The Convocation

The Convocation was the full assembly of the Brotherhood of MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. at the Destral FortressDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui., the gathering at which every MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. of the order was required to attend in person, vote, and take their share of the decisions made for the organisation as a whole. Any MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was technically entitled to demand one. By long-standing practice, only the leader of the Brotherhood ever did. The Convocation that broke that practice was the one TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. summoned without MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit.'s permission to present his Plan, claim leadership, and depose the sitting head of the order.

Institutional shape and standing rules#

The Convocation was the only body in the Brotherhood of MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. capable of producing a decision on behalf of the order as a whole. The organisation had a leader, an assigned membership, and a long-running set of duties handed down from the Great SpiritMata 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. at the time of the founding, but the leader exercised authority on the implicit understanding that the assembled membership would back him. The Convocation was the procedure by which that backing was made explicit. When the body was summoned, every member of the order was required to travel to DestralDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui. in person and take a position on whatever question the calling MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. had put.

The standing rules of the assembly were unusual in one specific respect. Any MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was technically entitled to demand a Convocation. The right was universal across the membership rather than reserved to senior figures, and in principle a backbench MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. could summon the entire order to DestralDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui. at will. In practice the right was almost never used. The convention was that only the leader of the Brotherhood ever called the body into session, and the convention had held without exception under MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. from the foundation of the order through the early millennia of the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control.. The exception, when it came, was the Convocation that broke the order.

The decisive Convocation#

The Convocation that fixed the future of the BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was the one TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. demanded after returning from his audience with Tren KromTren KromThe first purely organic creation of the Great Beings, exiled to a stone island after surrendering the core of the Matoran Universe to Mata Nui.. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. had visited the ancient being on his island and returned with the knowledge needed to complete his Plan to depose the Great SpiritMata 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., and he resolved to present the Plan to the full membership at once. The demand for the Convocation was made without MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit.'s permission. The breach of convention was itself the first move of the operation: TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. had used a universal right that nobody but the leader had ever exercised, and the act announced to the assembled MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. that the question of leadership was now on the floor.

The PlanThe PlanThe Brotherhood of Makuta's master conspiracy to depose Mata Nui. Not all believers, not all willing, but all terrified. was presented at the Convocation. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. explained the route by which the Great SpiritMata 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. could be put into a coma, the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. could inherit the body, and the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control. could be ruled by one of their own from the throne of 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. himself. MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., realising that the presentation was a ploy to take command, opened a direct conflict with TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. inside the chamber. After a stalemate, TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. put the leadership of the order to a vote of the Convocation: the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. were asked to whom they would pledge their loyalty.

The vote and the verdict#

The vote was a series of pledges rather than a count of hands. The MakutaMakutaA glossary entry distinguishing the three referents of the word Makuta: the species, the individual Teridax, and the title held by every Brotherhood member. moved physically to the side of the chamber on which their preferred candidate stood, and the majority sided with TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.. The minority that backed MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. found itself outnumbered and, in the recollection of MutranThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. who was present in the chamber that day, moved reluctantly across the floor to the winning side rather than face the consequences of a loyalist position. MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was left alone. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. then claimed leadership of the BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. through the will of the Convocation and declared the Plan in force. His first official act under the new authority was to sentence MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. to death.

AntrozThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., VamprahThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., and SpiriahThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. were among the first to back TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. in the chamber. The Makuta of SteltThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., assigned to that island under MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit., sided with the new leader as well, and many of the other regional MakutaMakutaA glossary entry distinguishing the three referents of the word Makuta: the species, the individual Teridax, and the title held by every Brotherhood member. did the same. The pattern was straightforward: the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. who had been given productive assignments under MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. and who saw a better future for themselves under the Plan switched sides at the vote, and the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. who had been overlooked, marginalised, or otherwise held back stood by the leader who had assigned them. The chamber's geography registered the entire political map of the order in a single movement.

Krika, Spiriah, and the executions#

The sentencing of MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was followed by the assignment of the execution. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. named KrikaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. and SpiriahThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. as the carriers of his will and the pair were ordered to dispose of the former leader. They hauled MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. out of the Destral FortressDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui. to a remote volcanic island, but the execution did not take place: KrikaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. instead transformed MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. and imprisoned him alive on the island, and the pair returned to DestralDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui. with a story that the sentence had been carried out. The deception was not detected for the remainder of TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.'s reign over the BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit..

The executions that did take place over the year that followed were the killings of the MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. who had stood with MiserixThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. in the chamber. GorastThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. and IcaraxThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. were assigned the work and tracked down every loyalist MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. who had not been quick enough to switch sides at the vote. TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. ordered the masks of the dead nailed to the wall of the Convocation Chamber as a warning to others who might consider rebellion. The chamber that had ratified his leadership became the room in which the cost of opposing him was displayed in physical form. The arrangement remained in place through the rest of the BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit.'s history, and the masks on the wall served as the implicit ground rule of every subsequent meeting of the membership.

The chamber on the floor plan#

The Convocation Chamber was one of several rooms of significance inside the Destral FortressDestral FortressDestral Fortress was the central stronghold of the Brotherhood of Makuta on the island of Destral, destroyed once by the Great Cataclysm and again by the Order of Mata Nui.. It sat alongside the laboratory in which MutranThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. and ChiroxThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. worked, the throne room from which the leader of the order governed the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control., the torture chamber in which the interrogations were conducted, and the basement in which TridaxTridaxMost Makuta wanted the Plan to succeed. Tridax wanted what came after, and he was building a private army of stolen Toa of Light in a Destral basement to make sure he got it. later stored his alternate-universe army of Shadow TakanuvaShadow TakanuvaThe Toa of Light's two recorded brushes with Shadow: his fusion with Teridax into the dual-element being Takutanuva at the gate to Metru Nui, and the Shadow Leech drain in Karda Nui that left him carrying both Light and Shadow. in Status Tubes. The chamber's continued existence on the floor plan reflected its institutional status: the BrotherhoodThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. was governed by a body that met in this room, and the body remained in being even when it did not meet.

No subsequent Convocation ever overturned the verdict of the one that had elevated TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.. The membership shrank steadily over the centuries that followed, through losses to the Toa HagahThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. revolt, the Dark Hunter war, the Energy StormsEnergy StormsThe raw-energy maelstroms that filled Karda Nui whenever Mata Nui was awakened, incinerated the Brotherhood of Makuta contingent at the climax of the Final Battle, and supplied the Great Spirit Robot with the energy it needed to function. at the close of the Karda NuiThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. invasion, and the agents of the Order of Mata NuiThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to police his universe and build Rahi, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. who picked off the survivors one by one through the Destiny WarThe Destiny WarThe open conflict between the Order of Mata Nui and the Brotherhood of Makuta that ended fifty thousand years of operational secrecy and broke the Brotherhood's last assault on Metru Nui.. The Convocation Chamber accumulated more masks on its wall as the loyalists' executions were joined by the failed MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate. of the later campaigns. By the time TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. had taken the body of 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., the assembly that had handed him the order had nobody left to assemble. The chamber stood empty, the masks remained on the wall, and the institution that the Convocation had ratified continued to operate as the vehicle of one MakutaMakutaA glossary entry distinguishing the three referents of the word Makuta: the species, the individual Teridax, and the title held by every Brotherhood member.'s Plan until the end of his reign.