Mask of Mutation

The Mask of Mutation is a KanohiKanohiMasks that grant powers and sustain life, they're the most vital artifact in the Matoran Universe. of the Matoran UniverseMatoran UniverseA civilization of biomechanical beings living inside a colossal robot, destroyed when Teridax seized control. that lets its wearer permanently alter the form of another living being. Writer Greg Farshtey's online answers give it to MiserixMiserixThe deposed Makuta leader clawed back from exile to hunt the brother who stole his throne., the first leader of the Brotherhood of MakutaMakuta (Species)Shadowy Antidermis beings and the Brotherhood's elite, Makuta commanded darkness and shaped the Matoran Universe's fate., and say only Makuta use it. The mask's powers are never shown in a published story, so what follows is mostly the writer's later comment. (The Mutran Chronicles; Writer's later comment, not a published story)

Powers#

According to Farshtey's online answers, a Great Mask of Mutation lets its user permanently mutate another living being from a distance, and can add or take away powers as part of the change. It cannot change the target's element, and the user cannot turn it on themselves. A mutation it causes lasts until the same user undoes it. (Writer's later comment, not a published story)

He also said the user can undo some other kinds of mutation, such as those caused by Hordika venom, Makuta viruses or Roodaka's Rhotuka, but not changes caused by Energized ProtodermisEnergized ProtodermisA sentient substance that could remake or annihilate any being that touched it. One of the Matoran Universe's most lethal hazards., and that reversing a mutation is harder without knowing how it was made. A Noble version would be weaker. (Writer's later comment, not a published story)

Wearers and significance#

MiserixMiserixThe deposed Makuta leader clawed back from exile to hunt the brother who stole his throne. led 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. before Teridax. When Teridax laid out his plan at a Convocation on Destral, Miserix saw it as a grab for the leadership and attacked him, and Teridax, now leader, ordered Krika and Spiriah to execute him. Krika instead imprisoned Miserix on the island of Artidax, where Brutaka's team later found him chained in the form of a dragon-like beast. (The Mutran Chronicles; Federation of Fear)

Farshtey's answers make Miserix the wearer of a Great Mask of Mutation, chosen for him because it suited the Brotherhood's original purpose better than the KraahkanKanohi KraahkanTeridax's Great Mask sees the darkness in everyone. That's how it conquered the Matoran universe. did. He also said Toa would not consider the mask immoral, since Miserix took no part in the Makuta's later rebellion. (Writer's later comment, not a published story)

That fits how the story remembers him. Krika, looking back, says there was a time when Miserix led the Brotherhood and it stood for something. The power to reshape another being against its will would still make the mask one of the more dangerous in any Makuta's hands. (BIONICLE Legends 11: The Final Battle)