Avsa

The KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. Avsa was the Mask of Hunger. It granted its wearer the ability to drain light, physical energy, or positive emotions from a target across a distance, and the wearer absorbed the energy it took. The mask was most closely associated with MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp., who wore the Great Avsa during the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. campaign. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

Mask Power#

The Avsa could drain one of three things from a target: light, physical energy, or positive emotions. The mask operated across a distance, so its wearer had no need to close in. As Gavla warned Kopaka, Vamprah did not need to come near a foe to destroy them. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

The drain was not passive. Like the kraata power of hunger, the Avsa fed the energy it stole to its user, so the mask worked at once as an attack on the target and as a boost for the wearer. (BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

The most extreme result of a light drain was a being left with no inner light. A MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. drained in this way did not recover unaided. Writer Greg Farshtey later said the Avsa sets a mental barrier once the drain is complete, which is what keeps the light from returning. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

The known counter was the sonic scream of a klakkThe KlakkThe bat-like sonic Rahi engineered by Makuta Mutran whose scream shattered the inner barrier holding back the Light in a Shadow Matoran, used by Takanuva to cure Karda Nui's corrupted Av-Matoran.. Its scream could break the barrier that kept light from returning, and it was the method later used to restore the Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. of Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui., including those drained by VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp.. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

Use Against KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, the loner of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors created on Artakha to protect the Great Spirit Mata Nui.#

Another recorded combat use of the Avsa took place during the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. campaign. PohatuPohatuPohatu was the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva of Stone, guardian of Po-Wahi, whose speed and steady humour anchored the team through every era of the Matoran Universe. had charged the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. after an ambush at the last Av-Matoran village and been thrown to the ground by ChiroxChiroxA Makuta of the Brotherhood who questioned Teridax's plans before being sent to Karda Nui., who summoned a hand of shadow. KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, the loner of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors created on Artakha to protect the Great Spirit Mata Nui. and LewaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui. arrived on the scene, and during the resulting battle VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. used the Avsa to drain KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, the loner of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors created on Artakha to protect the Great Spirit Mata Nui.'s energy. (BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

The sequence showed the Avsa's role within the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate.'s tactics. VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp., AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy., and ChiroxChiroxA Makuta of the Brotherhood who questioned Teridax's plans before being sent to Karda Nui. fought as a team, with VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp.'s mask striking from range while the others closed in. Earlier, when ChiroxChiroxA Makuta of the Brotherhood who questioned Teridax's plans before being sent to Karda Nui. doubted the mission, VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. had answered that the drained MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. could become Toa of Shadow for the Brotherhood. (BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

LewaLewaToa of Air, member of the Toa Mata and Toa Nuva, whose career was marked by repeated possession, body theft, and aerial campaigns from Le-Wahi to Karda Nui. acted to disengage. He refused to tell the three MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. where the other Toa had gone, summoned a mighty gust to blow them away, and escaped with Tanma to find the rest of the team. (BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

Conversion of RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms.#

The earliest recorded application of the Avsa, in story order, took place against the Av-MatoranAv-MatoranThe Light-element Matoran, prototypes of their species, who colonised Karda Nui from the Southern Continent and built the Stalactite Villages above the Swamp of Secrets. RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms.. Sent out to repair the lightvine around the last free village, Radiak was caught by VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp., who drained the light out of him and turned him into a Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers.. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms. became one of the Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. serving the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. and rode with AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy.. His later return to the Av-Matoran village, claiming to be hurt, was a ruse that set up a Makuta ambush rather than a sign of recovery. (BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

The conversion was eventually reversed. RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms. attacked a klakkThe KlakkThe bat-like sonic Rahi engineered by Makuta Mutran whose scream shattered the inner barrier holding back the Light in a Shadow Matoran, used by Takanuva to cure Karda Nui's corrupted Av-Matoran. and its scream returned his light, after which TakanuvaTakanuvaHidden among the Ta-Matoran as Takua, the disguised Av-Matoran who became Takanuva was the sole Toa of Light produced in the Matoran Universe's full history. used the creature to recover the other Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. created during the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. campaign. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. as Wearer#

The Avsa appears in Great and Noble forms. The only known wearer of the Great Avsa was MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp.. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

The other Avsa associated with the story belonged to the Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. GavlaGavlaAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui transformed into a Shadow Matoran, Gavla led Vamprah's corrupted villagers and resisted restoration., the first Av-Matoran to lose her light. Writer Greg Farshtey later identified her mask as a powerless Avsa in its Noble shape. After VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp., AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy., and ChiroxChiroxA Makuta of the Brotherhood who questioned Teridax's plans before being sent to Karda Nui. were blinded by the light of the Ignika as 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. was revived, the three air MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. relied on Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. riders to guide them, and GavlaGavlaAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui transformed into a Shadow Matoran, Gavla led Vamprah's corrupted villagers and resisted restoration. rode with Vamprah. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear)

End of the Mask's Use#

VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. died in Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. when the Energy StormsEnergy Storm: The Raw-Energy Maelstroms of Karda NuiThe Energy Storms were vast maelstroms of raw energy that tore through Karda Nui whenever the Great Spirit Mata Nui woke, devastating the region while feeding power into his body. returned at the end of the campaign, along with the other MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. still there. With his death, the active use of the Great Avsa ended, and no later wearer appears in the story. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

The Avsa's recorded combat use comes down to VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp.'s drain of RadiakRadiakAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who was corrupted into a Shadow Matoran by a Shadow Leech, restored by a Klakk, and evacuated to Metru Nui before the Energy Storms. and his strike on KopakaKopakaKopaka was the Toa Nuva of Ice, the loner of the Toa Mata, and one of the six warriors created on Artakha to protect the Great Spirit Mata Nui., both during the Karda NuiKarda NuiThe vast cavern at the core of the Matoran universe, home of the Av-Matoran's Sky Villages and the Codrex, and the site of the battle to awaken Mata Nui. campaign. The klakkThe KlakkThe bat-like sonic Rahi engineered by Makuta Mutran whose scream shattered the inner barrier holding back the Light in a Shadow Matoran, used by Takanuva to cure Karda Nui's corrupted Av-Matoran.'s role in restoring the Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers. provided the only known way back from a complete drain of light. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Ignition 12: Realm of Fear; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)