Avatar: The Last Dicebender (A:TLA/A:LOK Quest)

Fire. Air. Water. Earth.

"When I was a boy, my father –– Avatar Aang –– told me the story of how he and his friends heroically ended the Hundred-Year War. Avatar Aang and Firelord Zuko transformed the Fire Nation colonies into the United Republic of Nations; a society where benders and nonbenders would live and thrive together in peace and harmony. They named the capital of this great land: Republic City. Avatar Aang accomplished many remarkable things in his life, but sadly, his time in this world came to an end. And like the cycle of the seasons, the cycle of the Avatar began anew..."

---

165 AG, Spring.

You try again. Snapping your whole body into position with a jury-rigged degree of rigor, you begin to fluidly wave your hands forward; your left following your right and with your palms facing downward.


The sand in front of you jumps forward with tumultuous power. It flies into the air, scattering across the desert. You perform the move again in a different direction, and then again and again. Sand flies into the four cardinal directions, only to once again lay on the hot desert sands.

Time to kick. Standing firmly and lowly on one leg, you drag the tip of your other foot forward across the sand. As your foot flies by it, the sand magnetizes to it and follows in a wave that flies far away from the range of your foot and in a quantity far bigger than a normal kick would allow.

Next, you repeat the hand movements again. And then the kick. And then, once again, you repeat the whole thing.

You get sweaty and tired eventually. You decide to end for today. One hour of training is enough. You turn around and look over the hill.

Walls of three-meter-tall sandstone surround tens of one-to-three story buildings densely packed together to create a suburban desert city image. Even from a distance, you can tell the streets aren't very wide. There is little wood to the buildings' construction save for some scarce support beams and a few doors. You smile.

The sound of feet moving across sand catches your ear. You look to your left, intercepting the source of the sound.

"Dad," you say, with no particular emotion in the word.

"Tié, you shouldn't wander off. The deserts are dangerous, especially in this part of the year," he warns.

You look down and consider. Without looking at him, you nod once, "I know. I was just training my sandbending."

He nods back without word.

Being the son of the tribe leader isn't easy. People have expectations for you. You get lost in this thought, while your dad steps closer and without turning his body, looks at your village. The sun's rays shine through the dark cream-colored cloak on his face that covers all of it save his eyes, on which he has black goggles. You can't tell whether he's smiling or frowning under that cloak.

"Have you seen your sister anywhere?" he asks very suddenly.

You look up at him. Worry fills the back of your mind, just a little. Siph has a severe case of getting-into-trouble-itis. It's a deadly disease that causes you to find dangers and problems wherever you go. Oh, well - you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.

"No."

He nods. Your father – Makiw – is a silent man. He rarely says more than is required.

After several seconds of thoughtful staring, he looks at you. Even through the goggles, you can tell his gaze is stern. "Don't stay out here for too long, okay?"

"I was going to go back soon," you say, then offer warmly, "Want to go back together?" Your cheeks redden a bit and a smile forms on your lips.

"Of course. Let's go."

Dad leads you downhill. In three minutes of a silent walk together, the two of you are in the village. It isn't bustling. People are either out in the desert looking for food, in the Misty Palms Oasis, or out in the desert doing who knows what. The tribe isn't exactly united. Just because Makiw is the chieftain doesn't mean he can infringe on your tribesmen's free will. His words are merely suggestions and his control over the men of the tribe is merely as much as they allow him to have.

That said, most follow his advice. If not out of tradition, then out of respect for his immense awareness and intellect.

Dad leads you home. Your house is impressive for the local community. Several, knitted carpets lay on the hard, sandstone floor. There are several, circular windows cut out from the sand, with crosses from wood in their middle. There are several pieces of wooden furniture, like a table and some chairs. In the corner, there is a small couch from sandstone, with several cushions and pillows scattered on it to make it a little bit more comfortable.

Your mom is waiting for you with dinner steaming and ready for consumption. Giant desert beetle meat and water. To most, a humble and bizarre meal. Out here, a delicacy.

As mom lays your plate in front of you, she asks, "How are you today?"

"I was training sandbending on the hill. Maybe if I learn enough, I can join the Earth Kingdom military one day?"

