The World of Avatar

[Dii of Babylon]

 

[Dii of Babylon]

Earth Kigndom::______

Geography of the Earth Kigdom

Because of its immense size, the geography of the Earth Kingdom varies tremendously by region. Much of its center is taken up by arid grasslands, and the Si Wong Desert, which dominates the southeast. Its northwest coast is covered with dense pine forests - further south, these are replaced by semitropical deciduous forests. The area near Omashu is fairly mountainous, with small pine thickets and large steppes.

Climate

The Earth Kingdom's dominant season is spring, the time when several living things on Earth are reborn. To an effect, more Earthbenders are born during the spring that any other season and their powers are at their strongest during the springtime. On average, the climate in the Earth Kingdom is characterized for to have an average temperature. In some parts, the kigndom has an arid climate, especially in center Earth Kingdom: the Si Wong Desert (the driest and hottest place in the world) and the Great Divide; and in other parts, predominates the temperate climate, like in the Kyoshi Island.

Culture

The people of Ba Sing Se value order and stability over freedom. Law and order are maintained under the strictest of police forces to ensure that society does not break down into chaos. The people of Ba Sing Se have a variety of recreational activities available to them including spas, poetry houses, shops, restaurants, and the Ba Sing Se Zoo. Tea-drinking is one of the most common ways citizens relax after work, while strolls around the parks and shops of the Middle Ring are also enjoyed. The University ensures that many upper and middle class families get a higher education (though considering the segregation, it is unlikely that anyone from the Lower Ring could attend it). Earthbenders are highly valued, and operate many civic projects, from the monorail system to the city's gates.

The architecture of Ba Sing Se is slightly different from many other towns seen throughout the series. The majority of the buildings are made of stone, with wood supports and plaster covering the outside. The color of roofing tiles on buildings indicate their prestige and vary by ring - Lower Ring buildings have black or dark green tiles, Middle Ring buildings have vibrant green, and the Upper Ring nobility uses yellow tiles as a sign of class. Earth Kingdom symbols are often placed on gates, government buildings, and military sites. Roads in the Middle and Upper rings are made of flagstones, while the Lower Ring has muddy dirt paths for most of its streets and alleys. The citizens of Ba Sing Se sport considerably more color variation in their clothing than the other locations seen throughout the series - blues, turquoises, browns, and golds can all be seen among the aristocracy, while the lower class usually wears browns and off-whites.

The city is divided into various levels based on social class, with the ghettos of the poor. It is also revealed that society is heavily controlled. This was meant to maintain order and the cultural heritage of the city. The Dai Li maintain strict control of the people and the culture..

Culture: Omashu
The Culture of Omashu was that of slightly list porpotions as they are not the Captial City and lack the Dai Li. But, the Social Standing are the same.


Ba Sing Se

History

Ba Sing Se is ancient, arguably one of the oldest settlements in the world. Early in its history, Ba Sing Se was once simply a small subterranean city carved out of rocks by Earthbenders. As the benders further excavated, they came across beautiful illuminated crystals and began to mine them. The crystals currently serve as a common light source for Earth Kingdom inhabitants. Eventually, as the metropolis' expansion reached above ground levels, the catacombs were abandoned. The city continued to grow and eventually became the capital of the newly-unified Earth Kingdom. Ba Sing Se, by far the largest city in the world, is gargantuan. While no figures are given of its population, judging on its appearance alone, one could conclude that many millions of people may live there.

Ba Sing Se has been hailed in its history as the greatest fortress in any of the Four Nations, having remained unconquered for centuries prior to the War. For example, when the infamous warlord Chin the Conqueror invaded the entire Earth Kingdom, Ba Sing Se was the only territory besides the Kyoshi Peninsula to remain free. Apparently, Chin would rather face the Avatar herself than try his luck at the Great Wall of Ba Sing Se.

After Chin's death, there was a peasant uprising. Peasants felt that the 46th Earth King's role was outdated and that he did not represent their interests; so, finally Avatar Kyoshi solved the problem with the creation of the Dai Li.


