Yeah, I wasn’t exactly advocating for Lightning to replace Ice, but that seems to be what TTV is aiming for. Still, I figured I might as well have fun and try to convey the idea of lightning being the bridge between nature and machine- Lightning reigns down from the skies and was seen as an act of the divine. Now, it’s cold, harsh nature is associated with machinery. Ko-Wahi is very radically different, and as such the Ko-Matoran a bit ‘superior’ in their self-view and kind of snobby about it.
Also, I thought I should say this- But thanks for the feedback, guys.
Yeah, Lightning definitely isn’t the most ‘natural’ of elements, as it’s hard to imagine it being a part of the natural tribal setting when not being used in machinery. Still, this gives me the idea… What if, as an homage to the icy peaks of Ko-Wahi, there’d be a separate, snow-covered mountain where monks lived in?
These monks would’ve populated this snowy mountain as an averse reaction to the new Ko-Matoran use of technology. Seeing it as unnatural and barring them from nature, these monks have stayed behind in what was once the original look of Ko-Wahi; Mountain villages with Mahi being herded along. While the rest of Ko-Koro moved to the cold industry of machines, these monks have stayed behind to continue the old way of Ko-Matoran life. Perhaps G3 Nuju could be a part of them, which fits in nicely with him choosing to speak in bird-speak instead.
Likewise, in-universe, the technological setting gives Kopaka a motive for his coldness towards the others- As mentioned earlier, the Ko-Matoran society likes to view itself as advanced and superior, and thus they can be a bit snobby about it. As part of Kopaka’s character arc, he learns that just because it’s not the advanced Ko-Koro tech doesn’t make it bad, and he learns too appreciate the beauty and value of nature and the other regions.
His fellow Toa, too, soon grow to see that this cold, harsh machinery isn’t inherently bad, and that on its own it has protected the frozen, vulnerable Ko-Matoran from outside threats. I feel like having such a radically-different world be Kopaka’s home can help contribute to his character arc of being above the others and a loner, and contribute to the narrative of the Toa accepting him and vice-versa.
On an additional thought, part of Makuta’s motivations, so far, is a desire to return to the ‘old times’ and bring the island to its original state. Perhaps part of his big actions was an averse reaction to Ko-Koro, and its tech and progress could be seen by him as the ultimate insult, the last straw, and proof that the world’s ‘purity’ must be preserved.
Continuing on this idea, perhaps Kopaka once lived in these icy monasteries and was a pupil of Nuju. However, upon visiting the advanced city of Ko-Koro, he became entranced by the wonders he saw and felt that this was the direction the island needed to go. As a result, upon returning to the Monastery, he had an argument with Nuju, ultimately leading to a falling-out in which Kopaka moved to Ko-Koro.
Needless to say, as he and the Toa explore Ko-Wahi, Kopaka will mournfully reminisce on his troubles with his mentor and regret what he had said that day. Mending his broken friendship with Nuju will help motivate him in his quest to save the island and unfreeze time.
Edited for Double Post - Waj