Kanoka

Kanoka disks were round disks of protodermis used for both sport and defense in the city of Metru Nui. Kanoka disks were made using liquid protodermis that had been purified in Ga-Metru. They were made in every Metru of the city. Each had a special power and was stamped with a three-digit code. The first digit represented the Metru where it was made, the second its power, and the third its level of power.²

Notes

The Matoran of Metru Nui used special disks for sport and defense called Kanoka disks. These powerful disks were thrown or hurled from powerful disk launchers. Each disk had a three-digit code identifying where it was made, what power it had, and its power level.³

Kanoka disks were forged from protodermis and could be found all over Metru Nui. Disks could be thrown or, more often, hurled from special disk launchers. Kanoka disks were made in every metru of the city, and every Matoran knew how to use them. Kanoka disks were primarily used for sport and defense. Matoran liked to try and ride the disks through chutes that criss-crossed the city. These disks were also the raw material from which Masks of Power were created.⁴

Each Kanoka disk had a three-digit code. The first digit referred to where the disk was made. The metru of origin determined what special flight abilities the disk had. The second digit identified the power of the disk. The third digit identified the power level of the disk and was the most important part of the code. Power levels ranged from 1 to 9. The higher the number, the greater the power of the disk. Level 8 and 9 disks were very rare and considered to be extremely valuable. The codes for the metru were: ⁴

The metru codes were: (1) Ta-Metru, (2) Ga-Metru, (3) Po-Metru, (4) Ko-Metru, (5) Le-Metru, and (6) Onu-Metru. The codes for the disk effects on targets were: (1) reconstitutes at random, (2) freezes, (3) weakens, (4) removes poison, (5) enlarges, (6) shrinks, (7) regenerates, (8) teleports, and (9) time control.⁴

Although Kanoka disks were used for games and sports all over Metru Nui, the sports had a serious side to them. Matoran competed to see who had the best and most powerful disk. The winning disks were forged into Masks of Power.⁴

Kanoka were excellent tools for defense. When a Kanoka disks struck its target, its power was activated. For example, tossing a freeze disks at a Morbuzakh vine would cause the vine to ice over. Matoran used the disks mainly against Morbuzakh plants and Rahi beasts that escaped the Onu-Metru Archives.⁴

Some Matoran devoted their lives to searching for and collecting Kanoka disks. Since high power level disks were so rare, there was enormous competition to find one. The Vahki force kept a close eye on disk collectors to make sure they did not break laws in their pursuit of the valuable items.⁴

A Kanoka disk made in Ko-Metru had the power to dodge obstacles after being launched.⁵

The first digit of a Kanoka disk code identified which metru the disk was made in. The metru of origin determined how the disk flew. The codes were: (1) Ta-Metru, (2) Ga-Metru, (3) Po-Metru, (4) Ko-Metru, (5) Le-Metru, and (6) Onu-Metru.^{note 1} The second digit identified the power of the disk: (1) reconstitutes at random, (2) freeze, (3) weaken, (4) remove poison, (5) enlarge, (6) shrink, (7) regenerate, and (8) teleport. The third digit identified the power level of the disk. Power levels ranged from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest.⁵

Matoran all over Metru Nui used Kanoka disks for sport and defense.⁶

Each Kanoka disk possessed one of eight special powers that were triggered when the disk struck its target.⁷

Disks were called Kanoka in the Matoran language. Kanoka were a common sight in Metru Nui. They were created in every metru and used primarily for sport, as well as for defense against Rahi. Disks found to be of the right purity and power level were forged into Masks of Power.¹

Each Kanoka disk had a three-digit code on it. The first digit identified where it was made, the second its power, and third its power level. Ko-Metru disks were made to swerve at high speed to avoid any obstacle.¹

On Metru Nui, Matoran used their Kanoka disks for sport. Later on, they used them for holding off the Morbuzakh plant when it attacked.^{8, 9, 10, 11}

