Cathartes (Chalkaverse-1)



"Quite a controversial mask, the Cathartes allows a wearer to absorb residual life force from a corpse. The controversy comes from how the corpse became a corpse, of course."

- Toa Tulwe's thoughts on the Kanohi Cathartes.

The Kanohi Cathartes was the Mask of Scavenging.

History
The Mask of Scavenging was originally conceived by the Great Beings as one of a number of masks for the Matoran to wear. The first Toa of Fire gave it the name Kanohi Cathartes, for an unknown reason. After the intellectual Awakening of the Matoran due to Velika's tampering, the majority of Turaga leaders deemed the Kanohi immoral, resulting in most Matoran and Toa rejecting the Kanohi. However, a number of Toa still wore it, believing that as long as it was used responsibly it wasn't truly immoral.

The Kanohi was known to be popular among murderers and assassins, as their occupations lined up well with the mask's power. Makuta and Malishta were also known to employ the mask.

Description
The Kanohi Cathartes allowed its wearer to absorb the residual life from recently deceased corpses. The mask then transferred the energy into the wearer, strengthening them.

Noble: A Noble Cathartes could only absorb the life of very fresh corpses, and was unable to absorb much.

Great: A Great Cathartes could absorb life from older corpses, and could absorb more.

Nuva: A Cathartes Nuva was able to absorb the life from much older corpses, and could absorb quite a bit from what little life was left.

Kanohi Cathartes were considered immoral by most Toa, as they believed it encouraged murder. However, some Toa still wore it, believing it didn't matter so long as they didn't murder.

Great

 * Icarax

Powerless

 * Vultraz

Etymology
The name Cathartes comes from the eponymous real-world genus, which includes a number of vultures