The Outer Wall was unconquered for many yearsIn the history of the city, the Outer Wall has only been breached on three occasions: The first was by Fire Nation military forces led by General Iroh, the legendary "Dragon of the West". This attack, a part of his 600 day long siege of the city, was quickly driven back by the city’s guardian forces after he was weakened by the death of his son, Lu Ten. Years later, the Fire Nation used a great drill to bore through the Outer Wall, but Aang and his friends stopped the machine before the army could take advantage of the hole. By the end of the Season 2 finale, Ba Sing Se had fallen to the hands of the Fire Nation through an internal coup d'etat led by Princess Azula. Finally in the series finale the walls were again breached by Iroh, this time leading the Order of the White Lotus, and using a colossal fire blast strengthened by Sozin's Comet.

Soon later on, Princess Azula and her allies, Mai and Ty Lee, disguised themselves as Kyoshi Warriors in order to enter Ba Sing Se as the Earth King's honored guests. Azula let herself and her allies be uncovered as Fire Nation. The Dai Li, as Azula knew they would, took her to see their leader, Long Feng. The two allied in order to stage a coup against the Earth King and the Council of Five. Azula took command of the Dai Li and coordinated the simultaneous capture of the Earth King and the Council of Five, gaining control over the city. Long Feng was in turn released from his prison cell. He attempted to double-cross Azula, but without the support of the Dai Li, he failed and submitted to Azula. The following summer, the city is firmly controlled by Fire Nation forces, who gained access to the city after the Dai Li tore down large sections of the Outer and Inner Walls. The citizens could only look on in horror as the Fire Nation Army flooded into the city.

After a few weeks, the Order of the White Lotus attacked and liberated the city from the Fire Nation. Iroh, the dragon of the west, personally burned away the Fire Nation banner that was hanging over the front of the Royal Palace. After Zuko is crowned Fire Lord, the entire gang celebrates their victory there at the Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop. Here it has now branched out into all of the Nations, except the Water tribes of the Northern, Southern, and Swamp.

Government

Government System: Confederate Monarchy

Head of State: Earth King

As the capital of the Earth Kingdom, Ba Sing Se was home to the Earth King, ruler of the Earth Kingdom. However, after the death of the 51st Earth King, true power in the city belonged to the city's Grand Secretariat, Long Feng. As Head of the Dai Li, Ba Sing Se's "cultural agents", (originally engendered by Avatar Kyoshi following a peasant revolt during the reign of the 46th Earth King) he enforced strict laws within the city, designed to keep him in power and keep knowledge of the war from the King. It was absolutely forbidden to mention the war with the Fire Nation within the city, and those that did were arrested and re-educated in secret Dai Li facilities to the belief that the war did not exist. According to Long Feng, his measures were necessary to maintain Ba Sing Se's cultural heritage and to ensure that the city remains a thriving utopia; however, in truth, they were merely tools used to uphold his totalitarian government.

Though the Earth King believed he had Long Feng, Feng allied himself with Azula to engineer a coup d'etat, he was betrayed by his own Dai Li and ultimately surrendered the city to the Princess of the Fire Nation.

The position of the Earth King was abolished after the Fire Nation took the city, sending Earth King Kuei into exile. He was replaced by Azula with Joo Dee, as a puppet ruler with the title "Supreme Bureaucratic Administrator of Ba Sing Se". With Ba Sing Se liberated, it is likely this rule was overthrown.

The title of Earth King has likely been reestablished and Earth King Kuei is believed to have returned from his exile. He will likely restore the authority of the Earth King with what he has learned from the conspiracy and his exile.

Omashu

History

Legends hold that two people from feuding towns met at the top of a mountain, and fell in love. Although it was dangerous for them to meet, the loving couple found a way to continue their relationship in secret. After learning Earthbending by observing the natural skills of Badgermoles, massive animals that inhabit the mountains separating their two villages, they created a labyrinth which only they could navigate as a place to be together, and others who would try to follow them would be lost forever in the tunnels.

However, one day the man did not come - he had been killed in the war between their two peoples. While the woman's fury was initially expressed in a display of her terrible Earthbending powers, which could have destroyed both of the warring towns, she instead declared the conflict at an end.

The two villages later created a city to honor the couple's love, which eventually grew into the city of Omashu (the names of the lovers are revealed to be Oma and Shu, whose names were joined together). The final line in the script states "love is brightest in the dark".