Your dad smiles and quietly snickers at the hopes you laid out in front of him, prompting a cold glare from your mom that shuts him up. Your mom smiles kindly but doesn't laugh. "I am sure you can," she says.

Your dad speaks his mind, "Don't join the military. It's a waste of time. They would make cannon fodder out of you. If you decide that you want to use your bending to find work, try Republic City," he says very decisively. "Earthbenders, even Sandbenders like us, can learn to bend metal. You do that son, and they'll take you into the police force. You can make a good living that way."

Sida - your mom scoffs, "What's the difference between being a soldier and a police officer?" She folds her arms and sits down to eat herself.

Makiw smiles smugly. "A police officer has less chances of death. And Republic City is a hotspot for money, so the pay there is good. That means the living conditions are good."


Your mom sighs and takes the cutlery, beginning to eat. She can't dispute what he says because she has less experience on the topic. Unlike your dad, she never traveled outside the Si Wong Desert. Apparently, when your dad was a 'chad' he traveled the world. He was in the Fire Nation Capital, Ba Sing Se, Republic City, even in the ruins of the Eastern Air Temple - he met a bizarre guru there, apparently. He attributes most of his wisdom to said guru's teachings.

Your mom, on another hand, has always lived in the tribe and stayed in the village. She learned many practical skills - healing, weaving, even hunting. On another hand, she has knowledge that not even your dad would dream of. Sometimes, at night, your mom shares secrets of her out-of-body experiences with you. Astral projection, a skill she has from her deep connection with her spirit.

In fact, their extensive wisdom and knowledge is partly what got your parents together. Two intellectuals, desiring to deepen their understanding of the world, in the middle of the desert where their native tribe resides.

Makiw eats, self-satisfied by both the meal and the victory of discussion over what future would be best for you. Sida eats with half-closed eyes, focusing more on the "eating" part of a family dinner.

What do you think?

[] You want to be a soldier of the Earth Kingdom. (Ambition. +10,000 XP, +10 Chi Points.)
[] You want to be a police officer in Republic City. (Ambition. +15,000 XP, +10 Chi Points.)
[] Neither. Upon further thought, perhaps getting involved in a career with a risk of injury or death isn't the best idea. You still need to further your skills before even dreaming about something like that.
[] Neither. Upon further thought,you wish to see the world and meet different people, like your father did.
[] (Bending Prodigy) Why limit yourself? Organize a sandbender militia, which you will be the leader of. (Ambition. +7,500 XP, +7 Chi Points.)
[] (Son of A Witch!) Fighting, overall, doesn't interest you. How about achieving nirvana, or whatever it's called? (Ambition. +7,500 XP, +20 Chi Points.)

"I'm home!" Siph enters the house and sits down next to you.

Makiw chews for several seconds, then, once his mouth is free, he speaks. "Where were you? We were starting to get worried."

"I was sand-sliding with––"

"Stay away from that boy," your dad reprimands without letting her finish.

Siph sighs then eats quietly without further conversation.

Your whole family stays quiet for the duration of the dinner. It gets kind of awkward at times until you finish and politely leave the table.

"Wait, there, young man," Sida calls. Your mom looks at you from the side. "How about you thank me for this delicious meal by doing the dishes?"


You don't want to do it, but having nothing good to respond with, you settle for it. "Okaaay..." you groan.

---

You walk across town with the intent of buying a jug of water. Mom asked you to do it, because you're slowly running out. You come to a stop when Shuluo, a local of roughly the same age as you, approaches you. "Hey, Tié. Wanna come with me and some other guys to Gilacorn Hunt with us?"

Ah, yes. Gilacorn Hunting. Possibly the most barbaric children's game ever invented. The goal is to use sandbending to suffocate as many Gilacorns - small lizard creatures - under the sand as possible. The winner gets to take all of the bodies home for consumption.

What do you say?

[] "Sure."
[] "No, thanks."
[] "Gilacorn Hunting is cruel. I don't want to partake in any of it."
[] Agree to go, but only to keep an eye on them.
[] Disagree, but follow them to help the creatures get away.

---

Select one social focus for the next season.

[] Dad.
[] Mom.
[] Siph.

Select two training focuses for the next season. You can select one option two times.

[] Bending.
[] Meditation.
[] Physical exercise.

No level-up.

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VOTE BY PLAN, please~