanohi, you suffer one level of exhaustion. **Languages.** You can speak, read, and write Matoran **Subraces.** Many different types of Matoran reside on Mata Nui and the greater Matoran Universe. For the sake of space in this document and a headache, only 6 are presented. \pagebreak ## Matoran Types Matoran were classified by whichever Element they were affiliated with. Each type had a job, based on their attributes, to help keep the universe in balance. Although several were identified, there are more in existence. ### Te-Matoran Ta-Matoran were Matoran of Fire, and one of the six prevalent types of Matoran living on Metru Nui. The color of Ta-Matoran armor varied in combinations of red, dark red, orange, yellow, or black. Their eyes were usually either yellow, greenish-yellow, or salmon in coloration. Ta-Matoran of Metru Nui lived in Ta-Metru. Most worked as forgers, crafting useful tools and supplies such as precious Kanoka disks and Kanohi masks from purified protodermis heated into molten form. Mask-maker was one of the more coveted positions among Ta-Matoran, while most started out as toolmakers or factory workers. Most Ta-Matoran here avoided places like Le-Metru (which was altogether too cluttered and unorganized), and Ko-Metru (much too cold and unfriendly). Ta-Metru sent the majority of its products to Po-Metru, which needed massive amounts of disks and masks. The Ta-Matoran on Mata Nui were less isolated. When the Ta-Matoran lived on Mata Nui, they lived in the village of Ta-Koro. There they focused on the virtue of Duty and its principle of courage. By lava farming, they created useful stone tools by directing molten lava into specially-shaped channels, where it cooled and later hardened. Many Ta-Matoran were members of the Ta-Koro Guard, the village's defense force against Rahi attacks sent by Teridax. In their spare time, they often surfed the lava flows of Ta-Wahi and raced each other in Ignalu. The main principles of Ta-Matoran life centered around diligence and responsibility. Other common characteristics included being quick to anger, quick to react, and great leaders when needed. \columnbreak ### Traits **Ability Score Increase.** Your Charisma score increases by 2 **Tinker.** You have proficiency with artisan's tools (tinker's tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny mechanical device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time. When you create a device, choose one of the following options: *Mechanical Toy.* This toy is a mechanical animal, monster, or person, such as a frog, mouse, bird, dragon, or soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy moves 5 feet across the ground on each of your turns in a random direction. it makes noises as appropriate to the creature it represents. *Fire Starter.* The device produces a miniature flame, which you can use to light a candle, torch, or campfire. Using the device requires an action. *Music Box.* When opened, this music box plays a single song at a moderate volume. The box stops playing when it reaches the song's end or when it is c1osed. **Elemental Affinity.** You contain a very minuscule amount of Elemental Fire Energy, providing you with resistance to fire damage.