It currently is ruled by King Bumi and holds the place of being the Earth Kingdom's second largest city. Omashu's main industry was producing weapons and supplies for the war effort, and had developed a complex and efficient mail system used to transport goods throughout the city that employed Earthbending and gravity using extensive ramps and chutes. Bumi and Aang used the ramps as slides in their past.

As the war raged, Omashu was captured by the Fire Nation, who had developed metal, extending bridges to bypass the gorge, and was renamed "New Ozai" by Princess Azula around that time.

The entire city underwent massive reconstruction to better suit the needs of the Fire Nation. A huge statue of Ozai began construction. The Palace was reconstructed, the original of which was completely leveled and replaced with the metal pagoda architecture favored by the Fire Nation. This may have been in part to the fact that doors between the chambers of the old palace were created as needed by Earthbending, making entrance and egress impossible for non-earthbenders. Many of the the ordinary buildings were comandeered by the Fire Nation, most likely forcefully, and turned into Factories, with chimneys coming out of the top, which were probably being used to build weapons.

Mai's father became New Ozai Governor, in place of King Bumi. The normal citizens, however, fled the city under the guise of an epidemic shortly after Aang arrives. During the Day of Black Sun, the imprisoned Bumi saw that his time had come and released himself from imprisonment. Following that, he proceeded to defeat the powerless Firebenders and single-handedly reclaimed his city from the Fire Nation, even going as far as to destroy the now complete statue of Ozai, while laughing maniacally and eating Jennomite. This was vital to the eventual liberation of the Earth Kingdom from the Fire Nation.

After the War, Omashu has presumably begun to repair the damage the Fire Nation inflicted on the city. The social standing and rule remained the same as it alway was after the war and the Passing of the Great Leader, Bumi.

Government

Government System: Confederate Monarchy

Head of State: Earth King, Governor [[Refered to as King also, by the people of Omashu]]

Omashu is part of the Earth Kingdom; as such, the highest authority over Omashu is the Earth King of Ba Sing Se. The highest military authority is the Council of Five. However, Omashu is largely autonomous of the Earth Kingdom national government in Ba Sing Se, and has its own king, the current king being Bumi.  

[Dii of Babylon]

Fire Nation::______

Geography of the Fire Nation

The continent is located on the planet's equator in the western hemisphere, and is composed of several islands, and therefore is an archipelago of tropical volcanic islands, many still active. The geography of the Fire Nation is characterized by several bays and fjords. The topography of the Fire Nation is modelled after photographs taken by the one of the creators on his trip to Iceland, a volcanic island.

Climate

The Fire Nation's dominant season is summer. The power of Firebenders are slightly enhanced due to the increase in temperature. Most Firebending children are born during the summer. The climate in the Fire Nation is varied, although the most parts of the nation has a tropical and an arid subtropical climate. The Fire Nation has high and average temperatures. Because of a warm and humid climate, the Fire Nation is home to a variety of native flora and fauna, though most of the main islands have been stripped of their forests and now consist of grassy plains.

Culture

The appearance of the Fire Nation is based on fire, naturally. Like the other nations, it is based on its elemental color, in this case, red. The majority of the buildings are made of stone. They also have red pagoda-style roofs favored by the Fire Nation. Fire Nation symbols are often put on important or nice buildings for decoration and inside it is common for a picture of Fire Lord Ozai to be kept in an important, visible place. Roads are well-built, neat ones, mostly straight, heading towards the destination, which suits the Fire Nation's ruler's personality - global domination and striving to do that. They hardly ever have bumps in and are made of neat stone slotted in place. Many hints suggest that the Fire Nation is based on World War II Japan. Both are volcanic countries who have tried to dominate the world, have killed many in larger countries, and have technological advancements over their neighbors.

Children are taught that the Fire Nation is the greatest civilization that has ever existed and that the War is its way of sharing its greatness, and that Fire Lord Ozai and his family are great people who are helping the world out. This has caused a cult of personality to build up around the Fire Lord, military, and aristocracy, who are seen as bringing the benefits of Fire Nation culture to the other nations.

Many names of Fire Nation citizens utilize harsh consonants and letter "Z," including Zuko, Ozai, Azula, Sozin, Zhao, Azulon, Kuzon, etc.

