Book Four: Air

BOOK FOUR: AIR

RATING: T

SUMMARY

The Hundred Year War is finally over. Now is a time of rebuilding and, hopefully, of peace.

But things are never that simple. The sins of war are not so soon forgotten. The Fire Nation is threatened by possible civil war. Rogue soldiers plague the war-torn Earth Kingdom. The Water Tribes struggle to come together as one.

And in the midst of it all, the gAang struggles to survive, as those seeking vengeance, political agendas, and otherwise seek their heads.

This is Book Four: Air...

***

RULES

1. You are responsible for your character and your character alone. Do not write for another player's character or force another player to act. In other words, no god-modding.

2. Original characters are accepted and encouraged. However, please post a character sheet before posting, so that I may accept him/her or suggest possible changes. We do not need Mary Sues. The character sheets should appear like so:

NAME:
AGE:
APPEARANCE:
PERSONALITY:
HISTORY:
BENDER (if applicable):
WEAPONRY (if applicable):

3. Canon characters go on a first come, first serve basis. If the character you wish for is already taken, you will have to choose another, or speak with the player currently in control. If you wish to play a canon character that is not on the current list of characters, let me know.

4. Please use story-format posts, with at least three sentences in each post.

5. You are limited to only TWO main canon characters. Secondary canon characters do not have this limit imposed on them. By main canon characters, I mean the likes of Iroh, Ty Lee, Zuko, Azula, and others. By secondary canon characters, I mean those such as Haru, Teo, the Duke, and others. This rule is to make things fair for newer players, so that they may have a chance at main canon characters. This rule is subject to change, especially once the RPG takes off and when characters are needed.

***

CHARACTER LIST

Canon Characters

Aang: Alec
Katara: manysidestone
Sokka: almostinsane
Toph: Big T
Zuko: manysidestone
Iroh: nando_c_s
Suki: Magus1108
Mai: Alec
Ty Lee:
Azula:
Hakoda: Magus1108
Longshot: almostinsane
Ozai: Fire Lord
Long Feng: Magus1108

Original Characters

Wuong: Magus1108
Jing: Magus1108
Azon: Fire Lord
Samanya: Plaguewalker

I'd like to have Zuko, Long Feng, and I'll probably make some OCs. Hmm...and Hakoda too please. I'd also like to try my hand at Suki please.

I've got you down, Magus. Welcome aboard!

I'd like Longshot and Sokka.

I would like Mai and Aang if that's all right.

Okay, almostinsane and Alec, you guys are down. Welcome aboard!

Also, I am thinking about limiting the number of MAIN canon characters (i.e. the ones we see most in the series) to two, and possibly even one if we run into any problems. This is to be fair to other players.

Could we possibly throw Ozai in there? If so then I'll take him. I'll be making an OC as well.

Yes, you may have Ozai, Fire Lord. And whenever you are ready, just post your OC's information.

Welcome aboard!

Ok, in spite of the fact I think all hell might break loose, I'd like to try my hand at Katara.

You are down, manysidestone. And welcome aboard!

I guess I should take this time to talk a little bit about pairings. In the beginning, canon pairings will be, well, canon. That means: Kataang, Maiko, and Sukka. However, as with life, things CAN change. I will allow them, so long as it makes sense and is in-character, and respectful.

That being said, as Fire Lord and Magus can tell you, this RPG creator is VERY partial to Tokka. Just saying. XD

Name: Wuong
Age: 44
Appearance:
Nation: Fire Nation
Bender?/What kind?: Yes, Fire
Personality: Wuong seems like a kind man. He seems to care for the people he has been called to represent.
History: Wuong was born in the Colonies, and was the governor of a built colony in the EK. Unlike most he vocally protest the war, though he was never assassinated by the Fire Nation or tried to be silenced. It is still unknown how he escaped from that kind of fate. Now Wuong has been elected as the Colonies' representative in the talks between the EK and the Fire Nation, to decide what to do with the colonies.
Weapons: A black sword, passed down through the generations of his family.

I may make another OC or two. Oh, and you forgot to put me down for Long Feng Big T. By the way, mind I transfer some OCs from the Swords of Agni to here Big T?

I am sorry about that, Magus. I will add Long Feng to the list. And, yes, you can transfer some OCs. Just be sure to post their sheets here. I know them, but it would be nice for others to take a look too.

And Fire Lord is right. I made the new rule, which I need to add, after you requested the characters. I apologize for that. I say you can keep them for now, but keep two in mind that you really want, so that if the time comes someone can have one of the others.

Also, we have quite a few spots taken. Already! So we may start soon, if not tomorrow.

