Locations in the Bionicle Saga
The Bionicle story is set in a science fantasy world and is primarily told through the book series Bionicle Chronicles, Bionicle Adventures, and Bionicle Legends, as well as through comic books published by DC Comics. Four films have also been made.
Spherus Magna
Spherus Magna is a fictional planet and home of the Great Beings (the creators of the Matoran Universe). It housed seven tribes of warriors governed by the 'Elemental Lords' capable of controlling the substances that the different tribes represented (namely Fire, Water, Jungle, Ice, Sand, and Rock).[1] Eventually, a substance later dubbed 'Energized Protodermis' was found in the Ice region and the dispute over extraction rights led to a war with the Element Lords as generals and the warriors as soldiers. Upon victory, the Fire Tribe began to extract the substance; but this split the planet in pieces, and the Great Beings created a massive robot, known as Mata Nui, to study other worlds and later to reform Spherus Magna. Thereafter the planet broke into three new worlds: a desert world (Bara Magna), a jungle moon (Bota Magna), and an ocean moon (Aqua Magna), whereupon the Agori and warriors renamed the planet Bara Manga and established a legal system to prevent another war, based on trial by combat wherein each region was represented by a champion, called the 'Glatorian'.[2] When his longtime rival Makuta Teridax was destroyed, Mata Nui rebuilt Spherus Magna and changed the desert of Bara Magna into a massive, garden-like region, where the Agori, Glatorian, and other members of the Matoran Universe and Spherus Magna could live in peace.
Principal Features
Bara Magna
Arena Magna
The largest arena, located in the city of Atero, is one of the few remnants of the old civilization, where the annual contest to find the best Glatorian was held. It is positioned to the north of Vulcanus, on an island in the great waterfall of Skrall River. In the last contest, the arena is destroyed by a massive Skrall invasion force, killing many Glatorian and Agori. This was the beginning of open hostility between the Rock Tribe and those who lived by the Glatorian system. The Toa later rebuilt a New Atero, in the forest north of the Black Spike Mountains.
Great Desert
The area formerly ruled by the Elemental Lord of Sand: a huge desert in the central region of Spherus Magna. It is home to the Sand tribe. A large group of the Agori and Glatorian were here when the Shattering of Spherus Magna occurred.
Aqua Magna
Endless Ocean
An ocean that covers the majority of the planet. Many undersea creatures live here.
Mata Nui
An island named after the eponymous character,[3] and part of a camouflage system used by him; itself accidentally activated when Mata Nui fell into a coma and crash-landed on Aqua Magna, where it became a tropical paradise. After their departure from Metru Nui, the Toa Metru built colonies on Mata Nui, which they ruled as Turaga. The coming of the Toa of Light saw the end of the Matoran's time on the island; whereafter they rebuilt Metru Nui. The island was destroyed upon the awakening of the Great Spirit[2]
- Ta-Wahi is the volcanic region of fire and the former location of the village Ta-Koro. It is the place where Tahu, Vakama and the Ta-Matoran live in, and is located in the eastern part of Mata Nui.
- Le-Wahi is the forested region of Air and the former location of the village Le-Koro. It is the place where Lewa, Matau and the Le-Matoran live in, and is located in the southern part of Mata Nui.
- Ko-Wahi is the frozen region of Ice and the former location of the village Ko-Koro. It is the place where Kopaka, Nuju and the Ko-Matoran live in, and is located in the western part of Mata Nui.
- Ga-Wahi is the oceanic region of Water and the former location of the village Ga-Koro. It is the place where Gali, Nokama and the Ga-Matoran live in, and is located in the northeastern part of Mata Nui.
- Po-Wahi is the arid region of Stone and the former location of the village Po-Koro. It is the place where Pohatu, Onewa and the Po-Matoran live in, and is located in the northern part of Mata Nui.
- Onu-Wahi is the dark and cavernous region of Earth and the former location of the village Onu-Koro. It is the place where Onua, Whenua and the Onu-Matoran live in, and is located in the northwestern part of Mata Nui.
- Kini-Nui is a special place on Mata Nui. It's also called the "Great Temple", and is located in the centre of Mata Nui.
Voya Nui
A piece of the Southern Continent that broke away during the Great Cataclysm and resting place of the Kanohi Ignika, the Mask of Life. Its inhabitants were sent there from Karzahni's Island, horribly "deformed and mutilated".[4] The Matoran had to survive without a Turaga for a thousand years.[5] The island has now returned to its place in the universe.[6]
- Principal Features
The Green Belt An unexplained band of vegetation that extends round Voya Nui. It concealed the entrance to the 777 Stairs, which led to the Chamber of Life.
Mount Valmai An active volcano in the center of the island, serving as the roof of the Chamber of Life. The Piraka, in their time of ruling over the island, tried to drain the volcano in search of the Ignika. It still exists, though it has now rejoined the Southern Continent.