Customs

Fire Nation society places a great emphasis on respect and honor, especially towards the nobility and elders; the concept of the famed Agni Kai stems from these beliefs. Should one be honored enough to be in the presence of a member of the Royal Family, the person needs to prostrate themselves in respect or risk being challenged to an Agni Kai to avenge the disrespected Royal's honor. Upon coming into contact with an elder or superior, it is polite to bow down. Unlike in other parts of the world, this bow consists in placing a hand in a straight fashion with the other placed underneath it vertically. This represents the superior standing with one below him, bowing. Also when receiving an order in the Fire Nation by a superior it is common to not bow, but make the hand symbol. Bowing is required upon greeting to one, when something nice has happened, after business, and leaving. This might be a reference to the practice of unquestionable respect for elders and superiors in India and China.

Likely as a result of the cultural upheavals during the War, women in the Fire Nation are given more freedom than in the other Nations, and are even able (and sometimes encouraged) to join the police and Homeland Defense Force.

History: Fire Nation Captial City

The powerful Fire Nation Navy has prevented the Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe from assaulting the Fire Nation capital.


The Royal Plaza comes under attackHowever, it came under attack in the Invasion of the Fire Nation. Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe and his son Sokka led a small force drawn from the Southern Water Tribe, the Foggy Swamp Tribe and the Earth Kingdom in an invasion of the Fire Nation, while the Avatar, Aang, attempted to seek Fire Lord Ozai and defeat him. The invasion ultimately failed, with almost all invading troops captured.

A few weeks later, the capital was the site of the Comet Enhanced Agni Kai between Zuko and Azula, who both wanted the position of Fire Lord. Azula was eventually defeated by an intervening Katara. Victorious, Zuko was crowned Fire Lord at the Coronation Plaza.

History: Ember Island

Among the people who own homes there are Lo and Li, Princess Azula's twin teachers, and one used to belong to Fire Lord Ozai's family. This particular home is now abandoned, but the royal family used to spend their summers there when Azula and Zuko were only kids. Lo and Li's house is rather small in comparison to all of the others, but is nonetheless luxurious. A third house belongs to an Admiral Chan, who is currently on leave on the island with his family. According to Lo and Li, Ember Island tends to cause its visitors to go into a sort of self-discovery. One sort of allusion to this may be when Aang, Sokka, Katara, Zuko and the rest visit this Island to watch the play, "The Boy in the Iceberg" which symbolizes the team's self-discovery in "Ember Island Players". Many have learned things about themselves that they were previously unaware of, and of their friends and family as well. After Avatar Roku's death, Ta Min moved to the island, where she lived in solitude until she died shortly before the start of the war.

Government

Government System: Absolute Monarchy

Head of State: Fire Lord

Religious Authority: Great Sage & Council of Fire Sages

The Fire Nation is ruled with an iron fist by the latest in a long line of Firebenders, with the most recent leader being Fire Lord Zuko. The Fire Nation's political system is an absolute monarchy that has been waging a century-long imperialist war against the other three nations of the world; the stated goal of which is to create a planet wide empire. They are not above employing genocide to accomplish this goal, having already eliminated the entire nation of Air Nomads, and driven the Southern Water Tribe to the brink of extinction. The idea of an absolute monarchy is reinforced by Azula's comments in The Crossroads of Destiny, stating that "true power, the divine right to rule, is something you're born with".

However, the Fire Nation was not always the tyrannical, militaristic embodiment it is today. A millennia ago, in its earliest years, a council of sages led the Fire Nation who, among several other national interests, were heavily invested in philosophy and spirituality, much like that of the monastic Air Nomad race. The lead sage was known as the "Fire Lord" due to his high level Firebending powers as well as his deep spiritual affinity with the element. Over the years, one lead sage chose to sever ties with the remaining sages and sought to be the sole ruler of the Fire Nation. Now led by the Great Sage, the sages were regulated primarily to spiritual matters but nonetheless still retained some political power over the Nation, with tensions between the two sects increasing with every generation.


