If that is the general consensus, then we can go that route. It’s just that the current understanding is that there is an orientation, since the barbs are curved.
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Yeah, there’s definitely an orientation, I just didn’t think the quote specified it (though I can also see how it could be read that way).
Well, he does say “when you pull it out, you do more damage”, not just “it does more damage”. Greg seems to be saying that the barbs are meant for that purpose specifically.
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Yeah, the definition of barb is a projection that points back or away from the main point. You wouldn’t call those points barbs if they weren’t pointing in the same direction or perpendicular to the main blade. They would just be spikes/ serrations.
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Tarix is also described as azure.
It’s just a fancy word for blue in this context, like “emerald” being used for green.
Weakening, Mind Scrambling, Reconstitution, Remove Poison… Technically the Shelek and Felnas although they probably wouldn’t be worn in the present era.
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Is he? Otherwise, yeah I’m pretty much in that same boat. I’m not as obsessive over specific shades myself and am just saying that medium blue is probably what Shadow-Nui was thinking of when they used the word.
(Speaking of emerald, some people have said that Nidhiki should have no silver armor because he’s been described as “emerald;” but so was Zaktan, who has a gold torso. Unless there’s a quote that I’ve missed that explicitly says Nidhiki has no silver armor at all, it doesn’t make any sense to prohibit that color.)
“CHARGE!” Tarix roared. Azure warriors of all shapes and sizes emerged from their hiding spots.
Decadence by Dorek - BIONICLEsector01
Keep in mind, this is all before LEGO’s Azur colors were introduced, so there’s no way either author had those in mind or were trying approximate them. This makes me doubtful there’s any greater intent here. Of course, medium blue should be allowed though. The main take-away is that the Calix itself is blue.
Lewa Mata has also been described as emerald:
Toa Lewa, master of air, rider on the wind, emerald-armored hero in the making, had just discovered something very important: He really, truly, deeply hated the water.
Interlude Three | BIONICLE Legends #10: Swamp of Secrets | Wall of History
As for Nidhiki:
Official Greg Discussion | Page 99
3. Toa Nidhiki is green and silver, correct?
3) No, he’s just green. He’s a Toa of Air. Toa Iruini is green and silver.
Official Greg Discussion | Page 100
2. Several places, I’ve seen you say that Norik is Gold/Red and Iruini Silver/Green, when Norik is actually Silver/Red and Iruini Gold/Green. Was that just by mistake, or is that how they’re supposed look like?
2) No, just my mistake. I don’t have the sets and so am going based on my own faulty memory.
3. You also said Nidhiki was all-green, and not Silver/Green. Wouldn’t the latter be more logical, seeing as Lhikan is Gold/Red?
3) Nope. Because Nidhiki didn’t come from the same place Lhikan did, so no reason he would need to be dual-colored like Lhikan. After all, neither Matau nor Lewa is dual-colored, so why would any other Toa of Air be?
Of course, this means that two shades of green, like with Lewa’s lime accent, would be ok.
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I’m personally going with medium blue for my Varian because that’s what azure means to me without using CCBS but any blue should work for the MOC (the art can always use a more dictionary-definition azure later).
Oh yeah, this quote.
Now that you bring this up, I remember having seen this quote before and wondering what it means with regards to the grey/black sockets used on the sets (obviously they were not represented in the movies but they were visible in other visual media such as the comics) and whether it means if grey/black can be used as an accent on Nidhiki the same way gold is for Lhikan.
Seeing it now, it’s kind of confusing why Air Toa have to be monochrome when Toa from other elements have had a wide array of secondary colors, even after ignoring the metallic shades used on Lhikan and the Hagah.
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Oh yeah, I agree. Any “color locks” are stupid IMO… but here we are.
As for grey or black sockets, Matau and Iruini have those so should be fine.
I would argue dark grey is part of Kongu Mahri’s primary colorscheme.
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Other than possibly Nuparu, all of the Mahri feature a prominent secondary color that really can’t be listed as monochrome, so it just makes the “if X isn’t this, why would Y” stance for Air Toa that much more stupid.
Here’s the thing: there’s no reason to mandate that the weapon be well designed for its intended purpose. First, it’s a broadsword–that means either it’s not good for thrusting, or the weapon’s name is a misnomer. Second, Bionicle weapons are always designed for rule of cool, not functionality. Norik’s spear isn’t very pointy, which makes it a lousy spear, but it’s still a spear by name and function.
To give further precedent against mandating barb direction, Takanuva’s Kolhii spear only has a blade attached, and the set version lacks a hammer or bowl needed to play Kolhii. The weapon’s shape cannot perform its in universe function. How can we say another character’s weapon must follow some higher standard?
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You quoted the post where I quoted the reason. Cause it was described by the author that created Tuyet and her weapon. It’s just bringing that item as it has been described to life.
For the first, sure, names don’t always apply accurately, this is true. We’re not mandating that it has to specifically be a broadsword. But Greg has very specifically stated the intention of the barbs and given a thorough description of its function. Not entirely common, and it has not been contradicted.
For the second, people are more than allowed to do both. You can make something cool and functional.
There are so many things people can do to make a creative sword within this framework. But at the end of the day (and I feel like this shouldn’t need reiterating), these are canon contests. If you’re looking for a no-holds-barred MOC/art contest where creativity flows with no hindrance, these aren’t the contests to be here for. There will always be guidelines to follow, no matter the character.
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Yeah, depending on if you want to call silver a shade of gray, and gray a shade of black xd
Not to mention Kongu Inika and Lesovikk using silver later on as well.
^
I might have my disagreements with certain choices Greg has made, or with the contests being a thing… but end of the day, this principle lies at the core of them being canon contests. If we can’t all agree on that then Mata Nui foresake us.
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Am I missing something here? If this isn’t subject to any stringent mandate, why the direction of barbs, or for that matter, the necessity of the barbs in the first place? Honest question.
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Apologies, I should have said we will not mandate that it has to be a specific type of broadsword, as there are multiple kinds that humans have created over the years. It’ll still have to be a “broadsword,” but that means different things from different cultures/eras.
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imo, As a “Canon Contest”, I prioritize Greg’s comments and TTV’s judgment in respect of them. 
My BB must be changed in the Art contest, though… 
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I suppose it’s worth noting that if an artist opted to, they can still use this base design so long as it’s altered enough to fit the specificity of the Sword’s description. These are meant to be base models, after all.
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Wow it sounds good! 
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so effectively, there will be no mandate for the sword to be symmetrical
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In terms of blade shape, no, due to the nature of broadswords and the different kinds. As far as the barbs… obviously this is being a point of contention, so I’d like to say no to that as well. But the quote does mention the barbs lining the sides (plural) of the blade. So that’s a tough one.
I feel like that’s gonna come down to how much “lining” would be done, and whether people feel it’s appropriate to not have barbs fully covering the sides.
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