The snake venom talon1, also called the venom spear2, 3 or paralyzing venom spear2, 4, 5, 6, was a weapon used by Vastus. Presumably, this weapon originally had jungle elemental power during the Core War, but it was depleted long before 1 AR.7 It had a scythe-like blade on one end and a Thornax launcher on the other. It could instantly paralyze a foe using venom extracted from talon snakes5, 8, after which the weapon was named, and after which Vastus's armor was styled.9 Vastus was skilled with any weapon2, 4, 6, but he was most dangerous with his snake venom talon and Thornax launcher2, 4, which filled even bone hunters with fear.3 Like most Glatorian weapons, it had a core of bone or claw.10, 11
Mata Nui used the Mask of Life to revert Vastus's well-worn snake venom talon to pristine condition. According to him, this was possible because it contained once-living bone or claw.10, 11, note 1 At the same time, Mata Nui also gave Vastus the elemental power of air. Mata Nui let Vastus think that he was just restoring the weapon's original power, but in reality, he gave Vastus himself the elemental power, and the weapon was just the focus.12
Notes
- Although the venom would give Vastus an unfair advantage in a Glatorian arena match, the weapons that were allowed in a match were determined beforehand. For example, Vastus might have been allowed to use the spear but not trigger the venom.13
- Vastus extracted the venom for this weapon from talon snakes, which were common around Tesara. This species of snake was named after the talon-shaped growth on the tip of its tail.14, 9, 15
- It was always called by the same name, even when it had no elemental power.16