Avatar's Judgement - Earth Kingdom Warlord Game

[DeathslilHelper]

The Leaders of the Yellow Pennant Movement

Bai Lian - Strategic mastermind and overall leader of the Yellow Pennants. Radicalized by innumerable old tragedies he has made it his life's mission to fight for reform and peasant rights.

Kavita Min - Bai's longtime righthand woman. She is a highly skilled earthbender and leader in her own right, albeit more direct than Bai, thus she serves as the tactical commander of the Movement.

Long Jie - An earthbender and former Earth Kingdom soldier, a veteran of many wars he rose to become a junior officer but found his possibilities for advancement blocked by his peasant blood. He joined the Movement after deserting and has led the formation of the Movements bending academy, the Underground.

Yao Feng - A former professor of natural philosophy at the University of Ba Sing Se. Yao Feng taught two generations of students and nobles of the Upper Ring before self-radicalising and moving to Min to support the growing Yellow Pennant Movement.

Laozei - An Earth Sage who has joined the Movement as it's spiritual guide. In practice this means he is the Movement's propaganda director. Writing and designing pamphlets and speeches to appeal to members of every Ring of Ba Sing Se.

 

[Dovahsith]

Avatar's Appointment
(Joint IC with @Mortis Nuntius )



​

If an outside observer were to look at the artfully carved gameboard, it's finely checker patterned grid of pale wood and enameled squares they would see a battlefield of the mind.

Each polished tile is placed with careful calculation and care. Each a part of a pattern, a sequence of actions leading towards an inevitable victory by a powerful intellect engaged in a contest that even the wisest of sages would struggle to master.

With slow deliberation, Chang placed his token upon the board, seizing another tile for himself. His blood froze as his opponent giggled quietly to herself. He had made an error and for all his skill, he could not see it! His fingers brushed the surface of his tile, instinctively making to take his move back.

"Hey!" Cried the Avatar with a frown of disapproval towards the guard assigned to her room. "No cheating!"

Not that she knew whether you could retake moves in Pai Sho or not. The rules seemed to change wherever she was, but so long as she pretended she knew what she was talking about, people seemed to agree with her. She was getting pretty good at the game as well, despite never actually learning how to play.

She had done little else since waking up in a bed, healers fussing over her like she was actually hurt. Not that she felt anything besides a sensation of someone convincing a Sky-Bison to start bellowing within her skull and the feeling that she could really do with a decent nap. She was basically fine and everyone was worrying over nothing. Not that it would stop them from worrying when she told them that.

The guards poking their noses in and out didn't help matters either. She supposed she could always escape if it got too annoying, but then Bai would look all concerned and Guang would get upset. Again.

So she spent her time eating free food, letting concerned palace doctors poke and prod her and drank some pretty terrible tea when it was put in front of her.

If there was one benefit to all this, it was that she met new people who hadn't experienced the whimsical stratagems of Air Nomad Pai Sho.

"You know, if you want to admit defeat now, I won't hold it against you." She offered to Chang, the nervous expression of the man at odds with the image of a well trained, emerald armoured juggernaut he was supposed to present.

"I enjoy our conversation after all more than your money…that I'm against the gambling." she continued, looking up suddenly at the sound just beyond the door.

"Let her rest? Delung you may actually manage the impossible and be as stupid as you look." Guang was saying. "If you offered Dorji the choice she'd rather lay on a bed of lava than feathers."

The Queen shrewdly observed the situation before her. "See she's up and robbing my guards blind of their coin and dignity. I'm not intruding at all. Tell him to stop being an idiot for me Dorji, if I do it one more time my throat will blister." She commanded as the pair stepped fully into the room and Chang knocked over the board in his haste to stand up to attention.

A gust of wind swept up the board and pieces, sending the wooden tiles under the bed with an audible skittering against the flood as Dorji dove under the blankets, her head poking out of the top as her mussed hair covered her forehead and eyes.

"Errrr…Hi Guang?" She offered when the deception clearly wasn't working.

Chang, to his credit, remained in a state of silent motionless, clearly hoping that pretending to be a statue would result in the Queen overlooking his presence.