Matoran throughout Metru Nui used Kanoka disks for sport and as defense against Rahi beasts and the powerful Morbuzakh plant.¹²

Kanoka disks were easy to find in Metru Nui, since every Matoran used them for sport.¹³

Only Great Disks possessed enough raw energy to have a power level of 9.¹³ Level 9 was the highest known concentration of energy possible in a Kanoka disk.¹³

Power code 1 was able to reconstitute whatever it touched at random. It was a dangerous disk to use because it was just as apt to make a threat more dangerous than less.¹³

One of the major discoveries to come out of the Ko-Metru Knowledge Towers was the means to create Kanoka disks from liquid protodermis. Working together with protodermis labs in Ga-Metru, scholars perfected the process, and the Kanoka disk rapidly became a part of daily life in Metru Nui.¹⁴

Kanoka were round disks of protodermis, each with a special power. Each disk was stamped with a symbol of the metru in which it was made and a three-digit code. The first digit related to the metru in which the disk was made, the second its power, and the third its power level. Kanoka disks had many uses, namely sport, defense, and mask making. Disks were used in all sort of games in Metru Nui, including disk surfing, chute boarding, and other sports. Matoran also used disks to fight off Rahi beasts and other threats.¹⁴

On Metru Nui, Kanohi Masks of Power were made from Kanoka disks. Kanoka with power levels 1 to 6 were made into Matoran masks, because the power leeched away during the mask-making process. Power level 7 disks were made into Noble Masks of Power. Power level 8 disks were made into Great Masks of Power like those worn by Toa. The Great Disks were the only Kanoka with a power level of 9 known to exist.¹⁴

Kanoka disks were made by pouring purified liquid protodermis into special molds. Often this process was repeated several times before the disk was pronounced done. The nature and level of the disk's power was determined by the properties of the protodermis used, its purity, and the skill of the Matoran making it. Even as of story year 2004, Matoran were still unable to predict just how powerful a disk would be or what power it would have. The metru in which a disk was made determined the flight characteristics of the disk. During the disk-making process, multiple Kanoka could be combined to form disks with totally new powers. In some cases, disk makers knew what the combinations would result in. Other times, it was a case of trial and error.¹⁴

In addition to being launched and thrown, Kanoka were built into many devices in Metru Nui. Disks of levitation and increase weight were incorporated into Le-Matoran airships, and disks of speed into some ground vehicles. Some newer buildings even had disks of regeneration built into them, so that with the tug of a chain any damage to the structure could be repaired instantly.¹⁴

Kanoka toss was a highly dangerous street sport played in Metru Nui. One player hurled a Kanoka disk with all his might, while another attempted to catch it. The trick was to catch the disk after it had expended so much momentum that doing so would not trigger its power. This required split-second timing and a lot of courage.¹⁵

There were three tiers of akilini competition. The lowest rung featured play with power level 1-6 disks, the middle rung with level 7 disks, and the best players were allowed to compete with level 8 disks.¹⁵

Akilini teams were required by the rules to use only Kanoka disks made in their own metru in tournament play. In particular, non-Po-Matoran using Po-Metru disks was forbidden, as Po-Metru disks were widely considered to be the best in competition. Winning teams' disks were immediately transported to Ta-Metru to be turned into Kanohi masks. This was considered to be a great honor by Matoran athletes.¹⁵

On Metru Nui, Matoran with serious disagreements were known to engage in disk dueling.¹⁵

Kanoka disks were made from purified liquid protodermis. Kanoka disks carved from solid protodermis would have no powers at all.¹⁵

On Metru Nui, forgery was an uncommon crime, but a dangerous one. A small group of criminals in Po-Metru attempted to pass off disks carved from solid protodermis as Kanoka disks. Purchasers discovered they had disks with no powers at all, often too late to save themselves from the Rahi they were trying to use the disks on. This ring was smashed by the Vahki, although there was concern that others might spring up to take its place as of mid-story year 2004.¹⁵

Molten protodermis was the raw material that was fed into a forge to be shaped into disks, and later into masks, if the grade of disk was high enough.¹⁶