Fire Lord OzaiThe dispute finally reached a state of equilibrium during the course of Sozin's rise to the throne and reign. When still alive during Sozin's rule, the sages remained loyal to Avatar Roku and kept watch over his sanctuary. But following the death of the Avatar, the sages were, after three generations, finally submitted under the Fire Lord's rule and were forced to serve only him, counseling him on spiritual affairs.

Now under the servitude of Fire Lord Zuko, the current Fire Sages are the last of their kind, aging remnants of an era long past when spiritual matters were placed in high importance over military ambition.

Following the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai at the hands of Avatar Aang, Fire Lord Zuko rose to power and ended the century-long war. He has dedicated his rule towards rebuilding the Four Nations in a new era of peace. It is presumed that he also ended the subjugation of the Fire Sages.  

[Dii of Babylon]

Water Tribes::______

Geography of the Water Tribes

The Southern Water Tribe inhabits the South Pole, the Northern Water Tribe inhabits the North Pole and there is also a small population of Waterbenders located in the swamps of the Earth Kingdom. In the tribes of the poles there are short mountain ridges on the inside and on the coast of the islands.

Climate

The Water Tribe's dominant season is winter. To an effect, more Waterbenders are born during winter than any other season and their powers are at their strongest during the season due to the longer nights. In actuality, both polar Tribes experience winter-like weather consistently, with snow falling year-round. The climate of the Northern and Southern Water Tribe is characterized for very low temperatures, sometimes under 0ºC. They have a polar climate; scarce rainfall and snow and the relative humidity in the air is low.

Customs: The Northern Water Tribe

Women become marriageable at the age of 16. Some marriages are arranged, with the bride in particular having no say in the matter. Engaged women wear "betrothal necklaces", navy blue chokers bearing blue stone pendants carved by their husband-to-be. In the Northern Tribe it was forbidden by custom for female Waterbenders to learn waterbending for fighting purposes. Instead, they are trained as Healers, able to use bending to heal wounds. Whether male waterbenders have the right to learn waterbending for healing purposes or not is unknown. Now thanks to the help of the previous Avatar Aang and Katara the Northern tribe is much more accepting. While the Southern Water Tribe seems to have similar traditional roles, they are apparently much more strict in the North.

Customs: The Southern Water Tribe

The Tribe has a unique rite of passage called "Ice Dodging." This is a coming-of-age rite that serves as a young boy's first step in being realized as a true warrior of his tribe. When a male tribe member turns fourteen, he is taken out on a boat with his father and challenged to guide it through iceberg-studded waters. If and when the boy succeeds, he receives a mark on his forehead, symbolizing his defining trait, and is declared a full member of the tribe. The mark of the wise is awarded for leadership quality and making decisions under pressure. The mark of the brave is given for inspirational displays of courage. Finally, the mark of the trust is bestowed upon outsiders who prove themselves worthy of the trust of others.


The Northern Water Tribe

History

Ages ago, Waterbenders built the city as a way to unite all the various Northern Tribes in one place. The Waterbenders used the ice and water to create the various temples, villages, and canals that comprise the city. Important to the city's transportation and defense are the canals. The canals are a series of interconnected waterways that spiral through the city. Boats, powered by Waterbenders, use these waterways to transport people and things. To get into the city from the ocean, boats enter a series of water-locking chambers. Once in, Waterbenders raise the water levels, lifting the boats until the vessel finally reaches the waterways of the Northern Water Tribe. This special entrance ensures that no unwanted ships can make it into the city.

Prior to the war, the Northern Water Tribe was an open port city that was accessible to any visitors. However, when the Fire Nation declared war on the Water Tribes, a thick wall of ice was erected at the mouth of the city as a means to keep the Fire Nation out of the Northern Water Tribe. Since the war began, the Northern Water Tribe has become increasingly isolated, cutting off most of its contact with the outside world and eventually losing touch with the Southern Water Tribe, leaving the battered tribe to fend on its own.

While the Northern Water Tribe did fall under attack from the Fire Nation, the attacks did not succeed as they did against the Southern Water Tribe. After a while, the attacks ceased entirely. The last time Northern warriors recovered Fire Nation uniforms was 85 years ago, and Chief Arnook referred to an impending attack as the day feared for a long time.