True. On second thought, I do believe I don't want Zuko. Oh and thanks Big T.

No problem, Magus. ^_^

Username: Magus1108
Name: Jing
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Bender: Yes, Earth
Appearance: Long, dark hair which she keeps hidden under her robes.
History: Jing was born to a poor Earth Kingdom family in Ba Sing Se. Her parents were originally from outside of Ba Sing Se, but the city they had lived in was taken over by the Fire Nation in the First War. They came to Ba Sing Se as refugees.

Life was not easy for her. Most of the time she had to steal to help support her family. When she was twelve, she first showed signs of being an earthbender, but her family couldn't afford to find and pay someone to teach her. She learned some stuff on her own, but never advanced to higher levels until she was eighteen. When she turned eighteen, her father was arrested for stealing from a merchant and was put to death.

Her mother and herself were arrested shortly after this event when the Dai Li caught them stealing. Jing did her best to fight off the Dai Li with what earthbender skills she had, but it was in vain. She was taken to prison and spent three days there until two Dai Li agents came for her. Long Feng had heard of her abilities and offered her a deal: train and become a Dai Li agent, or rot in prison for the rest of her life.

Seeing as she had no other choice but death, she accepted. For the next two years she trained until she improved her earthbending powers enough to become a full member of the Dai Li. For several years she served, being one of the only female Dai Li agents. When Azula's coup happened, she fled Ba Sing Se, for she didn't want to work for the Fire Nation.

During and after the war, she became a mercenary. Now she currently serves her former master Long Feng for reasons that are unknown, as well as another smaller sect of Dai Li agents.

Weapons: Two daggers, a posion dart, and a sword hidden under her robe. She is rusty in her sword skills, and only uses her sword as a last resort.

Jing has been added Magus. You might want to change some of her history, though. The War has only been over for about six months or so.

And something else, before we start this thing in earnest. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for plots in this puppy?

Done. Oh, I think I have an idea. I did have an idea Wuong could bring up, upon meeting with the Fire Lord and EK officials.

I want Iroh! Can I?

Sure thing, nando_c_s. I'll put you down as Iroh.

I think I may have an idea for a plot we could do. Perhaps the (made) colonies in the Earth Kingdom decided, via majority vote, they want to succeed from the Fire Nation and form their own independent nation in the Earth Kingdom? The reasoning behind this could be this: after hearing what Ozai wanted to do with the Earth Kingdom without evacuating the colonies, that could have sparked off a hate of the current government in the Fire Nation. This spark could have been fanned by certain people, and the end result was the colonies crying for succession. The main leaders of said succession movement don't view Fire Lord Zuko much better than his father. They believe that anyone related to that man could have the potential to became the next Phoenix King, and thus do not trust Zuko.

How's that for an idea? Another idea I had was a civil war brewing in the Earth Kingdom, secretly led by Long Feng.

(Or we could wing it. I personally don't like knowing the entirety of the plot before the rp starts. So if you have a suggestion, send it to Big T via P.M from now on)

I like both ideas, Magus. We should use them, and at the very least keep them in mind.

And, yes, you can send ideas to me via PM. It might be better that way. We don't want to clutter up this thread.

Anyway, I think we have enough players to start this beast. We still need a Zuko. Until someone volunteers to take him, however, he will be open for all of us to use.

***

It was early spring, but the sun was warm on the beaches and forests of Whaletail Island. The roar of the surrounding sea dimmed the noise of hustle and bustle in the city, which was set in the midst of rolling hills and fringes of jungle. Shouts echoed below, near the surf, where a large docking system ran along the cove at the edge of the bay.

Toph yawned, feet dangling off the low wall separating the outskirts of the city--Lo Shan--from the wharfs. Despite all the activity surrounding her, she seemed half asleep. Only those who knew her, and that was a small number on this tiny island in the middle of nowhere, would realize she was anything but unaware.

Whatever happened around her, Toph had a way of knowing about it. It frightened some of the people living and stationed on Whaletail Island. They were a supersitious lot, for the most part, clinging to the old ways, and she had overheard several whispers of "witch-child" whenever she passed.

Toph ignored them. Or she tried to. It was hard to ignore what you heard from even a distance.

As it was, it did not matter what the people of the island thought. She had a duty, and one she would see through to the best of her ability. Doing well with her work meant she could put off going home, for good, a bit longer.

And that work entailed being a bodyguard for an arriving Representative. The Representative of the Earth Kingdom Colonies, to be exact. His name was Wuong, or something along those lines, and he was expected to arrive some time today.

