Kanohi

For several species in the Matoran universe, Kanohi - specially-designed masks made from purified metallic protodermis - are an integral part of day-to-day life. Matoran, for example, must wear a Kanohi mask at all times; without one, they will grow weak and eventually fall comatose within a matter of hours.

When forged using rare and sufficiently-purified materials, Kanohi masks can grant their wearers all sorts of powers and abilities if the user is capable of accessing them. If a powered Kanohi is cracked or broken, its power will leak out, causing it to stop working entirely; a few particularly powerful masks may malfunction if damaged. Kanohi are attached to the faces of their wearers via a magnetic connection.

Properties

Power levels

Kanohi masks come in several different types: powerless, Noble, Great, and Nuva.

While powerless masks only provide the wearer the small amount of energy needed to prevent the adverse effects of masklessness, all other types of masks grant a specific power to their wearers if they are able to use them. Mask powers can only be accessed by certain species, and even then, require significant amounts of focus, mental discipline, and willpower to activate, often necessitating special training in order to do so.

Noble masks provide minor powers, and are sometimes more limited than their Great counterparts. Great masks offer substantial power, and some beings may choose to predicate their main strategies for battle off of a single Great mask. Nuva masks are special, powerful forms of Noble or Great masks, only usable by beings who have been transformed into Nuva by Energized Protodermis; the abilities these masks provide often have additional advantages and benefits, and can be shared with beings near the user.

Three unique masks sit at a power level above all others: Legendary. These masks control fundamental aspects of the universe - Life, Creation, and Time - and will have devastating to catastrophic results if misused, or worse, broken.

Shapes

Each Kanohi power has a standard "shape" associated with it and its power level (other than powerless). Conventionally, most masks are forged in the shape that matches their power and power level for the sake of quick identification, but a mask can technically be made in a different shape for any number of reasons (for example, to honor an old hero or lost friend, or more nefariously, to hide the mask's true power). Powerless masks are generally forged in one of the standard shapes for their associated power.

Masks may vary from their standard shape in a variety of ways. Some are modified to be better-suited for specific environments, and a number of enhancements (such as scopes or visors) or cosmetic attachments can be added to a mask by a sufficiently-skilled mask maker. Individual mask-makers may also add certain flourishes or personal touches to their work, which in turn may be noticeable to other mask makers. Mask styles may also vary by region.

Most masks (unless modified, painted, etc.) are a dull gray when they are not being worn. When worn, a Kanohi mask will take on the colors of its user.

Kanohi Modifications

See Kanohi Modifications

Other

Over time, Kanohi take on an inactive "imprint" of their wearer's consciousness, which then gradually dissipates when removed. A relatively recently-deceased being can be revived by infusing an imprinted mask with sufficient amounts of energy, although this process is almost unheard of and is considered by most to be no more than a legend.

In the Doronai Nui

See Doronai Nui/Kanohi

List of Kanohi

Legendary Masks

These three unique Kanohi each control a fundamental aspect of the Matoran universe. Due to their immense complexity and incredible power, they have not yet been added to the Doronai Nui, but will be present in future versions of the system.

• Arta, Mask of Creation
• Ignika, Mask of Life
• Vahi, Mask of Time

Eclectic Masks

These masks each have the ability to grant their wearer a variety of powers, and defy easy categorization.

• Artamu, Mask of Adaptation
• Faxon, Mask of Kindred
• Kahmutil, Mask of Conjuring
• Mahiki, Mask of Illusion
• Mutuku, Mask of Emulation

Elemental Masks

These special masks give the unique benefit of granting their user an elemental power, regardless of their Tribe (or if they were a member of a Tribe to begin with).

• Akikoki, Mask of Ice
• Asodexi, Mask of Sand
• Avohkii, Mask of Light
• Botroi, Mask of Plantlife
• Ceauti, Mask of Psionics
• Efotaui, Mask of Fire
• Fedaki, Mask of Iron
• Gakaui, Mask of Water
• Garai, Mask of Gravity
• Kafai, Mask of Magnetism
• Kaketo, Mask of Elemental Energy
• Kapoi, Mask of Stone
• Kraahkan, Mask of Shadow
• Lehrodi, Mask of Air
• Radavoi, Mask of Lightning
• Stadehi, Mask of Sound
• Suiphui, Mask of Plasma
• Uwonui, Mask of Earth

Mental Masks

These masks allow their users to tap into a special set of mental skills, such as reading minds or telekinesis.

