Charms

Charms were small carved stones, roughly palm-sized, used by the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. of Mata Nui IslandMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years. as keys to the six WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. temples. Each Charm bore one symbol drawn from the doctrinal vocabulary of the Three VirtuesThe Three VirtuesThe Three Virtues were the foundational principles given by Mata Nui to the Matoran, shaping social order, ritual, and the cosmology of Spherus Magna., the six village Principles, or the six Kohlii Skills. The complete set of approximately twenty Charms permitted access to the six temples in which the CrystalsThe Crystal Serpents of ArtakhaThe four luminous serpents created and abandoned by Artakha, freed onto the island that bore his name, and remembered chiefly for the day they incinerated Kojol's Visorak on the beach. were stored. The Ga-MatoranGa-MatoranThe Water-element Matoran of Ga-Metru and Ga-Koro, exclusively female, who taught the schools of Metru Nui and crewed the boats and bridges of the Mata Nui coast. chronicler HahliHahliA Ga-Matoran scholar who rose to become Chronicler of Mata Nui, then Toa Inika, then Toa Mahri of Water during the final crises of the Matoran Universe. recovered the full set across all six WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. regions in the period between the defeat of the Bohrok-KalBohrok-KalSix elite Bohrok designed to free the imprisoned Bahrag, they nearly defeated the Toa Nuva before the Toa turned their own powers against them. and the surfacing of the Mask of LightAvohkiiThe Avohkii is the Mask of Light, a golden mask that granted its wearer the power of Light and the ability to spread understanding. It was worn by Toa Takanuva..

Form and inscription#

Each Charm was a small stone, plain in appearance, bearing a single carved symbol on its upper face. The stones produced no visible energy emission, no audible tone, and no other indication of their function. Their value was entirely encoded in the symbols.

The symbols were drawn from three categories of MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. cosmology. The first category was the Three VirtuesThe Three VirtuesThe Three Virtues were the foundational principles given by Mata Nui to the Matoran, shaping social order, ritual, and the cosmology of Spherus Magna.: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. These were universal across all six villages. The second category was the six Principles, one per KoroKoroThe Koros were the six elemental villages established by the Toa Metru on Mata Nui after the Great Rescue, each tied to one element and one Turaga., each derived from one or two of the Virtues. The third category was the six Kohlii Skills, one per KoroKoroThe Koros were the six elemental villages established by the Toa Metru on Mata Nui after the Great Rescue, each tied to one element and one Turaga., each understood to be grown from the corresponding Principle. The full body of MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. doctrinal practice on Mata Nui IslandMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years. was thus represented across approximately twenty hand-sized stones.

Doctrinal mapping#

The mapping between Virtue, Principle, and Skill was strict. Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax. drew Purity from Unity, and Purity granted Speed. Po-KoroPo-KoroPo-Koro was the Po-Matoran village in Po-Wahi, led by Turaga Onewa and guarded by Toa Pohatu, reached through a single statue-lined road called the Path of Prophecies. drew Creation from Unity and Destiny, and Creation granted Strategy. Ko-KoroKo-KoroKo-Koro is a location in Ko-Wahi, home to the Ko-Matoran and associated with both Nuju and Kopaka. Its exact size is unknown. drew Peace from Destiny alone, and Peace granted Willpower. Le-KoroLe-KoroLe-Koro is a village situated within Le-Wahi, inhabited by the Le-Matoran and home to Turaga Matau and Toa Lewa. The settlement was once held under the control of Teridax. drew Faith from Unity and Duty, and Faith granted Accuracy. Onu-KoroOnu-KoroOnu-Koro was the earth engineers' city, where underground isolation created one of Mata Nui's most self-sufficient settlements, until the Bohrok came. drew Prosperity from Duty and Destiny, and Prosperity granted Stamina. Ta-KoroTa-KoroTa-Koro was a settlement located in Ta-Wahi, home to the Ta-Matoran, Tahu, and Vakama, and formerly connected to Teridax. The settlement was ultimately destroyed. drew Courage from Duty, and Courage granted Strength.

