Kerato, Ancient Protector of Stone of Okoto

Kerato was the Protector of StoneProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. of OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors. at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, serving alongside UganuUganu, Ancient Protector of Ice of OkotoUganu was the Protector of Ice of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Melum's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Izotor., AgarakAgarak, Ancient Protector of Jungle of OkotoAgarak was the Protector of Jungle of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, husband and father, and the only ancient Protector whose gender is recorded; founder of the lineage that descended to Vizuna., MamukMamuk, Ancient Protector of Fire of OkotoMamuk was the Protector of Fire of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Ikir's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Narmoto., OwakiOwaki, Ancient Protector of Water of OkotoOwaki was the Protector of Water of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Akida's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Kivoda., and EtokuEtoku, Ancient Protector of Earth of OkotoEtoku was the Protector of Earth of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Terak's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Korgot. under the leadership of 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.. A staunch ally of the Mask Maker, Kerato gathered an elemental crystal from KetarKetarKetar is an Elemental Creature of Stone native to Okoto, bearing neon yellow, silver, and brown coloration. Armed with crystal blades, Ketar is devoted to protecting the Region of Stone and aiding the Toa in their missions on the island., Creature of Stone, witnessed 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 fall at Capital CityCapital 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., and founded the Protector lineage that descended through centuries 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 office and the Festival of Masks#

Kerato held the office of Protector of StoneProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. in the first age of OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors., the period before the Battle of the Mask Makers shattered the peace of the island. The office carried responsibility for the desert region, the defence of its villages, and a place in the council of six elders who advised the Mask Makers and guarded the customs of the Stone Tribe. Kerato served alongside UganuUganu, Ancient Protector of Ice of OkotoUganu was the Protector of Ice of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Melum's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Izotor. of Ice, AgarakAgarak, Ancient Protector of Jungle of OkotoAgarak was the Protector of Jungle of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, husband and father, and the only ancient Protector whose gender is recorded; founder of the lineage that descended to Vizuna. of Jungle, MamukMamuk, Ancient Protector of Fire of OkotoMamuk was the Protector of Fire of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Ikir's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Narmoto. of Fire, OwakiOwaki, Ancient Protector of Water of OkotoOwaki was the Protector of Water of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Akida's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Kivoda. of Water, and EtokuEtoku, Ancient Protector of Earth of OkotoEtoku was the Protector of Earth of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, gatherer of Terak's elemental crystal, and founder of the lineage that descended to Korgot. of Earth. All six stood as staunch allies of 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. and supported him in the dispute that had grown between the two Mask Maker brothers.

At the Festival of Masks, 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. presented each Protector with a new Protector Mask of their respective element, the artefacts that would become hereditary regalia of the office in the centuries that followed. Kerato received the Elemental Stone Protector Mask at this ceremony. During the same gathering, the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. and 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. learned of MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City.'s effort to forge a mask that combined the powers of all six elements, an ambition that broke the long-standing rule against the merging of elemental energies and that would, if completed, give its wearer power over the whole of OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors..

The journey to the Temple of Time and the crystal of KetarKetarKetar is an Elemental Creature of Stone native to Okoto, bearing neon yellow, silver, and brown coloration. Armed with crystal blades, Ketar is devoted to protecting the Region of Stone and aiding the Toa in their missions on the island.#

After the Festival, the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. witnessed the appearance of the six Elemental CreaturesThe 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. of OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors.. 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. recognised the significance of their emergence and led the council 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., where he 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.. The vision granted by the mask showed 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. the coming cataclysm that MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City.'s mask would trigger, and the eventual arrival of six 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. from beyond OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors. who would be needed to restore the island. Kerato heard the prophecy alongside the other ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived..

To prepare for the Toa's eventual arrival, 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. directed the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. to gather Elemental Crystals from the six Creatures. Each crystal would power one of the Golden Masks that 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. was forging for the prophesied heroes. All of the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. except AgarakAgarak, Ancient Protector of Jungle of OkotoAgarak was the Protector of Jungle of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, husband and father, and the only ancient Protector whose gender is recorded; founder of the lineage that descended to Vizuna., who remained behind with his family, set out on this errand. Kerato travelled into the desert region in search of KetarKetarKetar is an Elemental Creature of Stone native to Okoto, bearing neon yellow, silver, and brown coloration. Armed with crystal blades, Ketar is devoted to protecting the Region of Stone and aiding the Toa in their missions on the island., Creature of Stone, and returned with the crystal that would later empower the Golden Mask of Stone worn by 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 Battle of the Mask Makers and the fall of Ekimu#

When MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City. completed the Mask of Ultimate PowerMask of Ultimate PowerA heretical Kanohi forged by Makuta of Okoto that contained the powers of all six elements and ruined the Mask Makers' civilization the moment it was worn. and donned it at Capital CityCapital 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 ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. marched alongside 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. in an effort to stop the catastrophe before it spread. Kerato stood among the council at this final confrontation. 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. struck the mask from his brother's face with the 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., and the resulting explosion sent MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City. and the whole of Capital CityCapital 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. into the Shadow Realm.

