Atero

Atero was the free city at the center of Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna., the only major settlement on the planet not tied to a single tribe. Built around the Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts., the largest and oldest arena on the planet, Atero served as neutral ground where members of every tribe could gather without provocation. Each year it hosted the Great TournamentThe Great TournamentThe yearly Glatorian championship held in the Arena Magna at Atero, the central institution of the post-Core War village system, ended forever by the Skrall attack on its opening day., in which the prime GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. of every village fought for resources and honor. The city was destroyed when TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat. led a SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. army against it on the morning of the Great Tournament, during the opening match. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero; BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

The Free City#

Every other major settlement on Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna. belonged to a single tribe, while Atero had been declared neutral ground, free of raids, during the Core War. VulcanusVulcanusThe Fire Tribe's settlement on Bara Magna, caught between resources and threats. was the Fire TribeFire TribeThe master smiths of Bara Magna who forged tools for all tribes before the Shattering scattered them into conflict. village. IconoxIconoxIconox is a village of the Ice Tribe, situated in the White Quartz Mountains. was the Ice TribeIce TribeOne of Bara Magna's six major tribes, the Ice Tribe produced legendary Glatorian like Strakk and survived the Shattering intact. village. TesaraTesaraTesara is a location belonging to the Jungle Tribe, situated to the south of the White Quartz Mountains and to the north of the Dunes of Treason. was the Jungle TribeJungle TribeThe Jungle Tribe of Tesara originated in Bota Magna, weathered the Shattering, and sent Gresh and Vastus into the Bara Magna arena system. twin village. TajunTajunTajun was a village of the Water Tribe, situated on the banks of the Skrall River. was the Water TribeWater TribeA trading-focused desert tribe vulnerable to Bone Hunter raids and arena warfare on Bara Magna. settlement. RoxtusRoxtusThe largest Agori village on Bara Magna and the seat of Tuma's Skrall, Roxtus was the centre of the Empire of the Skrall until Mata Nui defeated Tuma in single combat. eventually became the SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. stronghold. Atero alone bore no tribal affiliation. Members of every tribe could be present within its walls without provocation, and it functioned as the one place on the planet where every tribe could meet as equals. (BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

The trust ended at the city limits. Even close to Atero, the desert was dangerous enough that an AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. working alone outside the walls kept to full helmet and armour, and the region eventually fell prey to Bone HunterBone HunterDesert nomads of Bara Magna who raided for survival until their alliance with the Skrall nearly conquered the continent. raids. The free city gave the tribes the one neutral venue they had. (Riddle of the Great Beings; BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

In the days before the Great Tournament, Atero filled with AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. preparation crews drawn from every village. TardukTardukTarduk is an Agori of the Jungle Tribe, distinguished by his dark green and lime coloration. A treasure hunter by trade, he wields claws and spikes and makes his home on the reformed Spherus Magna. of the Jungle TribeJungle TribeThe Jungle Tribe of Tesara originated in Bota Magna, weathered the Shattering, and sent Gresh and Vastus into the Bara Magna arena system., KyryKyry, Agori of the Fire TribeKyry was an Agori of the Fire Tribe who went with Raanu to sample the Energized Protodermis spring before the Shattering, tried to raise the alarm at the Raid on Vulcanus, and spread word of the Glatorian victory through the desert of Bara Magna. and CrotesiusCrotesiusA Vulcanus pilot who went from dismissing legends to answering one in Riddle of the Great Beings. of the Fire TribeFire TribeThe master smiths of Bara Magna who forged tools for all tribes before the Shattering scattered them into conflict., ScodoniusScodoniusAn Agori pilot who prepared Arena Magna for the tournament and refused a wild hunt for the Red Star. of the Water TribeWater TribeA trading-focused desert tribe vulnerable to Bone Hunter raids and arena warfare on Bara Magna., and KirboldKirboldKirbold is an Agori of the Ice Tribe, distinguished by white and grey coloring, who serves as a maintenance worker on the reformed Spherus Magna. He carries a blade as his primary tool. of the Ice TribeIce TribeOne of Bara Magna's six major tribes, the Ice Tribe produced legendary Glatorian like Strakk and survived the Shattering intact. were among those who arrived in advance to prepare the arena. Four tribes, one crew, one city. (Riddle of the Great Beings)

The Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts.#

At Atero's center stood the Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts., the largest and oldest arena on Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna.. It was one of the oldest structures on Spherus Magna, and after the Shattering it became the venue of the annual Great TournamentThe Great TournamentThe yearly Glatorian championship held in the Arena Magna at Atero, the central institution of the post-Core War village system, ended forever by the Skrall attack on its opening day., where the GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. of each village competed for the title of champion. (BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna; BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero)

Outside the Tournament, the arena was in regular use for individual disputes. The GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. system rested on arena combat as the standard means of settling resource conflicts: two villages with a dispute each sent a GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them., the fight settled the matter, and no raiding party was needed. Most such matches took place in village arenas, but the Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts. remained the top venue. (BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn; BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

The institution had a documented lineage. The famed Ice TribeIce TribeOne of Bara Magna's six major tribes, the Ice Tribe produced legendary Glatorian like Strakk and survived the Shattering intact. GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. CertavusCertavusCertavus was a famed Glatorian of the Ice Tribe, a Great Tournament champion and the author of the Book of Certavus, a collection of his fighting secrets. recorded his fighting techniques in the Book of CertavusCertavusCertavus was a famed Glatorian of the Ice Tribe, a Great Tournament champion and the author of the Book of Certavus, a collection of his fighting secrets., which he left in a training area that later fell out of use. The names and images of every Tournament winner were carved into the Wall of Champions inside the Arena Magna, and TarixTarixThe Water Tribe's toughest fighter, Tarix earned his place through instinct and hard-won experience in the arena. was the reigning champion when the last Tournament began. It was the institutional sport of the entire planet. (BIONICLE: The Secret of Certavus; BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

The Fall of Atero#

The night before the Tournament, the Jungle TribeJungle TribeThe Jungle Tribe of Tesara originated in Bota Magna, weathered the Shattering, and sent Gresh and Vastus into the Bara Magna arena system. GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. GreshGreshA young Glatorian of the Jungle Tribe who served Tesara and later joined the alliance that defended Bara Magna during its final crisis. was preparing in his quarters with TardukTardukTarduk is an Agori of the Jungle Tribe, distinguished by his dark green and lime coloration. A treasure hunter by trade, he wields claws and spikes and makes his home on the reformed Spherus Magna. when the exiled GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. MalumMalumFire Tribe Glatorian banished from Vulcanus for trying to kill Strakk in the arena, who took over a Vorox pack in the wastelands of Bara Magna. arrived with a pack of VoroxVoroxThe warrior caste of the Sand Tribe, reduced to feral pack hunters in the wastes of Bara Magna after the collapse of their civilisation in the Core War. and urged him to flee. GreshGreshA young Glatorian of the Jungle Tribe who served Tesara and later joined the alliance that defended Bara Magna during its final crisis. refused. MalumMalumFire Tribe Glatorian banished from Vulcanus for trying to kill Strakk in the arena, who took over a Vorox pack in the wastelands of Bara Magna. departed. GreshGreshA young Glatorian of the Jungle Tribe who served Tesara and later joined the alliance that defended Bara Magna during its final crisis. later warned the AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. of what Malum had said. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero)

