Vortixx

Vortixx were the primary inhabitants of Xia. They were tall, lean and powerful beings which wore black and silver armor. Their society was matriarchal, dominated by the female Vortixx. The male Vortixx were forced to work in the darkest and dirtiest locations and jobs, and were not allowed to leave the island. Every Vortixx must climb up "The Mountain" once in his or her lifetime. Those who came down alive are honored with superior jobs. Those who came down alone or have sacrificed their partners to the mountain simply for victory were praised for their ruthlessness and are deemed true Vortixx. One of the most famous Vortixx was Roodaka.

History
The Vortixx were designed by the Great Beings of Spherus Magna, and brought into being by Mata Nui to live inside of his body. Their initial function was 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. However, 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 became 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.

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 male Vortixx escape the island to seek other fortunes, many often turning up on Stelt or in wandering bands of rogues.

Every 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 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 or he was lauded and given great opportunities, as it is believed that they had 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.

Physical Appearance and Characteristics
Vortixx were tall 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, had natural protodermic armor grafted genetically to their bodies. Many also had their claws specially modified for defensive use; Roodaka, for example, had developed her claws to catch Rhotuka spinners fired at her.

A typical Vortixx was every inch an opportunistic trader, always looking for the profit. They typically does not seek for control over large groups, but rather seeks wealth and personal glory.

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

Known Vortixx

 * Roodaka
 * Unknown male Vortixx (Roodaka's partner)
 * An unknown male Vortixx killed by The Shadowed One in Destiny War.
 * Unknown Vortixx that was turned into the golden skinned being



Vortixx