In the Siege of the North, the Northern Water Tribe was nearly destroyed when Admiral Zhao led a massive naval assault on the capital city in an attempt to crush the Water Tribes and to kill the Moon Spirit Tui, in an attempt to eradicate Waterbending. The tribe was saved when Avatar Aang, merged with the Ocean Spirit La, destroyed the Fire Navy fleet and when Princess Yue gave up her life to revive Tui, thus becoming Tui's successor.

In the aftermath of the Fire Nation's siege of the North Pole, select benders and healers from the Northern Tribe left for the South Pole in an effort to rebuild their ravaged sister tribe.

Government

Government System: Tribal Chiefdom

Head of State & Government: Chief

The Northern Tribe is a patriarchal monarchy but has the aspects of a tribal group because the Chief is the Head of State. Labor division is dependent on gender: men serve as hunters, fishermen and warriors, and women serve as homemakers. In the Northern Water Tribe, if a woman wanted to learn to fight using Waterbending, she would be denied her wishes. There is a small council that advises to the Tribal Chief, including the tribe's greatest Waterbending master, Pakku. Politics can also be personal. For example, marrying the Chief's daughter, the Tribal Princess, can be a significant step in a political career.

The Southern Water Tribe

History

Originally, the Water Tribe existed as one solely in the North Pole. However, following civil unrest, a group of warriors, benders, and healers journeyed to the South Pole to engender a new tribe. Due to the division, the two sects evolved quite differently. The Southern Water Tribe was once a beautiful city filled with Waterbenders, like the Northern Water Tribe, but was destroyed following the attack from the Fire Nation. The Firebenders came and started to capture as many Waterbenders as they could. Despite being outnumbered, the Waterbenders put up a good fight, like trapping a ship in ice creating The Shipwreck. Apparently their fight wasn't good enough; eventually Hama was the only Waterbender left, and she too was taken.

Contact between the two Tribes was severed and the Southern Tribe was split into smaller groups and scattered across the Pole, its natives reduced to dwelling within simple sealskin tents and small igloos.

Six years ago, the Southern Water Tribe was attacked by the Southern Raiders, an elite Fire Nation naval force assigned to raid the South Pole when ordered to. They learned that there was one remaining waterbender in the South Pole, and were assigned to kill her. This turned out to be young Katara, known now to be the Wife of Avatar Aang. The Water Tribe warriors, led by Chief Hakoda, fought off the attackers bravely, but the leader managed to infiltrate the village. He captured Katara's mother, Kya, and demanded to know who was the Waterbender. Fearing for Katara's life, Kya said she was the last waterbender and was consequently murdered. Katara escaped undiscovered, but her and her family were forever changed by this incident. This is the most recent raid conducted by the Southern Raiders.

The Southern Water Tribe was in dire straits, teetering on the brink of extinction. Its remaining population was dwindling due to Fire Nation raids and was left defenseless, as its warriors left for the Earth Kingdom to aid in the century-long war against the Fire Nation. With the departure of the sole remaining Waterbender, Katara, and warrior, Sokka, with Aang the Avatar, the people consisted mostly of elderly and middle aged women and very young children.

Recently a group of Waterbenders and healers from the Northern Tribe have been sent to the Southern Tribe to help rebuild. With the end of the war, the Southern Water Tribe have started to rebuild their nation with the help of the Northern Benders. Within a few years, the Southern Water Tribe returned into its former glory of the past.

Government

Government System: Tribal Chiefdom

Head of State & Government: Chief

The Foggy Swamp Tribe

History

The Foggy Swamp Tribe is a Waterbending Tribe who live in a mystical swamp in the Earth Kingdom. The swamp itself actually consists, in large part, of a single, massive swamp tree, at least several hundred feet tall, whose roots and tree limbs have spread out for miles to form the foundation of the swamp. Though the Foggy Swamp tribe Waterbenders share the skill of waterbending, they were completely unknown to their polar cousins and vice versa, until Katara, Sokka, and Aang stumbled across the tribe. Though technologically unsophisticated, they are powerful waterbenders. They can use waterbending to propel their river crafts to very high speeds. Members of the Swamp Tribe have also discovered how to bend swamp plants by controlling the water within them. Their diet consists of small game and giant insects, and they keep catgator as pets. The Foggy Swamp Tribe is also very in tune to their natural surroundings and have a keen understanding of the workings of the natural world and a belief that all life is connected and is reliant on each other, a philosophy which they teach Aang, who quickly accepts the concept. Though it's unknown whether they share the same political system as their ancestors (or if they even have one), Huu appears to hold some authority over the other members of the tribe, and it is most likely that they have a chief (probably Huu).

