Hordika Venom

"Hordika venom courses within you. If it is not neutralized, it will take root, and Hordika you will be, forever."
— Rahaga Norik, Web of Shadows

Hordika Venom
A Suukorak using Hordika Venom to mutate Toa Vakama
Substance
Function	Causes bestial transformations in biomechanical beings
Known states	Liquid
Primary location	Visorak Visorak victims
Pronunciation	hoar-DEE-kah

Hordika Venom, also called Visorak Venom, is a copper-colored mutagenic substance occurring naturally within Visorak. The spider-like Rahi use it on their victims, usually injected from the barbs in the cocoons of their webbing, but they can also deliver it through their fangs.

History

A mutated Kikanalo emerging from its cocoon

During their attempted conquest of Metru Nui, the Visorak were ordered to mutate the Toa Metru, who were attempting to stop them. These Toa began mutating into beasts, and named themselves the Toa Hordika as a result. While struggling to overcome their transformations, they continued their quest to save the Matoran of the city, and eventually discovered Keetongu, a legendary Rahi with knowledge of how to cure the effects of the venom.

Functionality

Hordika Venom causes random mutations as well as mental degradation, driving the afflicted being into a bestial rage. This is why Toa infected with the venom lose access to their mask powers and the ability to form a Kaita. Over time, the victim eventually transforms into a Rahi. During its early stages, the transformation can be halted and reversed by those with a knowledge of how to cure it. However, past a certain threshold, the victim will inevitably become a Rahi. Rahi injected with the venom become more savage and vicious as a result of the mutation. The venom often gives the beings affected new powers, which usually manifest in the form of natural Rhotuka Launchers.

While technically a mutagen, Hordika Venom differs from other mutagenic substances, namely that it causes psychological damage, while others, like Pit Mutagen, do not. The venom is also distinct for being unable to affect inorganic objects, but Energized Protodermis, Pit Mutagen, Reconstitute at Random Kanoka, and Roodaka's Rhotuka could. The only exception is when an object is closely tied to a being, and that being is also mutated by the venom.

Keetongu is the only known being in the Matoran Universe with the knowledge of how to cure Hordika Venom. However, it is possible that a being wearing a Mask of Mutation, for example Makuta Miserix, could undo the mutations caused by the venom, but the user would need to know how it works. The Kanohi Ignika can also cure the effects by devolving the afflicted being.

Like Viruses, Hordika Venom cannot affect organic beings such as Agori and Glatorian.

When diluted, venom acts as a sedative rather than a mutagen, which the Visorak use in their cocoons. The Visorak also use more concentrated venom when mutating powerful beings.

Beings Affected

• The Toa Metru (all formerly)
• Savage
• The Hordika Dragons
• A Kikanalo
• A Lohrak
• A Muaka
• A Kavinika
• Various Rahi and other inhabitants of the Matoran Universe

Trivia

• Unlike the Visorak, Kahgarak do not have Hordika Venom.
• The Bohrok-Kal may have been created using Hordika venom or a variation of that.
• "Hordika" is a Matoran word meaning "half-beast."
• The Dark Hunter Tracker has claimed to be a victim of the venom, although he is known to alter his own personal history in different ways.
• In early concepts for the 2005 storyline, the Hordika venom would have turned its victim into part-Visorak. However, this idea was scrapped.