Paxorak

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Paxorak
Species
Homeland(s)	Mohra

Paxorak, the species of the Barraki warlord Carapar, are endowed with great strength (being capable of lifting over twice their own weight) and natural shell-like armor, making their appearance slightly reminiscent of a crab. Said armor is remarkably thick, rendering it highly resistant to direct physical attack, and conducts heat and electricity fairly well. Notably, the Paxorak are also resistant to the Zyglak's protodermis-eating disease, making them the most suitable beings to combat the Zyglak. They tend to find work as warriors due to their incredible strength and endurance, and are capable of using Kanohi.

List of Members

• Carapar

Lore Blurb

NOTE: This is an exact copy of the blurb as presented in the Doronai Nui. Do not modify.

The Paxorak, the people of the Barraki warlord Carapar and the main constituent species of the Kingdom of Hakori, are endowed with great strength and natural shell-like armor. Their carapaces are remarkably thick, rendering them highly resistant to direct physical attack; however, by the same token, the Paxorak are rendered more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and high voltages. While the Paxorak may possess a hulking, brutish appearance, their mental faculties should not be underestimated - for example, just like the other Prime species, they are fully capable of using Kanohi (often to the surprise of an unprepared foe).

The Paxorak are native to the island of Mohra, occupying many islands throughout the last dome before the Southern Islands. They are widely known by their island neighbors as simple pirates; although this is not an inaccurate description, the Paxorak also adhere to a code of honor, living by laws that just so happen to also permit plundering and raiding. Paxorak culture ascribes honor to evidence of physical hardship; individuals will proudly display scars, cracked armor or carapaces, and other injuries as visible signs of their love for battle. As a society focused around combat, they hold a deep respect for the strongest and most capable warriors among them - although it would be a mistake to generalize them in this regard. There are many Paxorak artists and sailors, and even simple fishers, who keep day-to-day society running for the benefit of the smaller number of elites who sail abroad to pillage. When they return with cargo holds filled with trophies of conquest and Matoran treasures, they use their spoils to furnish their elegant palaces, which are said to be some of the most magnificent structures in the southern reaches of the universe. A strong tradition of oral tales chronicles the exploits of legendary pirates from the past, and their battles against Toa, Zyglak, or other enemies.

Generally speaking, Paxorak - especially their chieftains - tend to harbor a reluctance to follow authority higher than their own. Paxorak settlements are often highly autonomous, and only direct pressure can force them to work together. In times of war, Paxorak tribes may however form temporary alliances that are later rescinded as soon as their mutual enemy is defeated. The most common way for a chieftain to ensure loyalty is to regularly visit the various holdings and settlements that are sworn to them, ensuring that any insubordination is swiftly quelled, as it is by recognition of their own strength and achievements that they maintain their rule. Leaders who fail to keep track of their constituents will usually find their political influence waning rapidly - or worse.

While Paxorak tribes are led by individual chieftains, the mantle of Mohra's High King is worn only by the strongest warrior, decided upon through a ritual challenge of one-on-one combat with the previous High King. This title has roots reaching back to the earliest days of the universe, as the first being to hold the position was none other than the Barraki Carapar himself. Uniquely among the power structures of the Barraki, the system of chieftains and High Kings has survived ever since Carapar’s disappearance, and remains unchanged to this day. Many High Kings have risen and fallen over the universe’s long history; some have been strong warriors with long reigns, while others have proved ineffective and had comparatively short life expectancies. A High King wields significant political power, being one of the very few entities under which the disparate tribes of Mohra will begrudgingly unite in the face of a significant threat. Most will never have cause to convene the full power of Mohra, but those few who do will have a nigh-unstoppable army at their disposal.

Due to the location of their homeland, the Paxorak have become the sworn enemies of the Zyglak, often encountering wandering bands of these savage beings which commonly originate from the island chains further south. Curiously, the Paxorak appear to be immune to the organic protodermis-eating disease carried by the Zyglak, which constitutes a death sentence for nearly all other species; naturally, they boast that this is due to their incredible strength and resilience. Because of this unusual capability, they are widely considered to be a bulwark against the threat of Zyglak invasions to the rest of the universe.

Behind the Scenes

Originally called Axopakar (later changed due to conflation with the mask by the same name), the Paxorak are designed to serve as the species of Barraki Carapar. Their culture draws heavy influence from vikings and pirates, and to a lesser extent, the cardinal sin of gluttony. Their tough armor and incredible strength is maintained from Carapar's mutated form, though both of these aspects are amplified by the mutations.

The Paxorak were orignally going to have an ability to chemically change the color of their armor to a limited extent, providing a means of partial camouflage. This ability was inspired by certain real-life crab species, but was ultimately cut.