The Chamber of Life A secret chamber under Mount Valmai, guarded by Umbra, Protodax, and other creations. Until late in the story, it held the Ignika.[7]
Mahri Nui
A sunken Matoran village, and formerly part of Voya Nui.[7][8] During submersion, air pockets were trapped inside the buildings, wherein most of the Matoran survived, without their memories of Voya Nui,[9] and harvested the surrounding 'Air Fields' to replenish their air and tamed creatures called Hydruka[9] It was destroyed by Voya Nui on its descent and its Matoran were reunited with their compatriots.[6]
- Principal Features
The Pit Neighboring the village of Mahri Nui is the ancient prison created by the Order of Mata Nui, for some of the worst criminals in the Matoran Universe. At different times it has held the Barraki, Brutaka, Nocturn, Roodaka, Karzahni, and Toa Tuyet (though this one was later revealed to be an alternate dimension Tuyet; the main dimension's was sent to another dimension until she found her way back[10]). During the Great Cataclysm, a portion of the roof collapsed, mutating the prisoners into amphibian forms. It still functions as a prison, now that its roof and cells have been repaired.
Bota Magna
Great Jungle
A jungle that covers the majority of the planet. Little is known about this location. Sapient Vorox and biomechanical dinosaurs live here, among other things. The Element Lord of Jungle once ruled this area.
The Matoran Universe
The regions inside Mata Nui's body, where members of the Matoran race, Skakdi, Vortixx, and other species exist[7] (for more information on the different species go to List of characters in Bionicle). It was taken over by Makuta Teridax, the villain of the saga. After Teridax was killed, all the inhabitants were evacuated to the restored Spherus Magna.[2][3]
Metru Nui
A city that acts as Mata Nui's brain, from which protodermis is purified and shipped to the two great Continents and other islands. Work here is crucial to the survival of Mata Nui. It was here that Makuta Teridax placed Mata Nui into an extended coma.[3] It was invaded by the Visorak for a time, and recolonized one thousand years later by Matoran.[11][12] It was later heavily damaged, along with the rest of the Matoran universe, by Mata Nui, when he won his final battle against Teridax.
- Principal Features
The Coliseum The highest point of the city and the place where the Turaga rule Metru Nui. It houses the city's power plant and enough seats for the entire population.[7]
The Ta-Metru Great Furnace The place where molten protodermis was filtered and made into masks.[7] It was also the nerve center of the Morbuzakh plant and its attacks on the city,[13] until the plant was destroyed [13] Upon the Matoran's return, repairs began on the region's Great Furnace.[5]
The Great Temple The spiritual centre of the city located in Ga-Metru. At the centre of the temple is the Toa Suva, that holds Kanohi Masks and Toa Stones. It was badly damaged by Vakama under the sway of Roodaka, but has since been repaired by the Matoran.
Karzahni
A realm ruled by the being of the same name where Matoran who were damaged or poor workers were sent. It was revealed in Bionicle Legends #02: Dark Destiny that Karzahni was meant to repair the Matoran, but instead sent the "repaired" Matoran to the island of Voya Nui. When he left to follow the Toa Inika and rule the universe, Makuta Icarax came here in possession of the Staff of Artakha. In response, Gali Nuva destroyed the island, and the Matoran were evacuated by her teammates Onua and Lewa. Later, a ragtag team led by Tahu camped here after defeating the Makuta-Controlled Exo-Toa.
Voya Nui
A piece of the Southern Continent that broke away during the Great Cataclysm and resting place of the Kanohi Ignika, Mask of Life. Its inhabitants were sent there from Karzahni's Island, horribly "deformed and mutilated".[4] The Matoran had to survive without a Turaga for a thousand years.[5] The island has now returned to its place in the universe.[6]
- Principal Features
The Green Belt An unexplained band of vegetation that extends round Voya Nui. The Piraka searched it for the Mask. It concealed the entrance to the 777 Stairs, which led to the Chamber of Life.
Mount Valmai A very active volcano in the center of the island, serving as the roof of the Chamber of Life. The Piraka, in their time of ruling over the island, tried to drain the volcano in search of the Ignika. It still exists, though it has now rejoined the Southern Continent.
