Vortixx

The Vortixx are a race native to the island of Xia, though over the years, they have spread further out across the Matoran Universe.

History
The Vortixx were designed by the Great Beings of Spherus Magna, and brought into being by the Great Spirit Mata Nui to live inside of his body. Their initial function may have been to repair internal damage done to the mechanical innards of the robot, but due to numerous glitches in the activation sequences of the robot, they obtained enough sapience to have free will and independent mentalities.

Using the inherent knowledge they had concerning weapons and construction, their home island of Xia developed more quickly than other areas, reaching a fluent industrial stage when other lands such as Stelt still consisted mainly of warring clans.

After all the weapon production, the Xians became paranoid and power-mad, and began constructing vast amounts of war machines. Most of Xia's resources were drained for this project, and the land underneath the Vortixx cities is now mostly barren. The Vortixx race quickly became the foremost developer of weapons and machines in the Matoran Universe, becoming profitable from their sales to warring groups across the ages. Many Vortixx have often taken sides as soldiers in such conflicts, but those who actually design or foresee construction of weapons usually remain propitiously neutral. Many groups have attempted to take over Xia since its emergence as an industrial power, due to desires of monopolizing its manufacturing proficiency and stores of weapons, but each time they have been defeated, either by the Vortixx race's own defense systems or by another, larger group trying to protect its own potential interests.

After Teridax's death, hundreds of Vortixx died for unknown causes. The survivors evacuated to Spherus Magna.

Culture
Vortixx have an immensely complicated culture, only portions of which have ever been revealed to outsiders. Due to governmental issues in the early history of Xia after the banishment of Pridak, the Xian society is entirely matriarchal. The rulership of Xia is passed through the female line, the Queen rules absolutely, etc. Male Vortixx are seen as a disgrace, and are given the nasty, filthy jobs in the Vortixx hierarchy, and have almost no chance of rising to any sort of high position on Xia. Because of this, many full-grown male Vortixx escape the island to seek other fortunes, many often turning up on Stelt or in wandering bands of rogues.

Every young Vortixx must go through a dangerous and complicated trial to be approved for any advancement in the Xian society. The most common, and therefore the most well-known trial is the climb up the Mountain. Long ago, on a visit with Pridak, Makuta Mutran left an experiement of his on Xia: a savage living rock. Gorging itself on livestock, landscape, and anything else that got too close to it, including unwary Vortixx, it grew into The Mountain, a massive clump of living, flesh-eating rock. The Mountain's structure causes the plants that grow on it to mutate into dangerous, acidic forms, and the skies above the upper portions are said to rain fire; all the better for a challenging trial. The Climb up the Mountain trial involves two Vortixx; the group usually contains at least one female. The two must make their way up the Mountain, with at least one witness watching at the start to testify that the group did in fact do the trial instead of dodging and simply saying that they did, and then return alive in order to pass. If the Vortixx both return, they are congratulated and each given a small promotion. If only one returns, she is lauded and given great opportunities, as it is believed that she has what it takes to survive in the world. However, in recent years, there has been a spree of murdering trial partners as the trial comes to the end, in order to receive the special rewards, and this has caused an exponential rise in the amount of Vortixx that are scheming and ambitious, as the most conniving would obviously be the first to act when sudden ambush of an ally is involved.

Appearance and Traits
Vortixx are humanoid in appearance, but with certain reptilian characteristics, such as claws and tapered cranial surfaces. The more high-ranking females usually cover up the odd shape of their pate with elaborate headdresses. They, like nearly every other being native to the Matoran Universe, have natural protodermic armor grafted to their bodies. Many also have their claws specially modified for defensive use; Roodaka, for example, has developed her claws to catch Rhotuka spinners fired at her.

A typical Vortixx is every inch an opportunistic trader, always looking for the profit. She typically does not seek for control over large groups, but rather seeks wealth and personal glory. However, nearly all Vortixx, male or female, are intelligent and calculating, and seek for their own power in any situation, whether or not it yet would directly involve them. This has caused several Vortixx to be executed by the Brotherhood of Makuta for performing actions or going places specifically part of Makuta business.

Known Vortixx

 * Roodaka
 * Unknown male Vortixx (Roodaka's partner)
 * An unknown male Vortixx killed by The Shadowed One in Destiny War.
 * Unknown Vortixx that became part of the Golden Skinned Being via Energized Protodermis fusion.

Trivia

 * Vortixx have the capability and mental discipline to use Kanohi; however, few feel the need to wear one, mainly for egotistical reasons.



Vortixx