The Golden Mask of Stone

The Golden Mask of Stone was the elemental KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. forged by EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. for PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control., Master of Stone, and one of the six Golden Masks of PowerThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes. commissioned for the prophesied Toa of OkotoThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm.. Carved from the Stone Crystal delivered by KetarThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light as Ekimu's seventh., the Creature of StoneThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light as Ekimu's seventh., and concealed in a temple in the Region of StoneRegion of StoneThe northwestern desert region of Okoto, home of the Stone Tribe and the Protector of Stone, site of the Battle of the Mask Makers and the Black Crater, and the territory through which Pohatu hunted for the Golden Mask of Stone., it was the only Golden Mask of the original set to be lost and reclaimed by enemy action during the campaign. A Skull ScorpioSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone. snatched it from PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control.'s face in a Skull Graveyard, weakening him below the elemental threshold of his peers and forcing a recovery operation that the rest of the team had to detour to mount.

Forging and concealment#

The forging of the Golden Mask of Stone began with the same vision that produced the other five Golden Masks of PowerThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes.. EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. had travelled to the Temple of TimeThe Temple of TimeThe Protectors' most sacred site on Okoto, built to house the Mask of Time and the place at which Ekimu received the vision that prepared the island for the coming of the Toa., donned the Mask of TimeMask of TimeThe Kanohi Vahi is the Matoran Universe's deadliest mask, capable of stopping or accelerating time, and its creation nearly tore Metru Nui apart., and witnessed the coming of the prophesied ToaThe Toa of Okoto: The Six Heroes Summoned to Save the IslandThe six elemental heroes summoned by the Protectors of Okoto, who recovered the Golden Masks, woke Ekimu, fought the Skull Army, and twice banished Makuta to the Shadow Realm.. KetarThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light as Ekimu's seventh., the Creature of StoneThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light as Ekimu's seventh., broke a long isolation to deliver a Stone Crystal drawn from the deepest source of its element. The Crystal was the only material on OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors. that could hold a Toa-grade stone charge in a KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. without violating the sacred law that no mask could contain more than one element.

EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. worked the Crystal into a single mask at his forge in the City of the Mask MakersCapital CityThe former main city of Okoto, drawn into the Shadow Realm by the destruction of the Mask of Ultimate Power, leaving the Black Crater on the surface and a ruined court for Makuta in the dark below.. The finished piece shone with a metallic golden lustre and was tuned to the specific temperament of the Stone Toa whose arrival the prophecy had described. EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. dispatched the mask to NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone., the Protector of StoneProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived., with instructions that it be concealed in a temple on the protected territory and held until the prophesied Toa arrived. The temple was built. The mask went into it. EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. entered his long sleep, and the Golden Mask of Stone remained hidden in the desert temple for the centuries that followed.

The line of Protectors of Stone#

The duty of holding the temple passed through the line of the Protectors of StoneProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived.. Each Protector inherited the position from a father and was taught the Prophecy of Heroes, learned originally from EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. after the Battle of the Mask MakersThe Battle of the Mask MakersThe unveiling of the Mask of Ultimate Power at Capital City, the strike of the Hammer of Power, and the cataclysm that drew a metropolis into the Shadow Realm and left Okoto without its Mask Makers. and recited in times of peril at the Temple of TimeThe Temple of TimeThe Protectors' most sacred site on Okoto, built to house the Mask of Time and the place at which Ekimu received the vision that prepared the island for the coming of the Toa.. The Golden Mask of Stone's existence was the operational stake behind the recital, and the line's job was the mask's preservation across a span long enough to count generations.

