Rau

This page features content from BIONICLE Generation 1
External Image
From BIONICLEsector01

"The lead Kikanalo gave an angry snort as it closed in on Nokama. The Toa of Water responded with a similar sound."
— Narrator, Legends of Metru Nui

Rau
Kanohi
Title Mask of Translation
Powers Speaking/Understanding other languages
Component disks Remove Poison
Enlarge
Bearers Nokama
Pronunciation RAOW[1][note 1]


The Kanohi Rau is the Mask of Translation. The Great version allows its user to understand and speak in almost any written or spoken language. This includes those on Spherus Magna like Agori.[2][3][4] The Rau automatically converts the language into words and concepts the user is able to understand from their frame of reference.[5] In order to translate speech or text, the user must be able to hear or see it, respectively.[6] This is why the mask does not work on the Vahki, which speak at a pitch not able to be heard.[7] The Noble version only lets the user understand writing, runes, and symbols.[1] Both versions enable the user to comprehend the meaning behind carvings. It only works on written or spoken languages[8] and does not work on body language[9] or help the user understand idioms in a language.[10]

On Metru Nui, Kanohi Rau are made from Remove Poison and Enlarge Kanoka.[11]

A Great Kanohi Rau in action

Example Usages

Bearers

Great

Matoran
  • Dalu
  • Nokama - Formerly; became Great when she transformed into a Toa Metru

Noble

  • Turaga Vakama - Former secondary mask; destroyed during the sinking of Ta-Koro
  • Turaga Nokama - Primary mask
  • Turaga Matau - Secondary mask
  • Turaga Onewa - Secondary mask
  • Turaga Whenua - Secondary mask
  • Turaga Nuju - Secondary mask
  • The Toa Mata - Former secondary masks; lost when they became Toa Nuva, now with the Turaga
A Noble Kanohi Rau in action
Matoran

Unidentified shape

Forms

A Great Kanohi Rau in BIONICLE Heroes
Picture Description
A Matoran Kanohi Rau in Great form, as seen in Legends of Metru Nui
A Great Kanohi Rau
A Great Kanohi Rau mutated by Hordika Venom
A Noble Kanohi Rau

Set Information

The noble Rau was first released in 2001 as part of 8543 Nokama in light blue. It was one of the masks possible to be received in 8525 BIONICLE Masks, in orange, lime green, tan, light blue, light gray, and dark gray. In 2004, it was released as part of 8610 Ahkmou in light brown dual-injected with silver. The mask bears the code 1-BC on the inside.

The Great Kanohi Rau was released in transparent blue in 2004, as part of set 8602 Toa Nokama, and in 2006 in set 8726 Dalu. Though they use the same color and element ID, the mask is noticably different between the two sets due to changes in plastic composition.

A Hordika-version of the mask was released in dark blue as part of 8737 Toa Hordika Nokama in 2005.

Trivia

  • In 2005, The LEGO Group produced a foam mask in the shape of Nokama's Rau after it was mutated by Hordika Venom.[15]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Rau." Encyclopedia Updated, p. 120.
  2. "Official Greg Dialogue", post 12749. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  3. "Chat with Greg Farshtey", post 11620029. LEGO Message Boards. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  4. "Chat with Greg Farshtey", post 14143079. LEGO Message Boards. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  5. "Official Greg Discussion", post 2331. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  6. "Official Greg Discussion", post 1468. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  7. "Official Greg Discussion", post 990. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  8. "Official Greg Discussion", post 994. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  9. "Chat with Greg Farshtey", post 14623920. LEGO Message Boards. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  10. "Official Greg Discussion", post 4008. BZPower Forums. (archived on greg.thegreatarchives.com)
  11. "Kanoka Disk - Mask of Power Chart." Encyclopedia Updated, p. 53.
  12. "Chapter 3." The Mutran Chronicles.
  13. The Legend Continues.
  14. "Chapter 5." Dark Destiny. BIONICLE Legends 2, p. 66.
  15. "LEGO Headgear, Mask, Soft Foam, Bionicle Toa Hordika Nokama." Bricklink.

Notes

  1. The pronunciation provided in Encyclopedia Updated is ROW, but RAOW is written here instead since it's less ambiguous.

See Also