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Post by Saijin on Jul 28, 2008 1:48:03 GMT -5
/Avarage Apperance\
As we all know the World of Avatar is very Chinese influence, and the Fire Nation is no expection to this. Like the names of most citizens and roalty alike they have very chinese like names but it doesn't stop at that for their clothing and apperance is very similar to their culture as well. Women wear their hair in various updos, usually simple and elegant in style. Men have various hairstyles, however, many men, usually those of importance and higher class wear a traditional bun or top-knot. Buns are also quite common in hairstyles for both genders. Fashion in the Fire Nation mimics traditional Chinese elements as well. Layers of various colors, coats, and traditional pieces of armor are common elements in their style, as in Chinese traditional clothing. Citizens and rulers of the Fire Nation wear colors ranging from black, to brown, to various reds, very often accented by gold lining or jewelry. Skin complexion is usually fair, however sparingly ranges to tan and darker brown. Those from the Fire Nation have amber eyes.
/Culture\
Agni Kai
Among Firebenders, or at least those of the upper-class, conflicts and disputes of honor are settled by a challenge to an Agni Kai, or "fire duel," a traditional Firebender duel that is centuries old. Such a match is conducted in an open-air arena at sunset and may be witnessed by spectators. The goal in these duels is to knock an opponent off-balance, and incapacitate with a final blow. The duels have claimed the lives of countless Firebenders, and they've been even more unforgiving to those who show mercy on their opponents.
Education
The Fire Nation expresses a formal education system which overall is quite similar to real-life school systems. High class public schools can be found on the outer islands, which equate to the upper class suburbs of the Fire Nation. Students in certain schools begin the educational process as soon as they begin firebending, or for non-benders, as soon as they begin walking. Subjects including history, music, etiquette, warfare, and firebending are taught to the students by various teachers.
Back while Ozai was still in rule the educational system was also a "mind-molding" process, causing students to develop a strong sense of nationalism and loyalty to the Fire Lord. Teachers maintain rigid discipline and order and refuse to teach the students the art of dance or any form of self-expression. In addition, censorship and propaganda can be found in articles within history books. Although now that Zuko has claimed the crown, he makes sure that his nations' furture minds grow to learn all they can instead of just believeing in his father's ideals.
/Government\
The Fire Nation is ruled with an iron fist by the latest in a long lineage of Firebenders, with the most recent leader being Zuko. The title of the Fire Lord is passed down to each generation's eldest son through one family. However the former Fire Lord, Ozai, was the second eldest son as he managed to scheme his way to the throne and usurp his older brother Iroh's birthright. Also unknown to the general public is the fact that the current royal family shares its lineage with Avatar Roku, Princess Ursa's grandfather. Known Fire Lords are Sozin, Azulon, Ozai, Azula, and Zuko.
In the beginning of the Fire Nation history, the sun warriors lived on the land that is the fire nation. Later, the sages controlled the land with the grand sage (firelord) being in charge.
The Fire Nation's current 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 global empire. They are not above employing genocide to accomplish this goal, having already eliminated the entire nation of Air Nomads, driving the Southern Water Tribe to the brink of extinction, having only one waterbender left, and also planning to burn the entire Earth Kingdom to the ground, with the help of the energy boosts provided by Sozin's Comet.
However, the Fire Nation was not always the tyrannical, militaristic embodiment it is today. Then, a millennia ago, 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 relegated primarily to spiritual matters but nonetheless still retained some political power over the Nation, with tensions between the two sects increasing with every generation.
The 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.
On the day of Sozin's comet, Phoenix King Ozai was defeated by Aang in battle and placed in a high security Fire Nation prison. His son, Zuko, became the fire lord. Zuko as fire lord, has officially stopped the 100 year imperialist war is now continuing in his struggle on his plans of a new era of peace. Through out the past five years he has continued to try and soften the tension between the other nations and his own, but he knows even with the Avatar's help it is no easy task.
/Military\
The Fire Nation military is the strongest of the Four Nations. A key component of this factor is that as a result of the society's advancements, it stands as also the first nation to possess a mechanized armed force. The Fire Nation military makes active use of armored naval vessels as well as a variety of land-based war machines and vehicles and are the only nation to have an air force.