By the period of the Skull SpiderSkull SpidersThe arachnid swarm that raided the villages of Okoto, clamped infection masks onto its captives, guarded the City of the Mask Makers under the Lord of Skull Spiders, and broke against the arrival of the Toa. infestation, NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone. held the position. When the stars aligned, as foretold, he joined the other ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. at the Temple of TimeThe Temple of TimeThe Protectors' most sacred site on Okoto, built to house the Mask of Time and the place at which Ekimu received the vision that prepared the island for the coming of the Toa. and recited the prayer. Six Toa fell from the sky onto OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors.. The Golden Mask of Stone, after centuries of waiting, was about to be claimed.

Pohatu's arrival in the Region of Stone#

PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. descended from the sky during the Gathering of the ProtectorsThe Gathering of the ProtectorsThe rite at the Temple of Time at which the six Protectors of Okoto recited the Prophecy of Heroes around the Mask of Time and summoned the Toa from the sky to deliver the island from the Skull Spider plague. and landed in the Region of StoneRegion of StoneThe northwestern desert region of Okoto, home of the Stone Tribe and the Protector of Stone, site of the Battle of the Mask Makers and the Black Crater, and the territory through which Pohatu hunted for the Golden Mask of Stone.. He was greeted by NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone., and the two set off together to claim the Golden Mask of PowerThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes. assigned to his element. The journey took weeks. After travelling through the region, the pair finally found the temple where the mask was hidden. They soon realised they were followed by Skull SpidersSkull SpidersThe arachnid swarm that raided the villages of Okoto, clamped infection masks onto its captives, guarded the City of the Mask Makers under the Lord of Skull Spiders, and broke against the arrival of the Toa., and the holding action that would define every Golden Mask recovery began.

Recovery at the temple#

NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone. decided to hold off the Skull SpiderSkull SpidersThe arachnid swarm that raided the villages of Okoto, clamped infection masks onto its captives, guarded the City of the Mask Makers under the Lord of Skull Spiders, and broke against the arrival of the Toa. pursuit with his Elemental Blaster while PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. crossed the final approach alone. The Blaster was sufficient to keep the swarm back, but only just. Before NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone. could be overtaken, PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. reached the mask, lifted it from its setting, and donned it. The activation produced the signature effect of the Golden MasksThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes. set: the starter equipment transformed into the permanent elemental tool kit. PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. was now armed with the twin StormerangsStormerangsPohatu's boomerang weapons that double as speed-enabling foot attachments called Jetarangs., paired weapons that could be hurled at enemies and recovered, attached to his feet as Jeterangs to allow flight, and used to generate a controlled mini-tornado.

PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control., now wearing the Golden Mask of Stone, threw one of his StormerangsStormerangsPohatu's boomerang weapons that double as speed-enabling foot attachments called Jetarangs. and took out a handful of the Skull SpidersSkull SpidersThe arachnid swarm that raided the villages of Okoto, clamped infection masks onto its captives, guarded the City of the Mask Makers under the Lord of Skull Spiders, and broke against the arrival of the Toa. immediately. He then raised a sandstorm through the mask's authority and defeated the rest of the swarm. The Golden Mask of Stone was on the face it had been forged for, the temple was empty of its centuries-old artefact, and NilkuuNilkuu, Protector of Stone of OkotoNilkuu was the village elder and Protector of Stone in the second age of Okoto, wielder of the Elemental Sandstone Blaster, rescuer of Bingzak, and guide who led Pohatu across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone. had survived the holding action thanks to the mask's late activation.