His arrival heralded the beginning of a very important meeting. The Hundred Year War was over, and had been for over six months now, but a great deal of rebuilding was needed. Peace was a very shaky business these days. One problem that needed tending to, and quickly and well, was the matter of the Fire Nation Colonies in the Earth Kingdom.

What was to be done with them?

So this meant a great deal of diplomacy, negotiations, and talks. And thus it also meant there would be a lot of arguing. This was a delicate subject, after all, and emotions were hot on both sides. Some believed the Fire Nation colonies should stay, while others wanted these people back in the Fire Nation.

Toph had her own thoughts on the matter. But she was not very good at diplomacy, and she had a feeling her opinions were not popular for an Earth Kingdom citizen to have, so she wisely kept her mouth shut.

What she thought did not matter anyway. She was here not only a representative of the Earth Kingdom nobility, and as a Companion to the Avatar, but as a friend to Fire Lord Zuko. She had been chosen specifically, by Zuko, to protect the Representative of the Colonies.

Because, apparently, there had been threats against his life. Fun stuff like that. She didn't think an assassin would be stupid enough to sneak here, not with so many other guards and militia stationed here for this diplomatic council, but she had learned a lot in the War.

Don't take chances.

And so here she was waiting on some old man. Alone.

Well. She had been alone for quite a while.

Bitterness welled up inside Toph. She knew it was wrong of her, but at times she just didn't care. It seemed as if once the War was over, the others all paired up and left her behind. She had not seen much of them since their small get-to-gether in Iroh's teashop.

She would never say, aloud, that she had been hurt by the seeming abandonment by people she thought had cared for her. But she had been, and still was.

No one needed the blind earthbender, apparently, unless it was to break down steel doors, train Avatars, or escort and guard old men.

Toph let loose a breath of air. She rubbed her face, scowling, and mentally kicked herself for thinking that way. Of course her friends cared about her. They were just busy. Rebuilding a world torn apart by war was hard work, and it took them to all ends of the nations. She had been busy, too.

But still... Couldn't they send a letter once in a while, or come visit her, let her know they thought about her as much as she did them?

And why did he, the guy who was supposed to be her best friend, have to go gallivanting off to some stupid island, and have adventures, without her?

That had hurt her most of all.

Toph knew she was selfish. But after not having friends for all her life, until only a year ago, she figured she had a right to be selfish about this one thing.

It just wasn't fair.

Maybe... Maybe they would be here for the council. Aang was the Avatar, and Zuko would definitely be here. That was something, at least...

"Lady Toph."

A voice interrupted her brooding thoughts. "What?" she grumped.

The soldier was not put off by her foul mood. He cleared his throat. "The ship has been spotted. It is approaching the harbor."

"Right then." Toph jumped down from the wall, and dusted off her clothes. "Let's go and greet the Representative, shall we?"

NAME: Azon
AGE: Looks to be 18
GENDER: Male

APPEARANCE:

PERSONALITY: Azon may be young, but he has the wisdom of a thousand lifetimes. He often talks in riddles or deep truths, revealing people's inner most secrets despite them speaking very little. He ranges from gentlemenlike, to abrupt and rude, all depending upon the moment.

He has an urge to lend a hand whenever one is needed, and is an overall kind person.

HISTORY: Ask Azon, and he'll tell you that he was born in a small Earth Kingdom village somewhere near the western coast. He had a life full of protection and battle, as the war with the Fire Nation consumed his village's priority. According to him, he can't remember his parents, and pretends he didn't have any.

He wandered the world, appearing throughout every nation and several times upon the ocean. His wisdom is beyond any elder, and he's resolved problems and offered guidance to whoever asked for it. Not only would he offer wisdom, but seemed to be able to bring back the recently killed, and breath life into barren landscapes where crops would no grow.

Because of this, people called him a Sage. The strange thing is, people have recorded seeing the legendary Sage Azon for many generations.

Most likely it is many people all taking on the same title...

BENDER: No, but seems to have a strong connection the Spirit World, far greater than even Guru Patnik.

WEAPONRY: He carries no weapon on him, but is skilled in the sword and bow.

Wuong

Wuong stepped off of his ship. He gave a sigh of relief. Finally, he was here. Nothing bad had happened. No unexpected pirate attacks, no hit and runs from rogue Fire Nation milita, nothing. Good, it seemed the will of the people would be able to reach the Fire Lord's ears as hoped for. Wuong just hoped that things didn't go bad from here. What the colonies wanted could be taken as treason. If the new Fire Lord was anything like his father, this may not bode well for the citizens of the colonies...but Zuko was supposedly a reformst, unlike his father. He had ended the war, after all. Maybe he could still hope for the best.

((Where should I have Hakoda and Suki?))