The Tournament opened the next morning with an arena match between TarixTarixThe Water Tribe's toughest fighter, Tarix earned his place through instinct and hard-won experience in the arena. and StrakkStrakkA profit-driven Glatorian mercenary from the Ice Tribe who fought in Bara Magna's arenas before joining Mata Nui's cause.. The fight never finished. Puzzled that the SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. had not turned up, BerixBerixBerix is an Agori of the Water Tribe who lived on Spherus Magna. A scavenger by trade, he is recognized by his blue and dark blue coloration and carries a Water Sword and shield., RaanuRaanuRaanu is an Agori of the Fire Tribe, distinguished by his dark red and yellow-orange coloration, who served as the leader of Vulcanus and the Fire Tribe on Spherus Magna. He wielded a Flame Blade and Fire Shield as his tools of office. Following the reformation of the planet, Raanu continued to reside on the restored Spherus Magna., and MetusMetusMetus was a transformed Agori from Spherus Magna who worked as a Glatorian recruiter. Originally a member of the Ice Tribe, he later joined the Rock Tribe. White and ice blue in coloration, Metus wielded an Ice Axe and an Ice Shield. went outside to look and found an army marching on the city. The Skrall arrived during the opening match and took the Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts. by force, killing many GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. and AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system.. The survivors fled the arena and moved into the caves of the surrounding desert to plan their defense. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero)

The retreat played out from multiple angles. RaanuRaanuRaanu is an Agori of the Fire Tribe, distinguished by his dark red and yellow-orange coloration, who served as the leader of Vulcanus and the Fire Tribe on Spherus Magna. He wielded a Flame Blade and Fire Shield as his tools of office. Following the reformation of the planet, Raanu continued to reside on the restored Spherus Magna. ran back to warn the arena, and TarixTarixThe Water Tribe's toughest fighter, Tarix earned his place through instinct and hard-won experience in the arena. rallied the other GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. to hold off the attack while the AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. escaped. GreshGreshA young Glatorian of the Jungle Tribe who served Tesara and later joined the alliance that defended Bara Magna during its final crisis. blocked a SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. blow aimed at Raanu and demanded to know why they had come; the Skrall answered that they would take what they wanted by force. The GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. GeluGeluGelu is a Glatorian of the Ice Tribe, native to Bota Magna, who formerly served as a secondary Glatorian for the city of Iconox. White and dark blue in color, he wields an Ice Slicer and a Thornax Launcher and resides on the reformed Spherus Magna. retreated to IconoxIconoxIconox is a village of the Ice Tribe, situated in the White Quartz Mountains. with several Agori and retired from arena combat shortly after the attack, taking work as a caravan guard. The fall of Atero ended GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. careers as readily as it ended lives. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero; BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat.'s Revised Schedule#

TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat.'s original plan had been to wait until the end of the Tournament before he attacked. The BaterraBaterraMechanical shapeshifters built by the Great Beings to end the Core War by killing every armed combatant on Spherus Magna, and the failsafe that never shut them down., shapeshifting assassins moving through the Black Spike MountainsBlack Spike MountainsThe mountain range north of the Bara Magna desert that served as the Skrall homeland after the Shattering, became Baterra hunting ground, and was destroyed when the Mata Nui robot fell upon it., forced him to advance the timetable. According to reports from his subordinate BranarBranarThe Skrall warrior who survived a Baterra attack in the Black Spike Mountains, earned his name from Tuma, carried the Baterra warning south, and fought the Skrall's last battle at Roxtus., the BaterraBaterraMechanical shapeshifters built by the Great Beings to end the Core War by killing every armed combatant on Spherus Magna, and the failsafe that never shut them down. were closer than TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat. had imagined. He wanted his troops to control all of Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna. before the BaterraBaterraMechanical shapeshifters built by the Great Beings to end the Core War by killing every armed combatant on Spherus Magna, and the failsafe that never shut them down. emerged from the mountains. (Empire of the Skrall)

The day before the attack, TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat. briefed his AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. informant in his chamber. The informant, later revealed to be MetusMetusMetus was a transformed Agori from Spherus Magna who worked as a Glatorian recruiter. Originally a member of the Ice Tribe, he later joined the Rock Tribe. White and ice blue in coloration, Metus wielded an Ice Axe and an Ice Shield., expressed surprise at the change of schedule, saying he had thought the SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. would wait for the end of the Tournament. TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat. replied that the plans had changed. (Empire of the Skrall)