Guang could not keep a straight face for long, eventually smiling and then giggling. "Aren't you a bit old for hiding under the sheets from scawy Qween Ladies?" She mocked lightly. "Clean up the pieces Chang, come on Dorji I came to see if you are feeling better not…whatever you think I'm here to do." She moved to the side of the bed, pulling over a chair and leaning over it. "You definitely look a lot better," she noted with approval.

"I feel it too." replied Dorji, shifting in bed to prop herself upright against the ludicrous number of pillows. Where they got that many goose-vole feathers from, she didn't want to know.

Stretching, she yawned softly before looking back towards Guang with a smile. "I figured if it was another doctor, pretending to be asleep might make them skip the herbal tea." she explained, nose wrinkling with disgust. "I'd call it poisonous, but I don't think even poison is supposed to smell that bad."

"Then don't drink it." Guang suggested. "I mean who gets to tell the Avatar what to do? I don't get to do that and I'm Queen."

Dorji's smile grew into a toothy grin as she nodded in agreement.

"You hear that Chang. Queen's orders. I don't have to drink the tea!"

"That's lovely to hear my lady." the guard replied as he continued to collect the Pai Sho pieces from the floor.

"You know, I never thought about it like that." Dorji explained. "The nuns always said that bad tasting medicines always worked better, but no point taking them if I feel fine, is there?"

"Avatar Dorji, did you ever consider that you might feel fine because the medicine is working and that if you stop taking it you will begin to feel worse but by the time you notice the chance of a swift recovery is gone? As someone who has taken a few injuries over the years I know convalescence is tedious in the extreme but I am sure an imaginative and spirited young woman such as yourself can amuse herself just a little while longer." Delung offered calmly and wisely.

Guang shook her head. "See what I have to put up with every day of my life? So boring he becomes interesting again in how boring he is and then you realise no, he is just boring. And wrong."

Delung and the young Avatar shared a look between survivors of Storm Guang.

"Well, at least he's dependable." Dorji offered.

"How are things?" She asked a few heartbeats later. "I mean, I remember stopping the riots, but things afterwards are a little…fuzzy in my memory. No-one got hurt did they?"

"I don't know anyone who got hurt." Guang answered carefully. "You were amazing. Saving so many people, just uh, don't make a habit of breaking my city okay? I've only got the one."

"Breaking?" Dorji asked, voice strained as if having something unpleasant confirmed for her.

She could remember flashes, images. Of voices speaking to her. Of what she could do, what she did… Of what she needed to do. She had just hoped that they were a fever dream.

Being the Avatar sucked.

Delung coughed.

"Well maybe breaking is the wrong word…Look Dorji you did what you thought you had to and it worked. You stopped the riots, you even stopped the war, and yeah maybe things got a little messed up and confused and some damage got done. But you know what would have been way worse? Whatever would have ended up happening if you'd not shown up and done your Avatar thing. You were amazing, and yeah more than a little crazy scary, but that's what Avatars are for, you're the best one I've met and in my totally accurate opinion as Queen I declare that makes you the best ever." Guang offered a hand to her sister. "Don't you dare feel bad about being good."

"I just told people that there wasn't any reason to fight. That you and Bai were talking and people were listening too!" Dorji said, letting Guang grasp her hand as she narrated what she could remember. "There was just that one group. They wanted to attack the walls. They.. they knew that you were talking already. They were trying to make people think Bai had sold them out to you and…they had swords and were looking for a fight. They just wouldn't listen and when I tried to stop them, they tried to kill me…something hit me and I.." Dorji quietened, unwilling to say what else she could remember.

"Guang, what did I do?" she asked, steeling herself for the answer.

"You uh…well floated a bit, had this big ball of air and fire around you and made it really windy, oh and there was this giant wall of Ice…it was quite scary, but you had to watch the whole thing, nothing like it in the world. Delung managed to reach you and uh you just stopped."

"And no-one was too badly hurt? Or worse?" Dorji asked, glancing at Delung with a look of gratitude. "You and Bai can fix what I broke, right? I'm not really sure how well I can earthbend things back…or waterbend the ice I guess."

