Karda Nui

Karda Nui was the vast cavern at the core of the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control., the power source that supplied the light and energy the universe ran on. It was called the world that feeds the world. In the last years of the Matoran universe it held 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.'s Sky Villages, the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off., and the battle that decided whether 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. would wake. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

The cavern at the core#

Karda Nui was an enormous enclosed dome with no sunhole or stars. Its energy was sent 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 passed on from there to the rest of the universe, and if that flow stopped, the Great Spirit's health suffered. In normal times, fierce Energy Storms raged inside it as a sign of Mata Nui's strength. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Legends 2: Dark Destiny)

The cavern was built after Metru NuiMetru NuiThe city beneath Mata Nui functions as the Great Spirit's brain, housing the Matoran whose labor keeps the god alive.. When the storms died down as Mata Nui weakened, the floor was a sandy plain, and the only structure in the whole chamber was the CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off.. (BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The Av-Matoran#

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., the Matoran of Light, colonised Karda Nui long ago while the Toa Mata guarded it, mostly from living lightning bolts called Avohkah. When their work there was done, the Av-Matoran left the core and lived in caves above it. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

During the Great CataclysmThe Great CataclysmThe day Makuta Teridax put the Great Spirit to sleep, the Great Spirit Robot fell from the sky, Metru Nui flooded, and Voya Nui tore loose from the Southern Continent., several huge stalactites broke from the ceiling, and some of the Av-Matoran villages in the caves above came down with them, ending up on the tops of the stalactites. The Matoran rebuilt their homes there as the Sky Villages and made jetpacks to travel between them. TanmaTanma, Av-Matoran Resistance Leader of Karda NuiTanma was the Av-Matoran who took command of the Karda Nui resistance after Kirop's corruption, partnered with Lewa Nuva during the Phantoka campaign, and led the evacuation that carried the surviving Av-Matoran to Metru Nui., SolekSolekSolek was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside the Toa Nuva against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening., PhotokPhotokPhotok was an Av-Matoran of Karda Nui who fought alongside Tanma and Solek in the resistance against the Brotherhood of Makuta during the final battle for Mata Nui's awakening., GavlaGavlaAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui transformed into a Shadow Matoran, Gavla led Vamprah's corrupted villagers and resisted restoration., KiropKirop, Av-Matoran Leader of Karda NuiKirop was the leader of the Av-Matoran in Karda Nui, captured and transformed into a Shadow Matoran by the Brotherhood of Makuta, restored by the cry of a klakk, and a survivor of the Destiny War and the Reformation. and 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. were among the villagers. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The Makuta arrive#

The peace ended when TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna. ordered the Brotherhood of MakutaThe Brotherhood of MakutaAn organization of Makuta created by Mata Nui to build Rahi and keep order in his universe, later seized by Teridax and turned into the instrument of the Plan that overthrew the Great Spirit. to invade the core. The Makuta aimed to turn every Av-Matoran into a Shadow MatoranShadow MatoranAv-Matoran corrupted by the Makuta in Karda Nui, drained of Light and weaponized with shadow powers., so no more Toa of Light could be made, and to control what happened to 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.. Shadow leeches drained the Matoran's light one by one. GavlaGavlaAn Av-Matoran of Karda Nui transformed into a Shadow Matoran, Gavla led Vamprah's corrupted villagers and resisted restoration. was the first to be converted, and the Makuta made her leader of the Shadow Matoran. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy. led the invasion. He, ChiroxChiroxA Makuta of the Brotherhood who questioned Teridax's plans before being sent to Karda Nui. and VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. attacked the villages from the air, while KrikaKrikaThe cautious Mistika leader who survived by never taking unnecessary risks, until Teridax's Plan forced his hand., GorastGorastA Makuta defined by rage and ruthlessness, Gorast conquered the Visorak and became Teridax's most devoted enforcer. and BitilBitilA Makuta obsessed with enslaving Toa, Bitil weaponized his Mohtrek's copying power in the final invasion of Karda Nui. went down to the swamp to hunt for the IgnikaThe Mask of Life (Kanohi Ignika), explainedA failsafe forged by the Great Beings to recharge a god. It curses everyone who touches it, and by the end of Bionicle it had learned how to be a hero.. MutranMutranMutran is a Makuta of the Brotherhood of Makuta who serves as the Makuta of Voya Nui and is among the most prolific Rahi creators within the organization. Hailing from the Southern Islands, he wears the Great Shelek and commands the powers of Shadow and Silence alongside the full range of Kraata abilities, wielding a Shadow Blade, Shadow Spear, and Tridax Pod in combat. worked on his own island, creating creatures for the campaign. When the light of Mata Nui's revival blinded the three aerial Makuta, they used Shadow Matoran as their eyes, and Antroz later sent VicanVicanVican is a mutated Le-Matoran who previously served as a Shadow Matoran and as an assistant to Mutran. He wears a powerless Shelek, wields claws, and bore the black and lime coloring of his time as a Shadow Matoran. Connected to the element of Air, Vican resides on Spherus Magna. to bring IcaraxIcaraxHe thought scheming was for the weak and said so out loud, so the canon made sure the thing that finally killed him was a scheme. into the fight. (BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky; BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The Swamp of Secrets#