Vakama once launched a combination of weakness and reconstitute at random disks to create an explosion.¹⁶

There were eight basic Kanoka powers: enlarge, freeze, reconstitutes at random, regenerate, remove poison, shrink, teleport, and weaken. These eight powers could be combined in various ways to create new powers. A Kanoka's power and level of power was determined by the properties and purity of the protodermis used and the skill of the Matoran making the disk. The Metru in which it was made also determined the special flight properties of the disk.²

Kanoka disks were used in various Matoran sports, including Akilini, and for defense against Rahi. Disks were also made into Kanohi masks. Disks with a power level of 6 or less became Matoran masks and had no power. Disks with a power level of 7 became Noble Masks, with a significant amount of power. Disks with a power level of 8 became Great Masks, with an enormous amount of power. The only disks ever known to have a power level of 9 were the six Great Disks, which were used by Vakama to create the Kanohi Vahi.²

In addition to being launched and thrown, Kanoka disks were also used in other ways in Metru Nui. Levitation and increase weight disks were incorporated into the design of airships, and regeneration disks were built into buildings.²

Each Kanoka disk had a three-digit code, and the first two digits of the code indicated its metru of origin and its power, or the effect of the disk on its target. The possible powers that Kanoka had were: (1) reconstitutes at random, (2) freezes, (3) weakens, (4) removes poison, (5) enlarges, (6) shrinks, (7) regenerates, and (8) teleports.^{5, 17}

A trader on Stelt once had a cracked Kanoka disk in his shop.¹⁸

The Kanoka blade was a Xian weapon made from forging a Kanoka disk into a blade which could grant powers similar to a Kanohi mask.¹⁹

It is not known if Kanoka disks were in use outside of Metru Nui, or if the mask-making process elsewhere involved making them from Kanoka disks.²⁰

It took longer to make Kanoka disks of higher power levels.²¹ The skill used in making a Kanoka determined its power level, which in turn determined what kind of Kanohi could be made with it. If one tried to forge a Kanohi directly from raw protodermis, then the mask might have ended up with next to no power, wasting the effort. This is why Kanohi were forged from Kanoka.²²

It was possible to mold a Kanohi back into a Kanoka.²³ However, no one ever tried to do it.²⁴

Matoran on Metru Nui sometimes rode on their Kanoka disks in the chutes, though that was frowned upon.²⁵ Typically a Vahki squad would come and put a stop to it.²⁶

Kanoka existed in locations outside of Metru Nui where the necessary materials were present.²⁷

Rhotuka could be stronger than Kanoka because Rhotuka could be charged while Kanoka have a set power level.²⁸

A Kanoka with power level 1 or 2 was close to powerless.²⁹

Matoran on Metru Nui carried Kanoka for personal protection. Even the Vahki could not be everywhere, and if a Rahi or a Morbuzakh vine suddenly appeared, they needed to be able to defend themselves until the Vahki arrived.³⁰

A Kanoka could not affect anything it could not physically strike. If someone used a Kakama Nuva to vibrate and allow a Kanoka to pass through his body, the Kanoka would have no effect.³¹

There was no limit to how many Kanoka could be combined into a single disk.³²

Matoran didn't combine disks with different power levels.³³

The first digit of a combined disk would change to whatever Metru the disks were combined in.³⁴

Combining two disks and then combining that disk with a third power wouldn't necessarily yield the same power as if all three were combined at the same time.³⁵

Two combined disks would be the same size as an unmerged disk.³⁶

Kanoka disks could likely be infected.³⁷

Kanoka were made by heating and cooling purified liquid protodermis in a mold.³⁸

After being launched, Kanoka disks could be retrieved with their powers intact and used again.^{39, 40}

When riding Kanoka through chutes, Matoran rode them as in this picture or by standing on them.⁴¹

A Matoran who launched a teleport Kanoka could not control where the target went to.⁴²