"We will fix it." Guang promised. "Do not worry about it, oh speaking of Water…I made you an Admiral I figured that it might be funny."

The look of utter confusion on the Avatar's face was not a moment recorded by history, but personally Delung found it rather amusing.

 

[averagename]

Honoured Comrades
(IC with @DeathslilHelper)​

The few ploughmen had forgone the lacquered armour which they'd worn at the palace for a travelling cloak and a suit of brigandine. They wouldn't have looked out of place among a gang of mercenaries in an outer ring tavern, if not for the lack of dirt and smell. Their leader wore just simple woollen garments, no different from that which a merchant of a middling standard would have. Nothing marked them as anything particularly special or memorable as they were shown into Bai's compound in the outer ring; waiting for their host in an area far more humble than they had seen earlier.

The timber gates swung shut with a heavy thud. Armed guards with yellow ribbons wrapped around their arms, heads, or dangling from their weapons escorted the visitors inside. Kavita waited for them, the woman lightly stepped forward like a lithe predator.

"Welcome," she said, smiling and already pleased by her own joke. "To Bai Sing Se," she laughed a little. "Which of you is the emissary? Bai is waiting."

The men chuckled lightly as their leader stood, bowing to Kavita "I am, may my men wait inside as I talk with Bai, best not to have people wondering who we are?"

"Of course, now if you'll follow me."

The walk to Bai's office wasn't long, requiring them to travel up only a tall flight of stairs to the landing where a pair of clerks were pouring over reports. Kavita walked past them with a lazy wave and pushed open the door's of the office. Bai was waiting inside, standing at his large window that gave him a view of the Outer City and the Inner Wall.

Steaming tea in a old and worn pot waited beside two empty cups on a table.

"Have a seat," Bai said.

"Thank you" The man bowed and sat. "I must congratulate you on your promotion, I don't think anyone would have thought you'd be put in nominal control of the Earth Kingdom's armies a few months ago. You've done well for your people." The man's voice was light and easy but still retained formality.

Bai turned from the window and sat as well. "Your master has done well for himself as well, overthrowing the old rulers of his region and establishing himself so quickly."

The man nodded at that "Many of the old guard were happy to make necessary changes when faced with the alternative, which sped things along. We can only hope that things will continue in that fashion. Do you think reactionaries in the Royal armies will cause you trouble?"

"Of course they will, it is in their nature to resist necessary change. Does you master expect resistance from the people? They may not take kindly to having their brothers and sisters targeted for penance for their crimes."

The man shook his head "Inerita always resists, have the assassination attempts started yet? it may be advantageous if the reactionaries played their hand sooner than later. As for the peopleIt is not the ability which is a crime but the act. When a person can wield power on a level far beyond their peers they will tend to tyranny. It is not constrained by institutions or the consent of others as temporal power can be. We need to step in to calm down those recently freed from the yoke of servitude more often than not. The people want a better world, one ruled by fairness and justice rather than the threat of force. You tapped into that same spring in the outer rings." The man's voice took on the tone of a preacher in that, the fervor of belief entering his eyes when he spoke.

"Power inspires corruption, and with it a contempt and disdain for common life. One must be mindful of the consequences of wielding power. It's so easy to lose sight of what's important. Those with real power can unleash more suffering with a stroke of a brush than bending ever could."

"No one denies that power can corrupt, it is why anarchy has come to the land. But nations can be built to prevent the spread of such cancers and ensure the venal do not wield power, others can emilorate the whims of a sovereign; when power to break earth and murder scores is in the hands of one there it is harder to stop evil men, from a thousand villages can spring a thousand petty tyrants. How do you intend to cut out the cancer of corruption from the earth kingdom though, now you have the chance?"

"It is inevitable for the cancers you describe to spread, given enough time they will always return. Be it in a hundred years or two hundred, the greedy and shortsighted will always reclaim their position. Until the cleansing of revolution comes again. Reforms will be passed, laws enforced, the guilty punished, the corrupt purged, and things will be good for a few generations. Then the tide will return. Such is the fate of what your master and I do. But for a time at least life will be better for the people. And that is why we do this is it not? For the people," Bai wiped blood from his eye. "What did your master send you to say to Guang?"