Each WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. thus had a defined set of Charms appropriate to its doctrinal position. The Ga-WahiGa-WahiGa-Wahi was a region situated to the east on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by Ga-Matoran and various Rahi. The region once fell under the domain of Teridax, though that connection did not endure. Ga-Wahi no longer existed in later records. set was three stones: the Charm of Unity, the Charm of Purity, and the Charm of Speed. The Ta-WahiTa-WahiTa-Wahi was the volcanic region of Mata Nui surrounding the Mangai Volcano, encompassing Ta-Koro, the Lake of Fire, the Charred Forest, and the Ta-Wahi Beach. set was likewise three: Duty, Courage, Strength. The Ko-WahiKo-WahiKo-Wahi is a region situated directly above Ko-Metru, inhabited by Matoran, Turaga, Toa, and Rahi. It was formerly under the control of Teridax. set was three: Destiny, Peace, Willpower. Villages whose Principles drew on two Virtues required four Charms rather than three. The Po-WahiPo-WahiPo-Wahi is a region of the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by Po-Matoran and Rahi. The territory formerly fell under the control of Teridax. set was Unity, Destiny, Creation, Strategy. The Le-WahiLe-WahiLe-Wahi is a region on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Le-Matoran and Rahi. Formerly subject to the power of Teridax, the region is no longer under that influence. set was Unity, Duty, Faith, Accuracy. The Onu-WahiOnu-WahiThe underground kingdom of Mata Nui, home to the Onu-Matoran and Toa Onua. set was Duty, Destiny, Prosperity, Stamina.

The Principles also had canonical opposites, each of which corresponded to the power of one of the six RahkshiRahkshiArmor suits powered by parasitic Kraata, Rahkshi were Teridax's most effective soldiers and among Bionicle's most visually iconic early enemies. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. later deployed against the island. Purity opposed Poison. Creation opposed Disintegration. Peace opposed Anger. Faith opposed Fragmentation. Prosperity opposed Hunger. Courage opposed Fear. The RahkshiRahkshiArmor suits powered by parasitic Kraata, Rahkshi were Teridax's most effective soldiers and among Bionicle's most visually iconic early enemies. attacks of the Mask of LightAvohkiiThe Avohkii is the Mask of Light, a golden mask that granted its wearer the power of Light and the ability to spread understanding. It was worn by Toa Takanuva. crisis were thus targeted, in MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. doctrinal terms, at the specific philosophical strength of each KoroKoroThe Koros were the six elemental villages established by the Toa Metru on Mata Nui after the Great Rescue, each tied to one element and one Turaga..

Hahli's recovery effort#

The Charms had been distributed across the six WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. at an unknown earlier date. By the period following the Bohrok-KalBohrok-KalSix elite Bohrok designed to free the imprisoned Bahrag, they nearly defeated the Toa Nuva before the Toa turned their own powers against them. crisis, they were scattered in huts, paths, and damaged village corners across each region. Recovery required a MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. capable of identifying each Charm and matching it to the correct temple.

HahliHahliA Ga-Matoran scholar who rose to become Chronicler of Mata Nui, then Toa Inika, then Toa Mahri of Water during the final crises of the Matoran Universe. of Ga-KoroGa-KoroGa-Koro is a village on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Ga-Matoran and associated with both Nokama and Gali. The settlement was formerly under the power of Teridax. inherited the ChroniclerChroniclerThe Matoran role of recording history and Toa deeds through word and carving, held by figures like Takua and Hahli. role from TakuaTakuaAn Av-Matoran hidden on Mata Nui as a Ta-Matoran, who gathered the Toa Stones, served as Chronicler, and ultimately accepted the Avohkii to become Takanuva, the Toa of Light. shortly after winning the KolhiiKolhiiKolhii was the inter-village athletic contest of Mata Nui, descended from the earlier Akilini of Metru Nui and played by all six Koro until the island's evacuation. Tournament championship against MackuMackuMacku was a Ga-Matoran of Metru Nui and later Ga-Koro, attendant to Turaga Nokama, Kolhii partner to Hahli at the championship at Ta-Koro, and a member of the Chronicler's Company.'s team. Her assigned responsibility as ChroniclerChroniclerThe Matoran role of recording history and Toa deeds through word and carving, held by figures like Takua and Hahli. included the recovery of the six CrystalsThe Crystal Serpents of ArtakhaThe four luminous serpents created and abandoned by Artakha, freed onto the island that bore his name, and remembered chiefly for the day they incinerated Kojol's Visorak on the beach. before the situation on the island deteriorated. The Charms were the means of recovery.

She visited each WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. in turn. The local TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. provided hints but did not enter the temples themselves. She located three or four Charms in each region, brought them to the corresponding temple, slotted them into the appropriate doors, recovered the CrystalThe Crystal Serpents of ArtakhaThe four luminous serpents created and abandoned by Artakha, freed onto the island that bore his name, and remembered chiefly for the day they incinerated Kojol's Visorak on the beach., and moved on. No combat occurred during the recovery effort.