The Swamp of SecretsSwamp of SecretsThe Swamp of Secrets was the mutagen-saturated wetland that filled the floor of Karda Nui after the Great Cataclysm, serving as a Brotherhood stronghold until the Energy Storms. was also a product of the Great CataclysmThe Great CataclysmThe day Makuta Teridax put the Great Spirit to sleep, the Great Spirit Robot fell from the sky, Metru Nui flooded, and Voya Nui tore loose from the Southern Continent.. When Voya NuiVoya NuiAn island born from catastrophe and hiding the universe's most powerful artifact, Voya Nui was everything Bionicle 2006 promised: danger, mystery, and a race against time. rocketed loose from the Southern ContinentThe Southern ContinentThe Southern Continent was a vast landmass beneath the Matoran Universe, scarred by Voya Nui's separation and held under Makuta Mutran's nominal dominion., it tore a hole in the roof above Karda Nui, and sea water carrying the PitThe PitThe Order of Mata Nui's maximum-security underwater prison where the Barraki warlords were held until catastrophe broke their chains. mutagen poured in as a giant waterfall, turning the sandy floor into a swamp. Before Voya Nui's return sealed the hole, MatoroMatoroA quiet Ko-Matoran translator who became a Toa Inika and then a Toa Mahri, Matoro gave his life with the Mask of Life to restore Mata Nui. slipped through and used the Ignika to bring Mata Nui back from death, at the cost of his own life. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets; BIONICLE Legends 9: Shadows in the Sky)

The swamp mutated those who stayed in it. The Makuta who went there took the forms of swamp insects, and Krika, the first to arrive, was changed most of all, locked into his insect form. 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. who went down to the swamp were protected by the Adaptive Armour that Artakha had given them, which changed to suit whatever environment its wearer was in. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets)

The Codrex#

The CodrexThe CodrexA spherical vault built by the Great Beings in Karda Nui, where the Toa Mata slept in their canisters and where Mata Nui's reawakening was finally set off. was the reason for the whole Toa Nuva campaign. Long ago, Tahu and Kopaka had tricked the other Toa Mata into it as the Energy Storms began, and the six had sealed themselves in its Toa canisters. It also held three vehicles, the Rockoh T3Rockoh T3One of three vehicles hidden in the Codrex, piloted by Pohatu during the climax of Karda Nui's story., Jetrax T6Jetrax T6An ice-element airship stolen by Makuta Antroz in the climax of the Karda Nui conflict. and Axalara T9Axalara T9A sleek airborne tank equipped with Midak Skyblasters, the Axalara T9 was Lewa's weapon when air superiority mattered most in Karda Nui., and the means to wake Mata Nui. An energy field protected it, and only the six keystones could open the way in. (BIONICLE Legends 10: Swamp of Secrets; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

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. gathered the keystones over the course of the campaign, fighting the Makuta for them. Once Tahu set the joined keystone into the Codrex, the barrier lowered and they went inside, but AntrozAntrozMakuta commander who led the Phantoka assault on Karda Nui and pilot of the Jetrax T6, ultimately outmaneuvered by Kopaka's superior strategy. slipped in after them and hijacked the Jetrax T6. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle; BIONICLE Ignition 14: Endgame)

The awakening and the Energy Storms#

The awakening process turned out to be too slow: the Ignika's countdown to the death of the universe would run out first. The Toa Nuva realised the Mask of Life could supply the missing energy, and Toa Ignika gave up the body it had made for itself to wake Mata Nui. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle; BIONICLE Ignition 14: Endgame)

The awakening brought 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 fed the Great Spirit's body with the energy it needed. back. 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. had already warned the Av-Matoran that the storms would kill anyone left in the core, and he sent them away 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 Toa Nuva escaped as well. (Takanuva's Blog; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

The Makuta were not so lucky. Krika had overheard Takanuva's warning and tried to tell the others, but GorastGorastA Makuta defined by rage and ruthlessness, Gorast conquered the Visorak and became Teridax's most devoted enforcer., taking it for treachery, used her Felnas on his intangibility until he faded from existence. Earlier, Gorast and VamprahVamprahVamprah hunted in absolute silence, but silence wasn't enough when Tahu outmaneuvered him in the swamp. had killed IcaraxIcaraxHe thought scheming was for the weak and said so out loud, so the canon made sure the thing that finally killed him was a scheme. when he tried to destroy the Codrex. When the storms came, Mutran was incinerated while trying to study them, Antroz died after Bitil refused to help him escape, and the rest of the Makuta in the core died with them. Everything in Karda Nui except the Codrex was destroyed. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle; BIONICLE: Makuta's Guide to the Universe)

Aftermath#

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. woke, but the cavern was left dead, its villages and its swamp gone. The Av-Matoran who had lived there were safe in Metru Nui, where they gathered with the other Matoran to celebrate the Great Spirit's return. (Takanuva's Blog; BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)

What came next was TeridaxTeridaxTeridax orchestrated a thousand-year scheme that ended with him occupying the Great Spirit Robot itself before his death on Bara Magna.'s seizure of Mata Nui's body. The awakening the Toa Nuva had fought for was the moment Teridax had been waiting for, and he announced his rule over the universe while the Matoran celebrated. Karda Nui's Makuta had been expendable to his plan. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)