Rise of the Makuta!

Rise of the Makuta!
Magazine Article
Issue	January-February 2008

Rise of the Makuta! was an article in the January-February 2008 Brickmaster edition of the LEGO Magazine. The article provided info about the Makuta in the form of questions and answers.

Contents

The Brotherhood of Makuta has launched their most daring plan yet - seizing control of Karda Nui, the core of the universe, and capturing and corrupting the Matoran of Light who live there. The Toa Nuva and their Matoran allies are out to stop them - but who are these Makuta? What can they do? Read on to find the answers...if you dare.

Who are the Makuta?

The Makuta are members of a unique species of shapeshifters in the BIONICLE universe. Although they wear armor, they no longer have physical bodies. Instead, they are just clouds of energy. By changing the shape of their armor, they can change how they look and so trick others.

Originally, the Brotherhood of Makuta was a group of brilliant creators whose role was to bring Rahi beasts - animals, birds, fish, insects, etc. - into being. By adding viruses to vats of protodermis, they could control what kind of Rahi would be created and what it could do. Some were helpful to Matoran, like Ussal crabs. Others were nasty and frightening, intended to keep Matoran away from places that might be dangerous for them. Virtually every Rahi that exists in the universe was created by the Makuta. Later, the Makuta started helping to protect the Matoran in other ways. Each region was assigned a Makuta to watch over it. They did things like crushing the Barraki rebellion and helping to stop the Matoran Civil War in Metru Nui.

Why are the Makuta teamed up with Matoran?

Makuta Vamprah, Chirox, and Antroz were caught out in the open when the Mask of Life was used to bring Mata Nui back from the dead. As a result of the explosion of light and energy, they were blinded. The shadow Matoran act as their "eyes" in combat.

Why did the Makuta turn evil?

For a long time, the Makuta felt that they should be running the universe, not the Great Spirit Mata Nui. After all, they were smarter and more powerful than everyone else, so the rest of the beings in the universe should exist to serve them. Then the Makuta assigned to Metru Nui came up with an incredible plan to overthrow Mata Nui and seize power. Most of the rest of the Brotherhood agreed to follow his plan - those who didn't met with fatal "accidents."

Using a special virus he had created, the Makuta of Metru Nui poisoned Mata Nui and put him into an unending sleep. With him out of the way, the Brotherhood began taking over large portions of the universe, enslaving Matoran, and eliminating anyone who opposed them, including Toa.

What powers do the Makuta have?

The Makuta have many powers that they can use against their enemies. Some of the most important are:

• The ability to create and control darkness
• Shapeshifting
• The ability to create illusions
• The ability to control Rahi beasts
• Teleportation
• Heat vision
• Mind reading and telepathy

And those are just a few - Makuta are some of the most powerful beings in the universe!

Do Makuta have any weaknesses?

Yes. They are vulnerable to light, for one thing. Also, if their armor gets damaged badly enough, their energy will leak out. Without a new body to occupy, that energy will dissipate within weeks and the Makuta will die.

What's a shadow leech?

Makuta are able to turn some of their energy into a solid, worm-like creature called a kraata. By experimenting of kraata, Makuta Chirox was able to create shadow leeches. These creatures can actually drain the light out of anyone they make contact with. Once all light is drained, the victim turns evil and allies with the Makuta.

Shadow leeches have a limited lifespan and, like Makuta, are vulnerable to light.

Are all Makuta basically the same?

No. Different Makuta have different skills and specialties. For example, Antroz is a strategist and an excellent leader; Vamprah is a hunter; and Chirox is an expert at making Rahi beasts. Other Makuta are superior warriors or spies.

External Links

• Rise of the Makuta! LEGO BrickMaster Magazine January-February 2008: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4 (archived on www.biomediaproject.com)