Vako

The Vako were a breed of horned rhinoceros-Rahi that once roamed the plains of Po-Wahi.

History
The Vako were originally created by Makuta Gorast using viruses and Liquid Protodermis to be one of the species to inhabit the Matoran Universe. Genetically engineered to secrete a powerful enzyme found originally in Skakdi, the Vako were intended to chemically reconstitute withered vegetation, along with many other Rahi.

Distributed across the Matoran Universe, the Vako revealed themselves to be a docile and well-natured breed of Rahi, successfully adapting to the desert ecosystem and integrating themselves into Matoran life with relative ease, rejuvenating arid regions. Across the Matoran Universe, Mahi were often cultivated to rapidly regrow vegetation with their enzymes, with Matoran communities finding the species easier to care for than many larger Rahi species. Across the Matoran Universe, Mahi were also used to pull carts and haul cargo.

Distributed across the Matoran Universe, the Vako revealed themselves to be an ill-tempered but largely docile breed of Rahi, successfully adapting to open and sparse desert ecosystems around the Great Spirit Robot. While the species generally came to reside in the Southern Island Chain, several thousand individual specimens were known to venture across the Great Plains of the Northern Continent and played a major role in determining the structure of the ecosystem.

In Metru Nui, there was known to exist a significant Vako population in the arid habitat of Po-Metru. In an effort to preserve the species, a number of specimens were relocated to the Onu-Metru Archives. These Vako would later migrate to the island of Mata Nui.

On Mata Nui, Vako inhabited the wilds of Po-Wahi, using their numbers to overwhelm the region's natural predators, the Nui Jaga. Proving temperamental and resisting domestication by Po-Matoran, the Vako were eventually displaced by the Bohrok Swarms.

When the Great Spirit Robot suffered critical damage, the surviving members of the Vako populations emigrated to Spherus Magna. Many have chosen the Great Barren as their primary habitat, though the Po-Metru populations seem to have migrated to the Black Spike Mountains in pursuit of prey.

Abilities and Traits
As quadrupedal Rahi, Vako possess cloven hooves with two toes that spread wide to improve balance. Rough pads on the bottom of each toe provide the grip of a natural climbing shoe. Individual specimens are powerful but nimble and can jump nearly 10 feet in a single bound.

Wild Vako conventionally roam arid desert regions of the Matoran Universe, migrating in search of water. While they are not considered confrontational by nature, Vako are not incapable of defending themselves, often using their sharp horns as formidable weapons.

Appearances

 * To Be Added