If a Matoran got hit with a weaken Kanoka, he would probably lie on the ground exhausted.⁴³

Regeneration Kanoka were used to repair damage to buildings and other structures.⁴⁴

The poison removal power of a Kanoka did not just remove poison temporarily; when the disk power faded, there was no poison to return.⁴⁵

The person launching a Kanoka did not control its effects. The shrink disk's rate of shrinkage depended on its power level.⁴⁶

If Matoran were to be poisoned, it would usually be by Rahi, which is what the removes poison Kanoka would be for.⁴⁷

When Kanoka were launched and used, most were retrieved for later use.⁴⁸

As far as Greg knows, Kanoka did not need time to recharge after being used.⁴⁹

The area of effect of a Kanoka when it struck something was determined by its power level.⁵⁰

In Metru Nui, the poison that removes poison Kanoka were used for came from Rahi, usually.⁵¹

Kanoka disks were readily available all over Metru Nui.⁵²

Basic Powers¹⁴

There were eight basic Kanoka disk powers.¹⁴

Reconstitutes at random

Temporarily scrambled the molecules of the target, resulting in a new shape.¹⁴ Scrambled the molecules of the target, resulting in either positive or negative changes.⁷ The scope of the change was based on the power level of the disk.⁵³ The effect faded eventually, and the duration was determined in part by the power level of the disk.⁵⁴ It scrambled molecules instantly, not over a period of time or with a delayed effect.⁵⁵ When a disk with this power struck its target, it probably bounced off of it (instead of going through it).⁵⁶

Freezes

Covered the target in a thick coating of ice.¹⁴ Covered the target with a coating of solid ice.⁷

Weakens

Reduced the strength of a living or nonliving target. Could be used to bring down structures.¹⁴ Lessened the strength of a target creature or object.⁷ The intensity and duration of the effect was tied to the power level of the disk.⁵⁷

Removes poison

Cured the effects of toxic substances.¹⁴ Erased the presence of poison or venom in the target and healed the effects of it.⁷

Enlarges

Caused the target to grow. Rate of growth was tied to the power level of the disk.¹⁴ Caused the target to grow rapidly. Mazimum size depended on the power level of the disk.⁷ The effect was permanent.⁵⁸

Shrinks

Caused the target to reduce in size. Rate of shrinkage was tied to the power level of the disk.¹⁴ Caused the target to decrease in size rapidly. Level of shrinkage depended on the power level of the disk.⁷ The effect was permanent.⁵⁸

Regenerates

Could be used to repair a target, normally a structure or piece of equipment.¹⁴ Rebuilt damaged structures and items.⁷ The extent of damage that could be repaired was tied to the power level of the disk.⁵⁹

Teleports

Transported the target to another location. Range of teleportation was tied to the power level of the disk.¹⁴ Caused the target to dematerialize and rematerialize at a random location. Distance of teleportation depended on the power level of the disk.⁷

Flight Characteristics

Kanoka disks had different flight properties depending on the Metru where they were made.

• Kanoka from Ta-Metru were stronger and could knock obstacles out of the way.^{5, 17, 4}
• Kanoka from Ga-Metru could change direction in mid-air, guided by the thrower's thoughts.^{5, 17, 4}
• Kanoka from Po-Metru deflected other disks from their course.^{5, 17, 4}
• Kanoka from Ko-Metru dodged obstacles to get to their target.^{5, 17, 4}
• Kanoka from Le-Metru flew further.^{5, 17, 4}
• Kanoka from Onu-Metru always returned to the thrower if diverted from their course.^{5, 17, 4}

Kanohi-Kanoka Power Chart

Below is a list of Kanohi and the Kanoka disks used to create them, where the combination is known.

Other Information

• Greg Farshtey had no patterns in mind when assigning Kanohi recipes.⁶²
• The 2004 Style Guide mistakenly swaps the flight properties of Ga-Metru and Ko-Metru disks. This error is not present in the "KANOKA OVERVIEW" PowerPoint presentation included with it.