"Merely to ensure peace till atleast the mad and the venal are defeated, if we fought some despot like the hann or shi would take advantage. I doubt her forces will attack till after they are defeated. She, or her advisors, would probably attempt to purge you at a similar junction?" The man's voice was conversational as if he was discussing a fish he caught.

"I expect the thought has crossed her mind. Or at least the minds of the nobles, but to do so now would invoke the avatar's wrath," Bai chuckled. "Even then a purge would be difficult. I have something for you to tell your master as well. Whatever minor ideological differences between us, we have the same goal, and should keep that in mind even if for the sake of politics we cannot state such things openly."

"Thats a reasonable request, my master is of the same opinion. Do you have any particular concerns of points of friction?"

"Territorially? Nothing in particular as of yet. Politically? There will be opposition to your master inside the city, which you no doubt expect already. Does your master expect anything from Ba Sing Se?"

"Some recruits, the potential to move troops and purchasing some materials which cannot be produced else where but we have no material goals inside Ba Sing Se. Do you have any objective outside of the City, there are some rumors that the peace treaty will require you to send troops beyond the walls?"

"Only time will tell," Bai said. "Regarding what your master wants that will require additional consideration of what can be spared."

The man shrugged, it not being polite to press the deflection "Are you having issues regarding supplies and recruits in your ring? With your permission we had intended to just send a few recruiting parties to raise what volunteers and donations as well as purchasing what supplies they could throughout the outer ring."

"Nothing of that sort, though the offer is appreciated. The situation here is delicate, if the worst should happen," Bai shrugged. "Then things will be different. A word of advice for your master if I may. The world is changing and he would be wise to be flexible come what may."

"He hopes to remain changeable as the situation demands. With regards to activities within your city would you oppose us recruiting volunteers and the like, with the peace concluded with Guang it may be advantageous for the more hot headed youths to be given something to do if they feel they must do something?"

"There is a place for them yet within the walls. Recruitment would be too destabilizing yet. On the other hand, might I send some of my officers with you when you leave. They can provide advice and learn from your movement."

"A shame, I think it may have some value. As for your offer that might be destabilizing to your territory; we are tolerated by Guang's court but not gladly; a, from their perspective, shadowy exchange of officers may give the impression that we are plotting together and force their hand. One wouldn't like to think of the consequences."

"Of course, and recruitment within the city walls could do the same. Guang is not the petulant tyrant of some of her predecessors, but for now she cares little of what happens outside the Upper City. It would be unfortunate for you master if he drew her attention."

"It is a risk but firebrands with nothing to do oft spread fires, in the end though it is your demesne. As for Guang, do you know anything which would draw here attention beyond the toppless wall?"

"It is hard to say, she is young, and her moods are changeable. She fights tooth and nail one moment and then accepts all demands placed before her. I will do my best to ensure interference doesn't pass beyond the Walls."

"That is all my master can ask, would there be anything else you'd like to discuss?"

"Not currently. Thank you for coming."

 

[Dovahsith]

Consequences
(A Joint IC with @DeathslilHelper )​

Bai set the white lotus tile down on the Pai Sho board. "Victory in five moves," he said. He pushed a lantern closer, it was getting late, and the sun was setting. His old eye was getting weak. "I am glad you're recovering well."

Dorjo huffed, blowing her dark fringe from her eyes as she pouted at the board. She could beat the rest of the crew without issue. Their methods, strategies, the way they responded was methodical and predictable to her. Games in the Earth Kingdom always seemed to be that way. It was a world apart from the breezy introspective fun of the temples, the fluid adjustment to the game that took place in the Water Tribe or the faster paced races to victory in the Fire Nation.

"How do you keep sneaking that up on me?" She asked, studying the board. "I could have sworn I was winning a minute ago."

Bai hummed. "When you can answer that question yourself you will have begun to master Pai Sho. Have you been taking your medicine and doing what the doctors say?"

"Yes Bai." Replied Dorji.

Her look of puppy-like innocence wilted under the man's continual stare.

"Mostly...Though I'm fine now!" She offered, enthusiastically showing off the non existent muscles on one of her slender noodly arms.