TrThe Foggy Swamp Tribe's ancestry lies in the Southern Water Tribe. Thousands of years ago, a group migrated from the Southern Tribe and found the Swamp. Feeling comfortable because of the large amount of water, they decided to stay. This information, however, has been lost to both tribes' history, resulting in neither of the two knowing the other exists.

During the final year of the War, Avatar Aang and his friends rediscovered the tribe after they got lost in the swamp. Instructed by Sokka, Hakoda was able to find and contact the Swamp Tribe, recruiting them to help with the Fire Nation invasion during the eclipse. These participants, along with the rest of the invaders, were captured by the Fire Nation when the attack failed. However, they were all released after the War ended, and in turn represented the tribe at Zuko's coronation as Fire Lord.

It is most likely that females are allowed to Waterbend in this tribe too as, although they don't know it, Foggy Swamp Tribe members are descended from the Southern Water Tribe and will have probably kept the tradition of equality. Also, when Due found out that Katara is a waterbender like him, he didn't show any surprise at finding a female waterbender fighting him, he just expressed delight in finding another waterbender.

Contact between the polar Water Tribes and the Swamp one was established a few years after the War. Now, free travel is allowed between the three tribes.

The Foggy Swamp Tribe currrently have no Government or system of government.
 

[Dii of Babylon]

Air Nomads::______

Geography of the Air Temples

The four Air Temples, one at each corner of the globe, are hidden away atop mountain ranges in the northern Earth Kingdom and on three remote islands or archipelagos.

Climate

The Air Nomad's dominant season is autumn. Airbenders are strongest in this season. More Air Nomad children were born during autumn than any other season, all retaining bending abilities. The climate of all the Air Temples is similar, with a Mediterranean temperate climate. Rains have not been seen in any temple, but it was snowing in the Northern Air Temple.

Culture

While other nations possess royalty and are run by monarchies, the Air Nomads are led by the senior monks of the Air Temples, i.e. by a theocracy. Many hints suggest that the Air Nomads are based on Chinese Shaolin Monks and Tibetan culture due to their peaceful nature, monk-ruled society, and geographical isolation due to elevation.

The Air Nomads are the only nation comprised entirely of benders, due to the highly spiritual nature of their lives. Meditation was an important part of the Airbenders' daily routines, as it helped them to focus their energies and understand the potency of their element.

It has been mentioned that they have a good sense of humor, a fact shown when Monk Gyatso employed a unique teaching method when tutoring Aang with his Airbending skills — accurately blowing fruit pies onto other monks' heads. Useful training and a fun game combined.

The arrow tattoos adorning an Air Nomad's body signifies that he or she has mastered Airbending. This is an emulation of the natural arrows on the heads of Flying Bison revered by the Air Nomads who can naturally Airbend and are the original teachers of the art, much like the Badgermole is to the Earthbenders. Aspiring Airbenders have no tattoos. In order to receive the tattoos as well as the title of a master, an Airbender must pass the thirty-six levels of Airbending along with engendering a new technique. In actuality, Aang had only reached the thirty-fifth level before he left the Jongmu Temple, but his invention of the Air Scooter earned him the tattoos prematurely, making him the youngest Airbending master in history.

History

At the start of the war the Airbender Society was completely and utterly wiped out leaving Avatar Aang to be the last remaining airbender. During the war a group of Earth Nation refugees took shelter in the Eastern Air Temple. They remain there today, not as refugees but as members of the new Airbender population. The Airbenders are starting to be replenished. However it is still very rare to meet an Airbender.

Government

Government System: Monastic Theocracy

Head of State & Government: 2 Councils of Monks (1 Northern & 1 Southern) & 2 Councils of Sisters (1 Eastern & 1 Western)

Religious Authority: 2 Councils of Monks (1 Northern & 1 Southern) & 2 Councils of Sisters (1 Eastern & 1 Western)

Southern Air Temple

History

Located in the remote Patola Mountain Range (Air Nomad Territory), the Southern, Jongmu Air Temple, supposedly only accessible via Flying Bison, was the boyhood home of the current Avatar, Aang, and his father-like mentor, Monk Gyatso.