The Skull Scorpio theft#

The Golden Mask of Stone became the first of the six to be lost to enemy action. After the recovery operations across all six regions were complete and the Toa had united and defeated the Lord of Skull SpidersLord of Skull SpidersAn oversized Skull Spider that guarded the ancient City of the Mask Makers and commanded the rest of its species through the Golden Mask of the Skull Spiders., EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness.'s voice reached the team through their masks and directed them toward the Mask Maker's resting place. The route took them to the approach to the Tomb of the Mask MakersTomb of the Mask MakersThe hidden chamber beneath the Ancient City where the Protectors laid the comatose Ekimu in a gold coffin after the Battle of the Mask Makers, the resting place from which he guided the Toa and was at last revived.. On the way, OnuaOnua, Master of Earth: The Sage Toa of OkotoOnua of Okoto was the Master of Earth summoned by the Protectors, the quiet sage who separated Tahu and Kopaka at the Ancient City and felled the Lord of Skull Spiders with his Earthquake Hammer. smashed open the ground at a point LewaLewa, Master of Jungle: The Daredevil Toa of OkotoLewa of Okoto was the Master of Jungle summoned by the Protectors, the rebellious flier who quested for the Mask of Jungle in the Region of Jungle and bonded with Uxar in the second wave. had felt a breeze, and the team found an underground tunnel. At the end of the tunnel they escaped into a Skull Graveyard and were attacked by a gang of Skull ScorpiosSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone..

The Skull ScorpiosSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone. carried Gripping Pincers, weapons specifically designed to immobilise enemies and snatch the mask from an opponent's face. One of them executed exactly that move on PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control.. The Golden Mask of Stone was torn from him in the engagement, and PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. was left weak, his elemental output dropped below the threshold of his peers. Most of the rest of the team were defeated in the same engagement. LewaLewa, Master of Jungle: The Daredevil Toa of OkotoLewa of Okoto was the Master of Jungle summoned by the Protectors, the rebellious flier who quested for the Mask of Jungle in the Region of Jungle and bonded with Uxar in the second wave. outsmarted the Skull ScorpiosSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone. by squashing them while the other Toa were down. The mask was retrieved on the spot. PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. was restored to full strength, and the team continued to the Tomb. The episode demonstrated that the single-mask-per-Toa rule made the Golden Masks of PowerThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes. a strategic priority for both sides of the conflict, and that the Skull RaidersSkull RaidersThe ancient pirate band that plagued Okoto before the Mask Makers, was driven into the mountains, allied itself with Makuta, was trapped beneath the island by the cataclysm at Capital City, and dug its way back as the Skull Creatures under Kulta. had been issued equipment specifically for the mask-removal mission.

Destruction and reforging at the Forge#

The Golden Mask of Stone suffered its first and only total destruction at the Mask Makers' ForgeThe Great ForgeThe Mask Makers' principal forge in the heart of the Ancient City of Okoto, the place at which Ekimu shaped the island's Masks of Power, the site of the battle with the Skull Grinder, and the chamber whose extinguished flame marked the end of an age. shortly after the Skull ScorpioSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone. episode. The ToaThe Toa: Heroes of the Matoran UniverseThe Toa were biomechanical guardians sworn to protect the Matoran, bound by a strict code and defined by sacrifice across every age of the universe. awakened EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness. at the Tomb, learned that KultaKultaKulta was the leader of the Skull Creatures, a group native to the island of Okoto, and operated from the City of the Mask Makers. Armed with a Mask Stealer Staff and Hook Blade, he possessed the ability to drain masks of their Elemental Powers and once held both the powerless Skull Mask and the Mask of Creation. was about to destroy the Mask of CreationThe Mask of CreationThe signature Kanohi of Ekimu the Mask Maker, capable of bringing into being whatever its wearer envisioned. Stolen by Kulta the Skull Grinder, reclaimed at the Mask Makers' forge, and worn again in the final defence of Okoto. at the Forge, and rushed to intervene. They were pushed back individually on the way, including by a Skull BasherSkull BasherA Skull Creature guardian of Okoto's Temple of Creation, armed with mask-draining powers and hook axes. that took OnuaOnua, Master of Earth: The Sage Toa of OkotoOnua of Okoto was the Master of Earth summoned by the Protectors, the quiet sage who separated Tahu and Kopaka at the Ancient City and felled the Lord of Skull Spiders with his Earthquake Hammer.'s Golden Mask of Earth. At the Forge itself, KultaKultaKulta was the leader of the Skull Creatures, a group native to the island of Okoto, and operated from the City of the Mask Makers. Armed with a Mask Stealer Staff and Hook Blade, he possessed the ability to drain masks of their Elemental Powers and once held both the powerless Skull Mask and the Mask of Creation., wearing the Mask of CreationThe Mask of CreationThe signature Kanohi of Ekimu the Mask Maker, capable of bringing into being whatever its wearer envisioned. Stolen by Kulta the Skull Grinder, reclaimed at the Mask Makers' forge, and worn again in the final defence of Okoto. and wielding his Mask Stealer Staff, overpowered all six Toa in a single engagement and severely damaged their Golden Masks. The Golden Mask of Stone shattered alongside the other five.

EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness., revived and present at the Forge, reconstructed his Hammer of PowerHammer of PowerThe Hammer of Power is a weapon wielded by Ekimu, capable of creating as well as melee and ranged combat. In its powered-up form, the hammer manifests as light, its colors intact. on the spot, knocked the Mask of CreationThe Mask of CreationThe signature Kanohi of Ekimu the Mask Maker, capable of bringing into being whatever its wearer envisioned. Stolen by Kulta the Skull Grinder, reclaimed at the Mask Makers' forge, and worn again in the final defence of Okoto. from KultaKultaKulta was the leader of the Skull Creatures, a group native to the island of Okoto, and operated from the City of the Mask Makers. Armed with a Mask Stealer Staff and Hook Blade, he possessed the ability to drain masks of their Elemental Powers and once held both the powerless Skull Mask and the Mask of Creation.'s face, and defeated him. He then reforged the entire set of Golden Masks of PowerThe Six Golden Masks of Power of OkotoThe ultimate elemental Kanohi of Okoto, forged by Ekimu from sacred Elemental Crystals, hidden in shrines across the island, and worn by the Toa as the proof and the instrument of the Prophecy of Heroes. from the fragments KultaKultaKulta was the leader of the Skull Creatures, a group native to the island of Okoto, and operated from the City of the Mask Makers. Armed with a Mask Stealer Staff and Hook Blade, he possessed the ability to drain masks of their Elemental Powers and once held both the powerless Skull Mask and the Mask of Creation. had left on the floor of the Forge. The restored Golden Mask of Stone was functionally identical to the original. PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. received it back from EkimuEkimu the Mask MakerEkimu was the legendary Mask Maker of Okoto, brother of Makuta, and bearer of the Mask of Creation who struck down his brother's tyranny at the cost of his own consciousness.'s hands and wore it through the remainder of the immediate post-Forge period, until the Golden Unity Mask of StoneThe Golden Unity Masks of OkotoThe second-generation Golden Masks of Okoto, reforged by Ekimu from the shattered Golden Masks of Power and paired with the Elemental Creatures to unite the Toa with their elemental kin for the Mask of Control campaign. succeeded it during his partnership with KetarThe Elemental Creatures of OkotoThe six elemental animals of Okoto, partnered with the Toa to recover the Mask of Control, joined by Agil the Creature of Light as Ekimu's seventh..

The Golden Mask of Stone was, in the long view, the equipment that turned PohatuPohatu, Master of Stone: The Stubborn Toa of OkotoPohatu of Okoto was the Master of Stone summoned by the Protectors, the stubborn sandstorm-rider guided by Nilkuu through the Region of Stone whose hesitation at the Labyrinth cost the team the Mask of Control. from a stranded landing-party member into the Master of Stone the prophecy had specifically called for. The temple shrine was the spine of his opening operation, the Skull ScorpioSkull ScorpioThe scorpion-form units created by Kulta the Skull Grinder, sent in packs to ambush the Toa in a Skull Graveyard and strip Pohatu of his Golden Mask of Stone. theft in the Skull Graveyard was the mask's first major test as a strategic asset, and the StormerangsStormerangsPohatu's boomerang weapons that double as speed-enabling foot attachments called Jetarangs. that emerged with the mask were the reference weapons against which every subsequent upgrade in his career was measured.