"Everything going better? You and Guang managed to sort everything out, right?" She asked, meeting Bai's scarred gaze.

"You must listen to them, they can afford very fine doctors here in the Upper Ring. You don't want your face to look like mine. There are consequences to every action."

"I know that." Dorji replied glancing away.

"Guang's already explained what happened but I can remember enough to know she's lying when she said no-one was seriously hurt. She means well but…"

The young woman's voice trailed off.

Bai snorted. "Yes I suppose she does. Some of the worst things in history have been done by those who mean well. It is the destiny of the mighty to take well meaning action and the curse of the weak to pay the price."

"I didn't want to be mighty. I..I don't want to be the Avatar. I just want to be me." Dorji sobbed. "But everyone was going to kill each other and no one was willing to stop it. I couldn't let you and Guang fight. If something happened to either of you…"

Dorji hugged her knees as she shuddered through another sob.

"I'm a terrible Avatar. I ran away. I only got involved because I'm selfish and when I tried to help, people got hurt or worse."

"You didn't try to help. You did help. People are alive because of your actions. And there are people who are dead. But far more will live," Bai hefted his bag and reached in for a folded letter, which he laid on his side of the table. "People are often blind to those they don't know. It's easy to hurt someone you don't know, they don't matter then. You are the most powerful person in the world Dorji, or you could be if you choose to embrace it. You didn't ask for that burden, fate or the spirits chose you, and I have to believe it was for a reason."

Dorji shifted from her seat onto the table leaned in, resting her head against Bai's shoulder as she let the tears run dry.

"Thanks Bai." She whispered, leaning against the revolutionary. "I'm glad I know you."

Bai gingerly wrapped and arm around Dorji. He eyed the letter. The paper that carried the names of seventeen dead people. He put it back in his bag. "It's alright," he said. "You'll show them, you will show them all."

They sat like that in silence for some time, the young girl and the scarred rebel, neither wanting to end the moment, until reality intruded once again.

"I'm going to have to leave, aren't I?" Dorji asked in resignation. "If you and Guang can sort things out here, there's still the rest of the world without an Avatar."

"Yes, the world needs its Avatar. It needs you. But you need people too, don't forget that. Don't forget the little people."

"I don't think I'll ever stop standing for the little people. I am one after all." Dorji said, giving a tired smile.

"You take care of yourself, you hear me? I won't be able to make sure you actually eat something for a while if I'm busy saving the world. And..take care of Guang too. She won't admit it, but she needs someone around to remind her she's a person. And you need someone to trick into playing Pai Sho."

"I… I will do my best," Bai said. "I promise."

"That's…that's good. Maybe if people spent more time talking, playing Pai Sho and learning to understand each other, they wouldn't need an Avatar to make sure people were getting along." said Dorji.

"I'm going to return, you know. When I get back, make sure the city's doing fine without me?"

"I hope we don't disappoint you," Bai chuckled somberly.

 

[Mortis Nuntius]

The Law of Sanctuary

Those who have found themselves forced to flee from their common place of residence out of a well founded fear of persecution, enslavement, murder or theft of property may claim and find sanctuary within the walls of Ba Sing Se under the Earth Queen's protection. To victimize and hinder them is to be considered a crime, they may not be compelled to labor or military service or taxation by any authority save that authorized explicitly by the Earth Queen, children, the elderly, sickly and frail are always exempt. All those who wish to claim such protection must wear a green or white band, and submit themselves to the protection and authority of an official Earth Kingdom Guide. Once within the walls of Ba Sing Se their future welfare and employment is to be the Queen's Concern.