The Chamber of Life A secret chamber under Mount Valmai, guarded by Umbra, Protodax, and many other creations. Until recently, it held the Ignika.[7]
Mahri Nui
A sunken Matoran village. It was once part of Voya Nui, but broke off and sank down into the sea.[7][8] By some miracle, air pockets were trapped inside the buildings, meaning most of the Matoran survived, though the trauma of the experience wiped their memories of Voya Nui.[9] They harvested the surrounding Air Fields to replenish their air and tamed creatures called Hydruka, who helped them with their harvesting and defense.[9] It was destroyed by Voya Nui on its descent and its Matoran were reunited with their counterparts and as of Bionicle Legends #08: Downfall, are living together with them on Voya Nui.[6]
- Principal Features
The Pit Neighboring the village of Mahri Nui is the ancient prison created by the Order of Mata Nui, for some of the worst criminals in the Matoran Universe. At different times it has held the Barraki, Brutaka, Nocturn, Roodaka, Karzahni, and Toa Tuyet (though this one was later revealed to be an alternate dimension Tuyet; the main dimension's was sent to another dimension until she found her way back[10]). During the Great Cataclysm, a portion of the roof collapsed, mutating the prisoners into part sea creature and killing the original Hydraxon. It still functions as a prison, now that its roof and cells have been repaired.
The Cord A stone cord anchoring and connecting Voya Nui with Mahri Nui. It was here that the Toa Inika battled a swarm of Zyglak and Makuta Teridax.[7] It was destroyed by the Toa Mahri, forcing Voya Nui to drop back into the gap in the Southern Continent.
Karda Nui
A massive cavern below the Southern Continent, what might be called the heart of the Great Spirit. It is so vast that it has been dubbed "the world that feeds into this world".[4] It was regularly swept over by energy storms powerful enough to destroy virtually anything caught in them.[14] These storms stopped when Mata Nui fell into his sleep, but have now restarted.[15] There was a great swamp on the cavern floor, now destroyed along with anything else. As of the 2009 storyline, Karda Nui is uninhabitable once more due to Mata Nui's awakening.[15]
- Principal Features
The Codrex A large metal sphere set in the floor of Karda Nui, which formerly contained the To a Mata, and later the vehicles they used in the final battle with the Makuta there.[15] It also housed machinery that, with enough energy gathered, could awaken Mata Nui.[15]
The Swamp When Mata Nui was put into his sleep and Voya Nui separated from its continent, water started to leak in through the hole. Plant life grew there, turning the floor into a vast swamp. The plants and some of the wildlife there were changed immensely by the mutagenic properties of the water.[14]
Alternate Universes
The Bionicle storyline has many alternate realities, where small changes led to enormous differences between the alternate universe and the "Prime Universe" where the main story takes place.
The Kingdom
In this universe, Toa Matoro hesitated for an instant too long while chasing Voya Nui on its way back to its original location, and the hole between Karda Nui and Aqua Magna was sealed off permanently, making him unable to use the Kanohi Ignika to bring Mata Nui back to life. The Toa Mahri were forced to return to Metru Nui, and the Turaga began a mass exodus out of the Matoran Universe to the planet above. There, all of the species (minus the Makuta, who were kept out, and the Zyglak, who chose not to go) worked together to create a great city that eventually became known as The Kingdom of the Great Spirit.
Dark Mirror
When Toa Lhikan and Nidhiki were battling the rogue Toa Tuyet, Nidhiki sided with her and killed Lhikan. Tuyet went on to create an empire out of the Matoran Universe, with all the species as her slaves. Eventually, Toa Takanuva from the Prime Universe stumbled across the "Toa Empire" while on his way to Karda Nui. He eventually escaped through use of Tuyet's Kanohi Olmak, which led to her being killed when the portal created by the Olmak closed on her, leaving one half in her universe, and the other left floating in the void between universes.
Okoto
The setting of the 2015 reboot. Its geography is somewhat similar to that of Mata Nui, with six major regions based on each of the six major elements: Fire, Ice, Jungle, Water, Stone, and Earth.
City of the Mask Makers
The City of the Mask Makers is an ancient city built near the center of Okoto that was once home to the Mask Makers Ekimu and Makuta and a thriving civilization. However, after Makuta created and donned the Mask of Ultimate Power and Ekimu defeated him, the city was left desolate and empty, and the rest of the island was also heavily affected. After retrieving their Golden Masks, the Toa traveled here in order to awaken Ekimu, and were forced to deal with the dual threats of the Lord of Skull Spiders and the Skull Creatures under the Skull Grinder.
References
- ↑ bioniclestory.com, Riddle of the Great Beings, official web serial
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bionicle: The Legend Reborn
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bionicle 2: Legends of Metru Nui, LEGO/Miramax 2004 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "legends" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #02: Dark Destiny
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #01: Island of Doom
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #08: Downfall
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Bionicle Encyclopedia, Scholastic, 2007
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #05: Inferno
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #06: City of the Lost
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 bioniclestory.com, Reign of Shadows, official web serial
- ↑ Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows
- ↑ Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Adventures #10: Time Trap
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Adventures #02: Trial by Fire
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #10: Swamp of Secrets
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Greg Farshtey, Bionicle Legends #11: The Final Battle