• Atuma, Mask of Charisma
• Cetuha, Mask of Mental Shielding
• Ceveli, Mask of Memory
• Isima, Mask of Possibilities
• Kamawai, Mask of Rebounding
• Komau, Mask of Mind Control
• Koramau, Mask of Rahi Control
• Kurzika, Mask of Anger
• Matatai, Mask of Bravery
• Matatu, Mask of Telekinesis
• Oroha, Mask of Messages
• Rau, Mask of Translation
• Turama, Mask of Fear
• Ururau, Mask of Incomprehension
• Vaamaku, Mask of Psychometry
• Valumi, Mask of Clairvoyance
• Zatth, Mask of Summoning

Physical Masks

These masks give the user physical advantages that they would not normally have in combat or exploration.

• Awai, Mask of Growth
• Calix, Mask of Ability
• Huna, Mask of Concealment
• Kadin, Mask of Flight
• Kakama, Mask of Speed
• Kaukau, Mask of Water Breathing
• Kualsi, Mask of Quick Travel
• Miru, Mask of Levitation
• Onweku, Mask of Intangibility
• Pakari, Mask of Strength
• Pehkui, Mask of Shrinking
• Volitak, Mask of Stealth

Pseudo-Elemental Masks

These masks allow the user to wield limited, but specialized elemental powers.

• Lezemi, Mask of Vacuum
• Makoh, Mask of Frost
• Olavu, Mask of Pathfinding
• Suletu, Mask of Telepathy
• Whethron, Mask of Seismic Sense

Pseudo-Legendary Masks

These masks are immensely powerful, and immensely rare. Their abilities dance close to the Legendary Powers of Life, Time, and Creation, or are simply too powerful to be made carelessly. The knowledge and ability to craft these Kanohi is a deeply-guarded secret. In the context of the Doronai Nui, these masks are generally not obtained in the course of normal gameplay, and are not recommended for new players or new GMs due to their complexity and potentially campaign-derailing power level.

• Olmak, Mask of Dimensional Gates

Sensory Masks

These masks aid in heightening the user’s senses to make them more apt to their surroundings.

• Akaku, Mask of Piercing Vision
• Arthron, Mask of Sonar
• Elda, Mask of Detection
• Rode, Mask of Truth
• Runai, Mask of Analysis
• Ruru, Mask of Night Vision
• Sanok, Mask of Accuracy
• Waheldu, Mask of Sensory Aptitude

Support Masks

These masks are specially made to protect, heal, or give passive benefits to the user in their journey.

• Amatkau, Mask of Slingshot
• Axopakar, Mask of Durability
• Gurakara, Mask of Disintegration
• Hau, Mask of Shielding
• Kiril, Mask of Regeneration
• Konomau, Mask of Biomechanics
• Kualhai, Mask of Shield Surge
• Lerkamoa, Mask of Poison
• Rupanu, Mask of Shattering
• Urmukari, Mask of Scrambling

Transient Masks

These masks deal with matters of body and spirit, allowing their wearer to tread the boundaries of life and death, and beyond.

• Amana, Mask of Healing
• Avsa, Mask of Hunger
• Iden, Mask of Astral Projection
• Kakamana, Mask of Quick Healing
• Mohtri, Mask of Duplication
• Tryna, Mask of Reanimation
• Urafowa, Mask of Undeath
• Urleh, Mask of Antidote
• Vahmu, Mask of Aging

Uncategorized

These masks have not yet been added to the Doronai Nui, but will be present in future versions of the system.

• Crast, Mask of Repulsion
• Eyi, Mask of Fusion
• Felnas, Mask of Disruption
• Ikuvora, Mask of Scavenging
• Jutlin, Mask of Corruption
• Kabomo, Mask of Tracking
• Mohtrek, Mask of Time Duplication
• Olisi, Mask of Alternate Futures
• Shelek, Mask of Silence
• Vorthron, Mask of Radar
• Mask of Light and Shadow
• Mask of Mutation