The Southern Air Temple was also home to Avatar Roku who needed a place to learn and master the art of Airbending.

The Temple was raided early in the war during Fire Lord Sozin's genocide on the Air Nomads. The sole known survivor of the massacre was the very person the Fire Nation sought to kill in its quest for supremacy: the twelve-year-old Airbender and Avatar, Aang, who had run away from the Southern Air Temple shortly before the war began and became trapped in suspended animation. He has since revived and begun a quest to restore balance and peace to the warring nations.

Northern Air Temple

History

It was home to the Flying Bison polo championships in the days when the monks lived in it. After the extermination of the monks, the temple was rediscovered by The Mechanist and his group of refugees. During the years the refugees lived in it, some were eventually seen by other Earth Kingdom villagers, who came to call those they saw gliding as "Air Walkers". The Mechanist used the gliders within to give his paraplegic son Teo a new life in the air. However, he was extorted for weapons manufacture by the Fire Nation, who threatened to attack if he did not comply. He hid the machines in what was formerly the Sanctuary of the temple, unknown to the temple's other residents. Aang and the others discover the weapons cache and convince him to revolt against the Fire Nation, with the promise of protecting the temple from attack.

The Northern Temple was modified by the Mechanist to house more people than before, and many of the original structures were destroyed or expanded to help accommodate the new residents. The temple also underwent many technological "upgrades", as the Mechanist added new inventions to help make the lives of the residents easier. The new changes anger Aang at first, who sees it as a violation of the temple's original sanctity, but in the end he decides that the refugees are like the hermit crabs that inhabit the temple's corridors, and is happy that they have found this empty shell and made it their home, and helps to defend them against the Fire Nation. When The Mechanist and Sokka ignite a natural gas pocket to repel the Fire Nation, the resulting explosion seems to destroy the only path to the temple, there by protecting it from future attacks by the Fire Nation.

Eastern Air Temple

History

Along with the Western Air Temple, it exclusively housed female Airbenders and was home to Sister Iio. When Aang, the current Avatar, was to be separated from his mentor, Monk Gyatso, the elders of the Southern Air Temple had decided to send Aang to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training without Gyatso's fatherly influence. However, before they could do this, Aang overheard their plans and ran away.

This temple was destroyed by the Fire Nation after Fire Lord Sozin declared war on the other three nations 100 years ago. He used the powers of a comet to wipe out the Air Nomads residing in the temple. Out of all of the existing Air Temples, the Eastern Air Temple suffered the worst damage.

As seen in the episode "Appa's Lost Days", the Eastern Air Temple was where Aang chose Appa as a Sky Bison partner and is probably where Appa was born. In the present day, Guru Pathik has waited there for a few years awaiting the Avatar's advent, because he saw a vision of himself helping the Avatar in his future. Interestingly, the Guru wore clothes of the same color as those of the Airbenders, and claimed to have important information for Aang.

Western Air Temple

History

Aang and his friends headed to the Western Air Temple for a safe place to stay after the unsuccessful invasion. It was there that Zuko began his search for the Avatar following his banishment. Ironically, after following the remnants of the invasion force there, Zuko decided to join Aang, pledging to teach him firebending.

Combustion Man attacked this temple in hopes of eliminating the Avatar and his gang. Thanks in part to Zuko's intervention on their behalf and Sokka's expertise at using a boomerang, Combustion Man was defeated and killed when the building he was on exploded and fell into the nearby canyon. The temple suffered extensive damage from the attack but is still largely intact. The group spends several nights there.

Later, Azula leads an attack on the temple, battling her brother and forcing the rest of the group to flee. After one of her blast clashes with an equally powerful blast from Zuko, both of them are thrown off the Airship. Zuko is saved by the group, who was flying on Appa, and Azula uses her Firebending to propel herself towards the cliffside, using her hair piece as a hook to slow the fall. The attack resulted in quite a large amount of damage, but the extent is unknown. It is known that the remnants of the fountain were completely destroyed.