The six temples#

Each temple had its own internal logic, although the Charm-key principle was constant across all six.

The Temple of PurityTemple of PurityThe Temple of Purity sat at G-6 on Pelagia's sea chart, beneath Naho Bay, with four polluted Matoran-face spouts and a Crystal that only appeared after the water ran clean. sat under Naho BayNaho BayThe body of water that made up most of Ga-Wahi, named for a fallen Toa of Water and home to the floating village of Ga-Koro on its surface. at the location known as the Lost Reef. Three doors corresponded to three riddles: "All Are One or None" was answered by the Charm of Unity, "From Unity Derived" by the Charm of Purity, and "From Clear Waters Granted" by the Charm of Speed. Inside, four MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body.-face statues poured water into a central pond. Three were releasing polluted water. Activation of the correct valves purified the flow, and the Crystal of Purity rose from the cleared pond.

The Temple of CourageTemple of CourageThe Temple of Courage stood near Ta-Koro's bridge in Ta-Wahi, dedicated to the Principle of Courage and gated behind three charms and a Kolhii skill check. near the bridge of Ta-KoroTa-KoroTa-Koro was a settlement located in Ta-Wahi, home to the Ta-Matoran, Tahu, and Vakama, and formerly connected to Teridax. The settlement was ultimately destroyed. followed the same three-door, three-riddle structure. "Conquers Fear" took the Charm of Courage. "Pride of Guards" took the Charm of Duty. "Might of Heart and Limb" took the Charm of Strength. The temple survived the RahkshiRahkshiArmor suits powered by parasitic Kraata, Rahkshi were Teridax's most effective soldiers and among Bionicle's most visually iconic early enemies. attack that destroyed much of Ta-KoroTa-KoroTa-Koro was a settlement located in Ta-Wahi, home to the Ta-Matoran, Tahu, and Vakama, and formerly connected to Teridax. The settlement was ultimately destroyed. but was eventually destroyed by the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. following the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a Protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui. release.

The Temple of CreationTemple of CreationThe Temple of Creation lay buried in the dunes of Po-Wahi, dedicated to the Principle of Creation and gated behind four charms and a Kolhii skill check., also called the Po-KoroPo-KoroPo-Koro was the Po-Matoran village in Po-Wahi, led by Turaga Onewa and guarded by Toa Pohatu, reached through a single statue-lined road called the Path of Prophecies. Ruins, sat in the dunes of Po-WahiPo-WahiPo-Wahi is a region of the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by Po-Matoran and Rahi. The territory formerly fell under the control of Teridax.. It required four Charms because the Principle of Creation drew on two Virtues. "The Map to Victory" took Strategy. "Pride of Sculptors" took Creation. "One For All" took Unity. "Strategy's Designs" took Destiny.

The Temple of FaithTemple of FaithThe Temple of Faith sat above Turaga Matau's tree hut in Le-Koro, locked behind four virtue riddles, and only Hahli ever climbed up to find it. was concealed above TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. MatauMatauA former Le-Metru test driver who became a Toa Metru, Matau wielded air, illusion, and shape-shifting before sacrificing his Toa power to wake the sleeping Matoran.'s tree hut in Le-WahiLe-WahiLe-Wahi is a region on the island of Mata Nui, inhabited by the Le-Matoran and Rahi. Formerly subject to the power of Teridax, the region is no longer under that influence.. The Le-MatoranLe-MatoranGreen-powered Matoran obsessed with thrills and transport. They're basically Bionicle's daredevils. had not visited it within living memory. Access required climbing a vine on the left side of the hut to solve the riddles, then climbing a second vine on the right to reach the chamber. The four Charms were Faith ("In DarknessDarknessThe Dark Hunter assigned to shadow The Shadowed One himself, waiting for any sign of weakness in the leader he was prepared to replace, and one of the few Hunters his master openly counted among the most powerful., Light"), Unity ("Strength of Numbers"), Duty ("Word of Honor"), and Accuracy ("Faith Grants This").