Using a fiery comet that greatly enhanced their powers, they succeeded in wiping out the Air Nomads early in the war. Though the Fire Nation fought on two fronts against the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom, they still had the upper hand. As the war draged on, it became clear that the Fire Nation would eventually win if the Avatar does not intervene. The Water Tribe did not have the military might to directly challenge the Fire Nation, and as of The Crossroads of Destiny, the vast Earth Kingdom has lost its last great military stronghold to the Fire Nation.
Army
The Fire Nation's army comprises non-bender foot soldiers, who normally wield spears, swords, and shields, and Firebenders. The majority of Firebending soldiers wear white faceplates shaped like abstract skulls, while ranking officers do not. Both have spiked fire crests on the front of their helmets. Normal soldiers wear cone shaped helmets without masks. It is a possibility that a soldier's skull mask is also used for psychological warfare due to their frightening appearance. For practicality, the faceplates can be removed from the helmets. Additionally, troops are shown to retain different sets of uniforms pertaining to the season or climate of the region that they are situated in. Elite Firebenders who serve as the Fire Lord's Royal Procession wear red, highly stylized armor all over, and have three-eyed faceplates. Their cavalry ride Komodo Rhinos. These creatures are a mix between a large rhinoceros and a komodo dragon, and have three horns like a Triceratops and a long whip-like tail. Outfitted with heavy armor around the face, they're used for pulling carts and carrying people, both for war and civilian purposes. Fire Nation soldiers mount these frightening beasts to terrorize their enemies.
Yu Yan Archers
The Yu Yan Archers are Colonel Shinu's highly skilled unit of tattooed archers, and are, according to Zhao, "capable of pinning a fly to a tree from 100 yards (91 m) away without killing it." It also resembles the skills of a famous archer who lived in ancient China. Records comment after being told by his archery teacher that his vision needed to be trained until something impossibly small looked large, "Ji Chang hung a flea from the window frame by a hair and facing south, watched it. In a couple of weeks it seemed larger, and after three years of practice, it seemed like a cartwheel ... Then he took a bow ... and shot [at the flea]. He hit the middle of the flea and the hair did not even break."
Navy
As a result of being an island culture and primarily situated near large bodies of water, the Fire Nation has developed a powerful naval force. The Fire Nation's navy is comprised of hundreds of coal-powered ironclad warships. In addition to its sturdy properties, the Fire Nation's use of metallurgy to remove impurities from the metal ensures that Earthbenders cannot damage their ships with their powers. These vessels serve many purposes, from ferrying and disembarking troops to providing bombardment with their catapults to creating blockades.
Among various watercrafts in the Fire Nation's naval arsenal is the jet ski. Designed to accommodate two passengers, highly maneuverable, and able to travel at very high speeds, these metallic, steam-powered jet skis are honed for short-range water travel in rivers, lakes or coastal areas and warfare. However, the vehicles are generally used by domestic forces for patrolling waterfront population areas rather than in heavy combat.
Information is thanks to those at Wikipedia
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Post by Saijin on Jul 28, 2008 1:56:41 GMT -5
Fire Bending
Firebending moves are based mainly on the style of Northern Shaolin kung fu, but with a few techniques from Northern Seven Star Praying Mantis. These martial arts feature quick, successive attacks that exert extreme power for just a moment (much like an explosion, called ging lik). It optimizes a strong continuous offense, sacrificing defense for greater power, the principle behind a preemptive strike.
Firebenders use their internal body heat as a source of their bending to create fire. This facet of Firebending is in sharp contrast to the other bending arts, which manipulate already present representations of their element (though firebenders can control or enhance flames nearby). Unlike other bending disciplines, firebending has few defensive moves aside from blocking and dodging, although master firebenders are able to create walls of fire to absorb incoming attacks or shooting down incoming projectiles.
Firebending uses concentrated barrages of fire to overwhelm opponents before striking a fatal blow. Swift, whirling kicks and punches generate diverse shapes for offensive attacks.
According to Iroh, fire is the element of Power. Firebending is practiced by those with desire and will.
/Fighting Style\
Fireballs
Jabs and punches produce miniature fireballs and missiles of flame. These can be charged up (refer to Charged Attacks) to create larger slower bursts, or swift repetitive strikes to keep opponents off balance.
Blazing Rings & Arcs
Spinning kicks or sweeping arm movements create rings and arcs to slice larger, more widely spaced, or evasive targets.
Jets of Fire
Firebenders can shoot continuous jets of fire from their fingertips, fists or palms. Fire Nation soldiers are often seen using this technique to damage or destroy villages or towns.