The same blast knocked 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. into a coma and scattered the Mask of CreationMask of Creation: the Legendary Kanohi of ArtakhaOne of the three most powerful Kanohi in the Matoran Universe, the Mask of Creation let its wearer envision and build any object from raw materials. Won by Artakha and worn for over a hundred thousand years., the Mask of Control, the six Golden Masks of the Toa, and the fragments of the Forbidden MaskThe Forbidden MaskThe Forbidden Mask was the alternate name for the heretical Kanohi forged by Makuta of Okoto in violation of the single sacred law of Okotan mask craft, whose destruction sent Capital City into the Shadow Realm and whose fragments were later hunted across the island by Umarak. across OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors.. Kerato and the other surviving ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. recovered the body of 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. from the ruined ground and carried him back to 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 Mask Maker was placed in long sleep, and the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. became the guardians of his rest as well as of the island.

The hunt for the scattered masks#

The work that followed occupied Kerato and the other ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. for the rest of their lives. The masks that had been blown across OkotoOkotoOkoto is a world whose known inhabitants include the Toa, the Mask makers, and the Protectors. by the explosion lay in temples, caves, and remote ridgelines throughout the six elemental regions, and many had been driven into terrain that was hostile and dangerous. Kerato turned the resources of 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. toward this task and worked alongside the other ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. in pursuit of the artefacts that the prophecy had named as the Toa's eventual equipment.

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. went unrecovered in this period and would later be located 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. himself after his awakening. The Mask of ControlThe Mask of ControlThe Kanohi of mind control once worn by Makuta of Okoto, hidden by the Elemental Creatures, sought by the Toa, and lost with Umarak the Destroyer at the Black Crater. fell into the wrong hands and contributed to the second-age threat posed by the Skull GrinderSkull GrinderThe title borne by Kulta after his alliance with Makuta, marking his role as the wielder of the Mask Stealer Staff, the mask-burner at the Mask Makers' forge, and the first foe to defeat the Toa in single combat on Okoto.. The Golden Masks remained scattered until the Toa arrived in the second age and completed the recovery one by one. Kerato did not live to see the prophesied heroes fall to the island, but the foundation of intelligence about the masks and their resting places that the first-age ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. compiled was the inheritance later generations drew on.

Lineage and successor#

The office of Protector of StoneProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. passed down within Kerato's family in keeping with the rule that bound each of the six elemental offices to a single hereditary line. The succession continued across the centuries that followed the Battle of the Mask Makers, through generations whose individual names are not recorded, until it reached 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. in the second age. The Elemental Stone Protector Mask that 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 given to Kerato at the Festival of Masks was handed down alongside the office and was the mask 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. wore when he guided 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. across the desert to the Golden Mask of Stone.

The Elemental Sandstone BlasterThe Elemental Sandstone BlasterThe Elemental Sandstone Blaster was the close-range melee and sand-blast weapon carried by Nilkuu of Stone through the second-age campaign on Okoto, and the tool that passed to Pohatu in powered-up form at the temple of the Golden Mask of Stone. that came to be associated with the office in the second age may or may not have been Kerato's original weapon, but the lineage and its hereditary regalia traced unbroken back to the Protector who had served 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 time of the Battle. When 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. bowed before the revived 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. 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. at the close of the second-age campaign, the line that closed in that moment was the one Kerato had founded centuries earlier on the same ground.

Standing and significance#

Kerato's gender is not recorded in the surviving accounts of the first-age ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived., a gap that applies equally to the other ancient holders of the office with the sole exception of AgarakAgarak, Ancient Protector of Jungle of OkotoAgarak was the Protector of Jungle of Okoto at the time of the Battle of the Mask Makers, ally of Ekimu, husband and father, and the only ancient Protector whose gender is recorded; founder of the lineage that descended to Vizuna., who is known to have had a son. Nor is it recorded whether Kerato was among the ProtectorsProtectorsThe six elders of Okoto's villages, each wielding elemental powers and guarding their regions before the Toa arrived. who fought 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. alongside 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. and MakutaMakuta (2015)Ekimu's brother and rival Mask Maker, who forged the forbidden Mask of Ultimate Power and was sealed in the Shadow Realm with Capital City. in the conflict that preceded the Festival of Masks. What is preserved is the role Kerato played in the events that defined the first age: gatherer of an elemental crystal from KetarKetarKetar is an Elemental Creature of Stone native to Okoto, bearing neon yellow, silver, and brown coloration. Armed with crystal blades, Ketar is devoted to protecting the Region of Stone and aiding the Toa in their missions on the island., witness to 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 fall at Capital CityCapital 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., bearer of the comatose Mask Maker's body back to 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., and founder of the hereditary lineage that endured through the long silence and produced 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. in time for the prophesied arrival of the 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..