Aftermath#

The day after the fall, the surviving GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. and AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. regrouped in caves outside the city. TarixTarixThe Water Tribe's toughest fighter, Tarix earned his place through instinct and hard-won experience in the arena., StrakkStrakkA profit-driven Glatorian mercenary from the Ice Tribe who fought in Bara Magna's arenas before joining Mata Nui's cause., GreshGreshA young Glatorian of the Jungle Tribe who served Tesara and later joined the alliance that defended Bara Magna during its final crisis., and a remnant of AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. acknowledged they could not retake Atero alone. Their resolve to find help was the start of the resistance to TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat.. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero)

Atero stood on a strip of land atop the Magna Falls in the Skrall RiverSkrall RiverA critical water source in Bara Magna's desert, controlled by the Skrall through a strategically vital dam., reached by a bridge on the river's eastern side. Over time the river dried up until it carried mostly flowing sand, which let visitors approach the arena from other directions as well. (BIONICLE: Mata Nui's Guide to Bara Magna)

The fall also scattered the GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them.. Some went home to their villages with the AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system., while others banded together to resist the SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule.. Arena matches carried on without the Skrall taking part, and the tribes came to fear them. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero; BIONICLE: Raid on Vulcanus)

New Atero#

The original site was not rebuilt. After the reformation of Spherus MagnaSpherus MagnaA desert world of ancient conflict that became the merger point of the Matoran Universe and Bionicle's true endpoint., TahuTahu, Toa of FireTahu served as Toa Mata, Toa Nuva, and Toa Mistika of Fire, leading his team from the first landing on Mata Nui to the destruction of the Rahkshi army on Bara Magna. and GaliGali, Toa of WaterThe Toa Nuva of Water and conscience of the Toa Mata, whose attunement to her element anchored the team across every campaign from Mata Nui to Karda Nui. traveled north to find a location for a successor city. Their first search came up empty, as nothing they saw looked right to Tahu. TahuTahu (2001)Tahu was the Toa Mata of Fire and leader of the team, from his first landing on Ta-Wahi Beach to the destruction of Teridax's Rahkshi army on Bara Magna with the Golden Armor. remarked that earning the trust of the AgoriAgoriThe villager species of Bara Magna, organised by tribe and settlement, who governed their villages and lived by the Glatorian arena system. and GlatorianGlatorianTribal warriors of Spherus Magna who settled disputes through arena combat, until the Skrall conquest enslaved most of them. was a prerequisite to building a peaceful society, and that finding the right ground would take time. (The Powers That Be)

The eventual New Atero was founded on Bota MagnaBota MagnaA verdant jungle moon separated from Spherus Magna for 100,000 years, then restored by Mata Nui himself at the climax of the Core War.. The name carried over, but the geography did not. (Sahmad's Tale)

Significance#

Atero was the keystone of the Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna. village system. The Arena MagnaArena MagnaThe oldest and largest Glatorian combat arena on Bara Magna, where champions tested their skills and settlements resolved conflicts. was its central institution. The Great TournamentThe Great TournamentThe yearly Glatorian championship held in the Arena Magna at Atero, the central institution of the post-Core War village system, ended forever by the Skrall attack on its opening day. was the recognized means of settling intertribal disputes peacefully. TumaTumaTuma rose from the survivors of the Baterra massacre to rule the Skrall Empire from Roxtus until Mata Nui defeated him in single combat.'s attack broke the post-Shattering settlement that had held the tribes together. Once the keystone fell, the tribes scattered back to their villages, and the SkrallSkrallA black-armored warrior species from Spherus Magna that dominated northern Bara Magna under Tuma's rule. began to threaten them one settlement at a time. Mata NuiMata NuiBuilt by the Great Beings to restore Spherus Magna, Mata Nui sustained an entire civilisation inside his body, was deposed by Teridax, and reclaimed his purpose as a mortal on Bara Magna.'s arrival on Bara MagnaBara MagnaA desert world of tribal warfare and scarce resources, one of three landmasses that formed Spherus Magna. found a planet already at war with itself. (BIONICLE Glatorian 2: The Fall of Atero; BIONICLE: The Legend Reborn)