Rahkshi

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The Rahkshi. Clockwise from upper right: Panrahk, Kurahk, Vorahk (in far background), Turahk, Lerahk, and Guurahk.

Rahkshi are a species of creatures in the Lego Bionicle storyline, "sons of Makuta" controlled by slug-like creatures called Kraata.

[edit] Overview

When a Kraata, a slug-like creature made from Makuta's evil essence, is exposed to energized protodermis, it dies and mutates into inanimate Rahkshi armor. A second Kraata of the same power can then enter the armor and control it. A Rahkshi's power is at least equal to a Stage-6 Kraata's and likely even greater, though it is severely weakened when separated from the staff that it wields. Rahkshi can also shift into a flight mode, but this ability is used for transport as opposed to combat.

Rahkshi are semi-humanoid in appearance, and stand approximately 8 feet tall. They typically stand in a hunched position, making them appear shorter. They are unusual in having a head that splits open, revealing the Kraata (the set version's head does not split open).

When Rahkshi have no mission from Makuta to fulfill, they act as especially violent and dangerous beasts. But with direction and guidance from Makuta, they have power enough to overtake even the Toa Nuva. Their violent nature makes even Makuta reluctant to send them out, as he knows they will destroy anything in their path.

The Rahkshi cower under the full glare of Toa Takanuva's transformation (Scene taken from Mask of Light).

Just like Kraata, there are 42 types of Rakhshi. The best known of these (and the only ones named) are the six who Makuta sent to find and take the Mask of Light: Turahk, Guurahk, Lerahk, Panrahk, Vorahk, and Kurahk. Together, these six were responsible for heavily damaging the villages of Onu-Koro and Ko-Koro and completely destroying Ta-Koro; Lerahk also poisoned Toa Tahu and Turahk killed Jaller before the Rahkshi were destroyed by Toa Takanuva. After that, Jaller was brought back to life by Takutanuva. Makuta probably selected these six as a symbolic attack on the Principles of the Matoran; for instance, Ta-Matoran follow the Principle of Courage, which is countered by Turahk's Fear (See "Beliefs" under Bionicle society for more on the Principles). Later, on the island of Voya Nui, the Mask of Life brought the memory of Turahk to life to face Jaller in battle. As part of a test of Jaller's resolve, it was used to embody his fear, and was destroyed when he seemingly lost control of his electrical powers and killed the Kraata within. The horror of this brutal action was multiplied as the Turahk became an illusory Kopaka Nuva.

Kurahk snarls menancingly at Takua during the Rahkshi assault on Onu-Koro (Scene taken from Mask of Light)

A thousand years prior, there were a number of Rahkshi in the city of Metru Nui; while searching for the Vahi Mask of Time, Makuta summoned every Rahkshi in the city to attack the time mutant Voporak. While the entire army of Rahkshi was aged to death by Voporak's defensive field, they caused the distraction needed for Makuta and Toa Vakama to slip away unnoticed. It was here that Vakama learned of the Rahkshi's connection to Makuta.

[edit] Rahkshi Bios

Turahk (Fear)
Turahk is the Master of Fear. Using his staff, Turahk can induce anything from slight unease to sheer terror in his foes. A being struck by the blast will either run away in panic or remain rooted to the spot in sheer terror. Turahk's power is particularly disturbing to the Toa Nuva, heroes that have rarely known fear.

Guurahk (Disintegration)
Guurahk is one of the most cunning of the team. When he uses his tool, a web of cracks appears in the target, and eventually it collapses to the ground. But the staff would be purely nothing without Guurahk's skill at divining weaknesses - he's able to "see" the stress point in a structure or a foe's weakness, and target it immediately. Guurahk's staff can shoot a cone of dark energy, disintegrating whatever it hits.

Lerahk (Poison)
The tip of his staff can poison anything - plants, animals, soil, or any foe he might choose. Unlike Kurahk and Turahk, his power does not work over a distance - the staff must be in physical contact with the target. He is not the smartest of the Rahkshi, but his power is enough to destroy things with ease. He is also very patient, and will wait for great periods of time until his enemy slips up.

Panrahk (Fragmentation)
This serpent's Staff of Explosions can send a "bomb" through the ground and air, and cause it to explode on command. He is so powerful that the ground under him cracks as he walks, in compliance to his explosive, violent nature.

Vorahk (Hunger)
Stealthy and ruthless in equal measure, Vorahk uses his Staff of Hunger to suck the strength away from his enemies, and use it himself. It is this method of draining that makes him as fierce as he is.

Kurahk (Anger)
Though he is fast and strong enough to down any foe, Kurahk perfers to turn his opponents against each other. His staff can fire rings of anger, causing the target to be consumed by rage. Even the Toa Nuva are not immune to its power, which magnifies any difference of opinion into an all-out physical conflict. Kurahk is also a victim of anger, however; his ability to become reckless is easily triggered, and the other Rahkshi always have opinions conflicting with his. He seems to kill Matoran to take out his frustration. His Kraata form is just as angry when exposed.

[edit] Rahkshi Kaita

Rahkshi Kaita Vo

Rahkshi Kaita Za

Like Toa and Bohrok-Kal, Rahkshi have the ability to merge into Rahkshi Kaita. In this case, a Kaita not only has the powers of the three Rahkshi that formed it, but a unique fourth power. Similarly to the Bohrok-Kal, the Kaita takes its name after the dominant Kraata. So far only two kinds of Kaita have been seen:

• Rahkshi Kaita Vo: This Rahkshi Kaita is a powerful fusion of Vorahk, Panrahk and Guurahk. It has the power to absorb the energy of its foes.
• Rahkshi Kaita Za: This Rahkshi Kaita is a powerful fusion of the Rahkshi Turahk, Lerahk and Kurahk. It has the power to turn itself into a huge cyclone, destroying everything in its path.

In a Japanese issue of LEGO Magazine, a Rahkshi Kaita featured was created using Vorahk, Turahk, and Guurahk. It is unknown if there is a Lerahk/Panrahk/Kurahk Rahkshi Kaita model.

[edit] List of Rahkshi

Although only six kinds of Rahkshi have been given names, there are a total of 42 kinds in existence. Here is a list of each Rahkshi power and its colors:

[edit] Trivia

• When the Toa Hagah were mutated by Roodaka, she gave them Rahkshi-like heads and staffs as a kind of sick joke. She called their resulting forms "Rahaga", as a mixture of the names "Rahkshi" and "Hagah".
• All six named breeds of Rahkshi appear in the game Bionicle Heroes, but the game is not canon.

[edit] External link

• Rahkshi article at Bionicle Sector 01 Wiki