Artakha (Location)

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This article is about the location. You may be looking for the being.

"Artakha can go from beautiful and idyllic one moment to dark and forbidding the next, depending on what impression its ruler seeks to make."

— Member of the Order of Mata Nui, BIONICLE World

Parent Page: Locations

Artakha (Location) Location Category: Major Inhabited Location

Location Info
Residents	Matoran
Population	Around 100
Position	Unknown
Pronunciation	arr-TOCK-ah

Artakha, also called the Great Refuge, is an island governed by the being Artakha, and home to the world's best Matoran creators. In Matoran legend it is said that good workers were sent to Artakha, a place where no evil could enter. Another myth states that the Artakha Bulls were the only Rahi allowed to enter the realm, which is how they got their name. It is also said that Artakha can be a paradise one moment, and a disastrous land the next, depending on how its ruler wants the land presented. It was here that many important artifacts were made.

[carve] History

City view of Artakha.

Artakha was one of the first islands to come into existence, alongside Karzahni. Once the universe was whole, the inhabitants of the island created various important artifacts. It was here that the Helryx, the first Toa, and the Toa Mata, came into existence. The Avohkii, the Kraahkan, the Great Disks, some Kanohi Nuva, the Nuva Symbols, the Nuva Cube, and Maxilos Pit robots were also made here. The island was protected from intrusions by flying and marine Rahi created by its assigned Makuta, Kojol. However, Artakha was raided by Kojol under orders from the Brotherhood of Makuta after its fall to corruption, during which the Brotherhood stole the Mask of Light from the island. Kojol's first wave of Visorak was destroyed by two Crystal Serpents, and Artakha's devices destroyed the Rahkshi that Kojol send next. But the Rahkshi distracted the defenses long enough for the Exo-Toa Kojol had brought to land, and the island's inhabitants were unable to stop them. Against orders, Kojol himself entered the fortress and took the mask.

After Kojol's raid, Artakha asked that the Order of Mata Nui remove all traces of his realm's existence. The Order complied and eliminated everyone who knew where the realm was located and destroyed all existing maps showing it. Meanwhile, the residents of Artakha destroyed a larger, uninhabited island nearby, along with the land bridge that used to connect them. To this day its exact location is a well-kept secret, if anyone knows at all.

During the search for the Toa of Light by Takua and Jaller, two other Matoran, whose names are unknown, began a quest of their own to find Artakha, believing that the Matoran could shelter there away from the destructive might of Teridax and his Rahkshi. They never succeeded in finding the Great Refuge, but upon arriving in Mangaia, where they met Teridax, they realized that maybe it was best to stay away from adventure.

As part of their mission to prepare the world for Mata Nui's awakening, the Toa Nuva were invited to the island of Artakha, their birthplace. They themselves do not know where the island is located, since they were taken there by teleportation. Upon arriving, the Toa were greeted by a welcoming sight of a tropical island with delighted Matoran. Shortly thereafter, however, the landscape changed rapidly, as storms raged and the plants they had seen shriveled and died. Eventually the Toa arrived at the fortress, where they were asked by the being Artakha for details of their recent deeds. When the Toa finished their tales, Artakha presented them with Adaptive Armor, and teleported them to Karda Nui, saying that the time had come for them to complete their duty.

[carve] Dark Mirror

In the alternate universe that Takanuva was accidentally transported to, Artakha was where the Kanohi Vahi was forged. Jaller was sent to lead a group of Matoran to Artakha to confiscate the Vahi for the Toa Empire.

[carve] Landscape

The Great Hau statue.

Artakha is a land of advanced technology and is filled with modern cities. Indeed, many other cities, such as Metru Nui, were based on Artakha's design. In the center of the island is a large statue of a Great Kanohi Hau. The rest of the geography is always changing, as Artakha can change it to look however he pleases by using a mechanism on the island. Artakha was damaged during the Great Cataclysm, however, it was repaired very quickly.

[carve] Getting There

Very few people know where Artakha is besides its residents. After the raid by the Brotherhood of Makuta, the Order of Mata Nui subsequently eliminated all maps and individuals (including its own members) who knew the location of the island. If anyone on the outside still knows how to reach the island, they have not said, and as such the knowledge has been virtually lost.

The only beings known to have visited the island since then are the Toa Nuva, who were teleported there from Daxia, along with an unnamed Matoran.