Fire Daggers
Creating blowtorch like jets from the fist or fingertips to use as close range sword-like attacks. These lack the ability to actually block physical objects though.
Fire Whip
An extension of a fire jet, this continuous stream of flame can be used as a whip.
Fire Absorption
Absorbing and extinguishing flames, both as a control of ones own attack and to counter or deflect those of other firebenders. Apparently this can only be performed on ones seen coming, the more powerful the flame the more difficult it is to control.
Shield of Fire
Creates a protective fire shield around the front of, or whole body of a Firebender that can deflect attacks and explosions. May be a less powerful version of the Wall of flames.
Heat Control
Certain advanced Firebenders appear to have the ability to control heat. Using this technique, Firebenders can heat liquids, like water or tea, heat metal to scalding temperatures, or melt ice. Controlling heat may be related to Sozin's Heat Absorption technique.
Blocking Fire
A skilled Firebender can diffuse an oncoming fire blast from another Firebender with a swift kick, jab, or defensive movements, allowing them to stop attacks.
/Firebending Master Level\
Fire Disks
A whirling disk of flame, used at long range. Only Azula has shown the ability to create these.
Charged Attacks
Certain Firebenders have been shown charging their attacks before releasing them, allowing them to create enormous blasts of fire.
Wall of Flames
One of firebendings few defensive abilities, either a situated explosion or controlled inferno, this wall concentrated flames acts as a barrier to incoming attacks. It may be a more powerful version of a Fire Sheild. It not only protects against attacks, but when used right, can be used to stealthily escape from foes.
Heat Absorption
Only seen performed by Fire Lord Sozin, maybe unique to him or simply an advanced technique. Heat absorption allows for the absorption of heat from one source by one hand and passing through ones body and out the the other hand. Used to cool down the lava during the eruption that destroyed Avatar Roku's town. It appears to operate on a similar principle to Iroh's redirection of lightning.
Fire Augmentation
Firebenders can also control the size and intensity of any nearby flames and can draw them in and manipulate them at will.
/Special Firebending techniques\
Fire Breath
Resembling an exhaling flames, the breath of fire involves the user firebending out of his or her mouth, mixing air from the lungs with the flame creating a wider, hotter blast. With its wide, encompassing range of fire, the technique allows for staving off multiple opponents and is also shown to be able to instantaneously warm the body even under extremely cold temperatures.
Jet Propulsion
A skill shown by Azula, and later by her father Ozai, it is the ability to shoot her fire from the hands and legs, propelling the firebender at high speeds on the ground or through the air
Lightning
is a technique within Firebending, with which Firebenders are able to produce and direct a bolt of lightning from their fingertips. For More about Lightning >Click here<
/Weaknesses\
Poor Breath Control
It is said that true Firebending power comes not from physical size nor strength, but rather from the very control of one's breath. Firebender discipline stresses self-restraint and breath control as a means of directing and containing the fire manifested. Poor breath control means dangerously poor control of any fire generated. For this reason, breathing exercises are one of the most critical first steps for beginning Firebenders.
Though anger and rage or other intense emotions can amplify the power of firebending it can lead to dangerous explosions or wildfires and cause any nearby flames to burn out of control. The enlightened firebending master Jeong Jeong repeatedly stressed this importance during his instruction of Aang, who accidentally burned Katara when he refused to listen.
Lack of Defense
The major combat weakness behind the applied art of Firebending is its confrontational nature. Due to its aggressiveness and pursuit of continuous assault, it traditionally lacks defensive techniques, which can leave a bender considerably vulnerable to enemy counterattacks, though masters such as Jeong Jeong can effectively use Firebending for defense. It also consumes a vast amount of energy leaving the bender at a considerable disadvantage in a prolonged battle. A common mark of a firebending master is the ability to sustain attacks for long periods.
Lack of Drive
In order to Firebend properly, one must have their 'inner fire', their drive, without which one's Firebending becomes weak.
Solar Eclipse
Its connection to the sun results in a lessening of strength during the night, and a complete loss of Firebending during a solar eclipse.
Extreme Cold
As seen in The Boiling Rock, Part 1 and The Boiling Rock, Part 2 cold temperatures reduce a Firebender's abilities; the prison on the Boiling Rock uses insulated chambers (the coolers) and piped in cold air as a punishment for those prisoners who use Firebending.
Other Circumstances
A Firebender's power include any situation which might extinguish their flames, such as being underwater or caught in the rain.
>>Information thanks to AvatarWiki<<
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