Protodermis
"Protodermis, the stuff of life..."
— Whenua, Mata Nui Online Game
| Protodermis | |
| |
| Substance | |
| Function | Numerous |
| Known states | Solid, liquid, gaseous[1] |
| Primary location | Matoran Universe (formerly), Spherus Magna |
| Pronunciation | Pro-toe-DERR-miss |
Protodermis is a synthetic atomic element[2][3] (not to be confused with the Elements[4]). It is capable of forming various molecular structures[5] and is very versatile,[6] and thus constitutes nearly everything (materials, objects, islands, beings, ...) in the Matoran Universe.[1] Energized protodermis, which is naturally occurring,[7] is not required at all in the creation of protodermis.[8][9] Antidermis is a byproduct of it.[10][11]
History
Before the discovery of energized protodermis,[12] protodermis was synthetically created by the Great Beings on Spherus Magna, and many varieties of it were created, differing in states, durability, and various other properties. The Great Beings used the many types of protodermis to construct the Mata Nui Robot and all of the locations and inhabitants of the Matoran Universe within him. Protodermis was mined in several parts of the Matoran Universe, but it was a dangerous task.[13]
On Metru Nui, solid protodermis was mined in Onu-Metru,[1] while liquid protodermis was channeled from the Silver Sea into Ga-Metru, where it was purified. Protodermis was used all over the city, where it was turned into various objects such as Kanoka disks, Kanohi masks, weapons, tools, and transports.
On Mata Nui, solid Protodermis was mined in the Great Mine in Onu-Koro by the Onu-Matoran[1] and then traded and used to make goods.
Purification Process
In the Great Temple in Ga-Metru, liquid protodermis was drawn from the Silver Sea[14] into special purification chambers[15] to be purified through rapid heating and cooling, which removed any impurities from it, turning it from a silvery liquid into a clear liquid with a bluish tinge.[14][16] The purification work was performed by a special group of Ga-Matoran. While a few read passages in an ancient Matoran dialect asking for the protection and aid of Mata Nui, the others supervised the actual process.[16] A separation tank was also required.[17]
Forms
Gaseous Protodermis
Liquid Protodermis
- Raw liquid protodermis is a half-clear and silvery liquid that comprises the oceans of the Matoran Universe and contains impurities.[1][21] It can be controlled and absorbed by a Toa of Water.
- Pure liquid protodermis is the clear and slightly bluish liquid obtained after the purification of raw liquid protodermis.[14] It can be created, controlled, and absorbed by a Toa of Water. On Metru Nui, it was obtained in the Great Temple and then transported through underground pipes to other places in the city. It was also used in Chutes, contained by a magnetic sheath that enabled its flow.[22]
- Molten protodermis is solid or pure liquid protodermis that has been heated.[16][23] It has the properties of molten metal and cannot be created or controlled by a Toa of Iron.[24][25] While it can be created by Toa of Fire and Stone working together,[26] they cannot control it easily if at all.[27][28] On Metru Nui, molten protodermis was dumped in a subterranean pipe system and used to heat the city. It was also used in Ta-Metru to create Kanohi, Kanoka, and tools, or allowed to return to the sea.[29][16]
Solid Protodermis
- Metallic protodermis is a variety of solid protodermis that resembles metals, some types of which are derived from the solidification of molten protodermis. Armor usually comes in this solid form, as do the products of Ta-Metru Foundries and other artifacts. Special types of metallic protodermis exist, like that of transparent Kanohi,[30] copper Masks of Victory,[31] and the precious metals that compose the Toa Hagah's armor.[32] Protosteel is the hardest known type of metallic protodermis, often used in the making of weapons. All types of metallic protodermis can be created, controlled and absorbed by a Toa of Iron,[33] but he cannot transmute one type of metallic protodermis into another.[34] They are all susceptible to magnetism[35] but only some can be magnetized.[36][37][38] A Toa of Magnetism can therefore affect them via magnetic fields, but cannot create them.[39]
- Stonelike/Earthlike protodermis[40] is a variety of solid protodermis, some types of which can be created, controlled, and absorbed by a Toa of Stone and others by a Toa of Earth. It was used to construct almost every land, building and carving in the Matoran Universe. In the Great Mine of Onu-Koro, solid protodermis in the form of gelatinous rock was extracted from the earth and collected using pickaxes and sluices. Toa Seals are made out of a rocklike protodermis.[41][42]
- Frozen protodermis is liquid protodermis that has been frozen.[43] It can be created, controlled, and absorbed by a Toa of Ice. It is different from crystalline protodermis.[44]
- Crystalline protodermis is a variety of solid protodermis in the form of crystals, which a Toa of Stone cannot wield.[45][46] Knowledge Crystals, the Knowledge Towers of Ko-Metru that were grown from them,[47] Memory Crystals, Lightstones,[48] and Heatstones[49] are made up of different types of crystalline protodermis. Another type can be produced by the Shadowed One's Staff of Protodermis.[50]
Organic Protodermis
Organic protodermis makes up all the tissues of the biomechanical beings from the Matoran Universe, including Tren Krom.[51] Being artificial, it emulates the properties of natural organic tissues without being truly organic.[52] It decays over time if not supplied with energy, but regenerates much faster than natural organic tissues. For instance, as the Toa Mata laid inactive for a thousand years in their Toa Canisters while adrift on the Endless Ocean, their organic parts decayed, but they quickly regrew when they fused their lost limbs back on. Protodermic muscles are stronger than natural organic muscles,[53] and notably contribute to the body's integrity of the former Matoran Universe inhabitants as well as the cohesion of their mechanical parts.[54] Biomechanical beings can rebuild themselves by painlessly detaching the living tissue from their mechanical parts and fusing it with new ones.[54][55] Organic protodermis has a cellular structure.[56] A priori, organic protodermis does not have DNA or a genetic equivalent.[57][note 1]
Trivia
References
Notes
| Substances/Energies | ||
| Spherus Magna (Aqua Magna) |
Energized Protodermis | Exsidian | Pit Mutagen | |
| Matoran Universe |
Antidermis | Energized Protodermis | Hordika Venom | Protodermis | Protosteel | Toa Power | Toa Seal | Virus | |
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