The Temple of PeaceTemple of PeaceThree riddle stones in The Drifts gated the way into the Temple of Peace, and Hahli is the only character who ever got inside before the Bohrok flattened it. sat in The DriftsThe DriftsKo-Wahi's frozen wastes were a deadly expanse where snowstorms made navigation nearly impossible, claiming Matoran who ventured unprepared. near Mount IhuMount IhuA snow-capped peak in Ko-Wahi where Kopaka sought his first mask and Nuju honored his mentor. in Ko-WahiKo-WahiKo-Wahi is a region situated directly above Ko-Metru, inhabited by Matoran, Turaga, Toa, and Rahi. It was formerly under the control of Teridax.. Four stones stood outside the temple. Three carried riddles; the fourth was a small rock doorway that opened once the other three were solved. "The Third Virtue" took Destiny. "Inner Strength" took Willpower. "Fate's Child" took Peace. Three Charms sufficed because Peace derived from one Virtue alone.

The Temple of ProsperityTemple of ProsperityThe Temple of Prosperity sat at the bottom of the flooded Great Mine and opened on Charm recognition alone, no riddle required., at the bottom of the flooded Great MineGreat MineOnu-Koro's most important mining complex, and home to an unexpected gateway to the island's darkest secrets. in Onu-WahiOnu-WahiThe underground kingdom of Mata Nui, home to the Onu-Matoran and Toa Onua., used no riddles. The doors opened by direct symbol recognition once the correct Charms were placed before them. The four required were Prosperity, Duty, Destiny, and Stamina. The configuration was consistent with the Onu-MatoranOnu-MatoranEarth-wielding Matoran of the deep who adapted to darkness and built the Matoran Universe's defensive cavalry. preference for mechanism over ceremony.

Use and significance#

The Charms were the only sacred objects in the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. inventory of Mata Nui IslandMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years. that were both used by a MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. without ToaToa (2001)Biomechanical heroes bonded to elemental powers and masks. Not born, but chosen and transformed. or TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. intervention and directly responsible for the preservation of universe-scale artefacts. The CrystalsThe Crystal Serpents of ArtakhaThe four luminous serpents created and abandoned by Artakha, freed onto the island that bore his name, and remembered chiefly for the day they incinerated Kojol's Visorak on the beach. corresponded elementally to the six ToaToa (2001)Biomechanical heroes bonded to elemental powers and masks. Not born, but chosen and transformed.: Purity for Water, Prosperity for Earth, Peace for Ice, Faith for Air, Creation for Stone, Courage for Fire. Their recovery before the surfacing of the BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. swarms ensured the elemental ritual record of the island was preserved.

The accessibility of the Charm circuit also established that MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. religious practice on the island was distributed rather than gatekept. The TuragaTuragaFormer Toa who fulfilled their destiny and transformed into leaders. Turaga wield Noble Kanohi masks and weakened elemental powers, guiding their communities. did not enter the temples. The ToaToa (2001)Biomechanical heroes bonded to elemental powers and masks. Not born, but chosen and transformed. did not enter the temples. The temples were entered by a MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. chronicler operating alone with the correct symbol vocabulary. Religious knowledge in the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. culture of Mata Nui IslandMata Nui (Location)An island created by accident on the Great Spirit's face, home to the Matoran for a thousand years. was held to be available to any MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. capable of reading it.

Fate#

The Toa NuvaToa Mata and Toa NuvaSix biomechanical heroes created by the Great Beings to awaken Mata Nui and defeat the Brotherhood, transformed once and tested across an entire age. re-released the BahragBahragCahdok and Gahdok were the twin queens of the Bohrok, sealed in a Protodermis cage by the Toa Mata and later released to finish their cleansing of Mata Nui. after the Mask of LightAvohkiiThe Avohkii is the Mask of Light, a golden mask that granted its wearer the power of Light and the ability to spread understanding. It was worn by Toa Takanuva. crisis to clear the island in preparation for the return to Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive.. The BohrokBohrokHive-minded mechanical creatures designed to reshape worlds, the Bohrok represent a threat the Toa Mata never expected. swarms surfaced in numbers and ground every WahiWahiThe Matoran word for region. The six Wahi of Mata Nui were the six elemental territories that made up the island before the Bohrok cleared its surface. temple to nothing. All six are recorded as destroyed locations. The Charms within them are presumed lost in the same event. The CrystalsThe Crystal Serpents of ArtakhaThe four luminous serpents created and abandoned by Artakha, freed onto the island that bore his name, and remembered chiefly for the day they incinerated Kojol's Visorak on the beach. themselves were not recovered for transport to Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive. and are believed to have been lost when the MatoranMatoranThe most abundant species in the Matoran Universe, chosen by Mata Nui to inhabit and maintain his cosmic body. population evacuated the surface.

No Charm has been confirmed in the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control. record since.