Storyline and Theories Contest #4: Xian Weapons! was a community-run canonization contest held on BZPower in 2008. Participants in the contest were asked to describe and design one of the many weapons that might be produced by the island of Xia, a place within the BIONICLE universe that was known for manufacturing weapons used throughout the Matoran universe. The contest consisted of three categories: art, description, and MOC. The art category consisted of three sub-categories: hand-drawn, computer, and other. Five winners were selected for each category (in art, two each for hand-drawn and computer and one for other). BIONICLE author Greg Farshtey accepted the functionality and visual depictions of the 15 winning entries into BIONICLE canon.
Results
The following weapons were announced as the winners of the contest on September 15, 2008:
- Description
- 1st place: Griffin Gauntlet by Toa of Kenn
- 2nd place: Firework Revolver by Palutena the Terrible
- 3rd place: Kanoka Blade by Electric Turahk
- 4th place: Eccentric Rock by Bioran23
- 5th place: Electro Chute Blade by AAarbuck
- Art
- Hand-drawn
- 1st place: "Nihu-Motara" Energy Siphon Blade by -Wrinkledlion X-
- 2nd place: Impact Crystal Launcher by Triggy
- Computer
- 1st place: Earth Claw by Mihunai
- 2nd place: Lightstone Rifle by bonesiii
- Other
- 1st place: The Devastator by 55555
- Hand-drawn
- MOC
- 1st place: Vortixx Rhotuka Battle Axe by Sisen
- 2nd place: Hagah Plasma Cannon by Surprise (Bundalings)
- 3rd place: Twilight Blade by Nynrah Ghost
- 3rd place: Judgement Cannon by BCii
- 5th place: Xian Energy Extraction Rifle by Dorek
Each entry included a summary which described the functionality and backstory of the weapon within the BIONICLE storyline. According to Greg Farshtey, he looked over the winning entries mainly for the weapons, how they worked, and how they were made, and those are the only parts to be considered canon (not the backstory given alongside them).1 Greg also later remarked that the name of the Nihu-Motara Energy Siphon Blade was never canonized, only its functionality.2