Before reading, one must understand that in these times, the Matoran live in untold trillions, no galactic census can be made due to the ever growing and dying populace of the Imperium of Matoran. Though, all 18 elements exist to some degree in these times.
Codex 2: Ta-Koro Guard
The forces of the Toa were quite limited even as they numbered close to the millions. Thus, the Ta-Koro Guard became the . They did not need the strict recruitment process of the Toa, for of you could hurl a disk, you were fit to fight and die for the Great Spirit. The Guard contains seemingly infinite Matoran, numbering at least in the trillions across Matoran-kind’s vast territory.
Though they are called the Ta-Koro Guard, this is only to recognize what is now an ancient group of Terran Matoran that followed the Great Spirit. All of these were Ta-Matoran. However, once the Great Crusade to reunite Matoran-Kind kicked off, they quickly extended this to any and all Matoran who were able to hurl a disk.
Coupled with a vast array of vehicles, the Guard is prepared to take on most threats independent of Toa assistance. They are the first, second, third and fourth line of defense against the eldritch horrors they face in the 41st Millenium. If a world within the Imperium of Matoran is under siege, they are the first to respond. They garrison many cultural and strategic points of significance to the Imperium. Many times they occupy a defensive role.
Within their regiments is typically at least one Commissar, who keeps morale in check. If a Matoran thinks for but a second about dashing from battle, he has only to remember of the Commissar’s Cordak Pistol aimed directly at those who lower their disks and dare a retreat without orders. Though it may seem their bark is greater than their bite, these stone faced Matoran(of course when they aren’t Po-Matoran) put proper Po-Matoran to shame. They can and will shoot any who disobey orders, and for a majority of the Guard, this is more than enough.
Though different regiments have different doctrines and appearances, one that is popular is the Cadian style, with nothing but fatigues, a standard flak jacket, and a disk launcher. The flak jacket is their armor, however it is paper thin compared to the powered armor the Toa wear to protect themselves. However, these are simply the grunts.
The Voodoo’eads, are mutant Matoran that come from planets where the gravity is too high for normal Matoran. These rather stupid behemoths tower over normal Matoran and Ta-Koro Guards. Armed to the teeth, they take the hits that many cannot on the front lines. Their home is what is considered a Death World.
A Death World is one that is not preferable for human life. It is harsh and brutal, and the strongest can only hope to survive. However, those of the brave population that do, make prime candidates to become Toa, or form the greatest regiments the Imperium of Matoran has ever known.
The Cadian Gate
Located near the Eye of Teridax, Cadia stands vigilant in the direct path of any heretic or Makuta who would leave their safety of the Red Star. It has become a planet-wide fortress, prepared to cast the light of the Great Spirit upon any who would dare invade.
The Black Crusades that befall this planet are tales of legend, and called upon thousands of Toa, and hundreds of the Guard Regiments to defend it. The Cadian however, make up half of this force.
The Catachan Jungle Fighters
Out of thousands of regiments of the Guard, the Catachans stand out the most. Living on the Death World by the same name, the Catachan Le-Matoran know their way through the equally dense and deadly jungles, impossible to navigate by normal Matoran. The Catachan are almost completely Le-Matoran, as they require their soldiers to be prepared for the harsh conditions of their world.
Like many other Death Worlds, dangerous rahi inhabit the jungles. None are as deadly as the frog-like Rahi, the Catachans Barker. If one feels threatened, it releases toxins in the air nearby, so deadly it can kill a Toa with one breath.
The Catachans do not wear armor, but rely on close combat with their foes. While they carry disk weapons, they enjoy using their knives. A deal that has kept the forges of the MOChanicus busy for millennia would be the Agreement of Korgot, in which the MOChanicus would trade munitions and supplies to the Death World and her Catachan regiments for precious metals found abundant on Catachan. This would give the Catachans a competitive edge, quite literally. Their knives may look the part of swords on most occasions.
Sly Tamaru
Alas, one of the greatest heroes of the Catachan Companies is Sly Tamaru, who has inspired hope in the hearts of billions of Imperial Matoran across the galaxy. He has fought off entire raiding forces of Dark Vortixx on his own, and slain the servants of Roodaka. Many debate whether or not this is true, but according to the Catachan Second Company, Sly Tamaru has saved two of his Turaga. Even more debatable is his pet Gukko, who can apparently act as his transport between worlds.
While it is confirmed Sly Tamaru exists, much of the data seems to suggest his feats are legendary, yet too legendary to suggest he truly accomplished these acts. It could perhaps be embellishment on the behalf of the Catachans, but this doesn’t stop his cult following, which includes tv-shows, comics, and board games based around Sly Tamaru.
The Death Koros of Krieg
The dreaded Death Koros of Krieg are no longer those who hail from a planet. It is a culture, of which many Ko-Matoran find appealing. Upon the Death Koros, hundreds of thousands of warriors wait in their massive ships(like Texas sized). The Ko-Matoran don black armor, and wear Pakaris to battle, giving each a grim expression appropriate of the era in which they live. They are emotionless, and unfeeling. The Ko-Matoran of the Death Koros behave as if they were automatons at times. This adds to the irony of their downfall.
The Battle of Krieg
Many speak of this as legend, as only the leader of the Death Koros can answer honestly, if he decides to. The destruction of Krieg was not done by an invading army, however an invasion from below.
The Baterra were deposited by the Great Spirit across the stars many millennia ago. It turned out a cache of them had been found on Krieg. How the cache had been awakened remains a mystery. Some say a mad scientist, a heretic. Others fear it was the work of the Makuta, who had learned this through spies, and opened it on purpose to spread chaos and discord. The unfeeling clashed against each other, however the Baterra units seemed infinite in number.
The planet was broken apart that day, as Krieg had planned for this event. Entire cities emerged from the world, destroying what was left of Krieg in the process. As the Baterrans razed the surface they too became destroyed. The world collapsed upon itself in the mass exodus.
The Steel Resistance of Armageddon
Appearing with the same armored Pakari-pattern helm as the Death Koro, the Steel Resistance differs in personality. Veterans of now three wars on their home planet, they find themselves shattered in the face of the constant Skakdi invasion. Few remain, but they will retake their home from the alien, and any that stand in their path will be destroyed with extreme ferocity. Most of their number consist of Po-Matoran and Fe-Matoran.
No one is sure how, but as the Skakdi grow in number, they seem to target Armageddon near constantly, never to cease in their mindless campaigns of carnage, and seeking the greatest loot of the galaxy. Some believe this to be because the Imperium of Matoran constantly defending the world, and this war lust attracts them.
Colonel Jaller
None are as legendary as Colonel Jaller, who fought in all three wars of Armageddon, and is another living legend of the 41st Millenium. He is typically seen at the front of many legendary battles involving the Guard, visible out of the top hatch of his Axalara-pattern Baneblade.
What separates Jaller from normal Matoran is his absence of an arm, and in its place a Skakdi forged limb. During the second war for Armageddon, a Skakdi warboss known as Zaktan engaged in battle with him. Jaller won at the cost of his arm. In turn, he had taken Zaktan’s. Zaktan’s arm soon became his own, an act of defiance against his foes. Zaktan then had what a Skakdi would call a friendly relationship with Jaller, and what Matoran would know as bitter hatred. Where the Skakdi may be around the Imperium, Zaktan at their command, Jaller always stands ready to beat back the menace.
Up next are the favored half sons half daughters of Vakama, the Spirit’s Children, who are obsessed with becoming the best leaders ever. Chainaxes away for the next Codex please.