Skakdi

The Skakdi are the short-tempered and violent natives of the island of Zakaz, created by the Great Spirit Mata Nui.

History
Mata Nui created the Skakdi, and they existed as a relatively peaceful race. A Brotherhood of Makuta member, Spiriah, made his way onto the island about 75,000 years ago under orders, and sought a use in the Skakdi as soldiers. Experiments performed by Spiriah caused the Skakdi to gain Elemental Powers that could only work in combinations, as well as vision powers and other abilities. He then departed the island, leaving Visorak behind to keep guard, planning to return later. With their newfound powers, the Skakdi turned on the spider-like Rahi, and eventually began fighting amongst themselves, causing great damage to Zakaz. When Spiriah returned, he found that his experiment had failed. This incident resulted in his exile and wanted execution by the Brotherhood.

One Skakdi, Nektann, became a warlord of the island at some point.

Arguments between the Skakdi turned into a civil war, which ravaged the island. The warlords of Zakaz stopped the war by taking control of the factions.

One Skakdi was sent to The Pit for committing unpardonable crimes. After the Great Cataclysm, he escaped into the endless ocean of Aqua Magna, and was mutated to be able to breathe water. He was later wounded by the Barraki Pridak and left for sea predators.

Six members of the Skakdi race are known to have been recruited into the Dark Hunters. They later left the Hunters to find the legendary Kanohi Ignika, and began calling themselves Piraka. Their adventures eventually led to their mutation, and they escaped into the Chord. During an attempt to enact revenge on the team of Toa that had thwarted their efforts, they were captured by Order of Mata Nui member Axonn, and held on Daxia.

Many of the Skakdi clashed with Axonn and Brutaka, who had arrived on their island hoping to gain them as allies. The intruders managed to convince their master, Nektann to ally with them, and proceeded to convince the other warlords of the island. The Skakdi armies traveled to one of the Matoran Universe's southern islands, where they battled a small army of Rahkshi. While the Rahkshi held the upper hand at first, the Skakdi managed to muster enough sheer rage to decimate their opponents ranks.

Several Skakdi were recruited into Pridak's new army upon his release from the Pit.

After Teridax took control of the universe, Nektann and his legions agreed in allying with him. The Mahri were sent by the Order shortly afterward to investigate whether or not other Skakdi warlords were going follow in Nektann's lead. Infiltrating a base on Zakaz, the five Toa came upon an army of Skakdi who shouted refusal of Teridax's dominance. As a vat of Energized Protodermis arose, the Toa watched as they dropped into the substance a Vortixx, a Zyglak, a being from the worker species on Stelt, and the five missing Piraka. The beings fused and climbed out of the tank, and it soon convinced the Toa Mahri to serve the Skakdi people.

Rahkshi were eventually sent to Zakaz to deal with the Skakdi that had not joined with Teridax and they brutalized the resisters. Promised a new world to conquer, Nektann took his Skakdi to the southern reaches of the Matoran Universe.

Along with Rahkshi of Heat Vision, Nektann and his army were in the Southern Islands when Gresh opened a door into the Matoran Universe. The Rahkshi emerged first onto the planet of Bara Magna, followed by Nektann and his Skakdi. They then began to fight the Glatorian.

Toa soon emerged from the hatch and assisted the Glatorian. Tahu was able to defeat Nektann in order to claim the Golden Armour shield piece. Soon after the Kraata in the Rahkshi were vaporized, and Teridax killed, the Toa and Glatorian's combined forces surrounded the Skakdi. Some surrendered to the army, while others ran into the desert to regroup.

The Skakdi that had not joined Teridax eventually escaped the Matoran Universe and arrived on the newly reformed Spherus Magna. The fusion created a fortress larger than Metru Nui for them to inhabit. Later, this fortress was attacked by Annona, who confused the Skakdi with illusions while it began to spread the Dreaming Plague amongst them. The fusion confronted Annona and refused to surrender.

Social Structure and Interactions
While not the most trustworthy species, the Skakdi usually managed to live in peace with other races. After Spiriah's experiment, the Skakdi turned on each other and began their long tradition of being brutal, murderous, and treacherous beings.

The rulers of Zakaz have been known to tell their people stories of monstrous creatures to scare them. In the same way Turaga tell stories of Toa to bring hope to Matoran, they tell stories of Irnakk, a beast who brings your worst fears to life, to keep their race in line.

Keeping a Skakdi as a prisoner is known to be futile, as they only ever exchange information for their freedom. Accordingly, Skakdi never have an area for holding prisoners.

The Skakdi have their own language.