 

[Hyvelic]

Battle of North Uchare

• Yi Sanyang arrives in the village and begins to fortify it with his forces
• Fortifications are partially completed when riders are spotted
• First skirmishes begin as Riders and scouts clash.
• Both sides begin staging raids and minor battles between the two armies.
• Preparations are made for battle
• Morale Plummets in Uchare due to actions of Yi Sanyang
• Uchare Defender's second in command attempts to parlay, demanding to speak with Atli himself instead of an underling.
• Attackers agree to meet
• Upon approaching the point of parlay defends spring the "Trap" and try to capture or kill Atli, who never showed up just a clever disguised soldier
• Attackers counterattack inflicting moderate casualties onto the armies portions present.
• Yi Sanyang discovers he not only has traitors in his midst, but his attempts to restore morale do not work as well as he thought.
• Earthbenders, and other Benders in the village, take minimal casualties and are able to inflict a small number of casualties.
• Standard siege parameters with the attackers having the initiative, for now.

 

[DeathslilHelper]

A Quiet Moment​

It had only been minutes since Xen Dao's emissary had left.

"Those madmen would kill me and half the Yellow Pennants if they got half the chance!" Kavita shouted at Bai. "They're worse than I thought. Worse than either of us thought!"

"They would," he said.

"But you still want to work with Xen Dao?" Kavita was exasperated.

"Of course not, but if they can be used, then all the better."

"Guang won't like this."

"Guang dislikes a good many things, and she must learn to tolerate them all."

Kavita sniffed. "Dorji wouldn't like it either."

Bai glared at his old friend. "I had to meet with them. You know that. I had to confirm what they'd discussed with Guang. Figure out his intentions for the city."

Bai stood to start pacing.

"Killing benders," he shook his head. "The man is a fool or a madman."

"Or both," Kavita said. "What's your plan then?"

"A common enemy can unite old foes."

"Ah, I see."

"What was being said about firebrands," Bai tapped the wall.

"You want me to keep an eye out?"

"Both eyes, yours and Laozei's."

"Alright then," Kavita said. She sagged onto the floor, clearly tired. "How long do we have to go on?"

"Until the work is done," Bai answered, equally tired.

"You've been saying that since you tried to knife me over pai sho."

Bai huffed a short laugh. "You were cheating."

"There were good boots on the line," Kavita replied with a smile.

The two old friends shared a laugh. A quiet moment in difficult times.

 

[Mortis Nuntius]

@Dovahsith
"I have a fucking tail."

"DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

 

[Mortis Nuntius]

The Rise of Splinter​

The Queen refused to think of her blanket structure as a nest, it was too close to the mark as she huddled there, she would have sobbed but she only had paws to wipe away the tears and each humiliating and sickening contact with her new reality made her want to vomit. So she just lay there, curled up in the dark.

"Go away." She commanded the supposedly empty room.

Delung emerged from the shadows. "I regretfully must decline your majesty."

"I am in no mood for your insolence today Delung. Go away." She sniffled.

She didn't need to move the quilt to know he was still standing there.

"What happened today? Master Fong expected you."

"No one should expect anything of a Queen, and besides I did not feel like going."

"Yes. But you majesty was the one who insisted on additional lessons…and you have stopped doing everything else, its worrying." He explained carefully.

"Well stop worrying, I am…." Her voice tailed off despairingly.

"Fine?" He suggested recklessly.

"No, nothing close to fine, I'm as far from fine as I can get, I'm a Rat! But you failed to stop that happening so what does anything else matter? You don't get to lecture me about taking care of myself, taking care of me was your job!" She exploded in sudden anger, and the tears returned.

"I know. I failed you, your majesty, and I am failing you now. I am so sorry." Delung confessed, ashamed.

"Don't be sorry! Fix it!" Guang demanded of him.

"I am trying, the Avatar is seeking the source of your, ailment, and I have the guards out chasing leads, something will turn up we shall find a way to reverse this, in the meantime however we need to endure. To fall back upon your inner strength and not give into despair. That is why I am alarmed you've stopped attending your lessons, Earth Bending is endurance, it is patience and strength and solidarity, it is courage Guang and you need all four of those virtues now more than ever."

"Fong just wants me to build steps and walls and separate stupid minerals. I told him I wanted to learn how to fight!"

"There is far more to bending than mere…"

"Shut up Delung! You do not understand, my father, uncles, brother and everyone else…all of them had guards and wise teachers and Earth bending masters with endless sage wisdom, all of them are dead. Dorji broke into my palace and came and went as she pleased making a mockery of my guards, my generals were bested by a peasant with a grudge who got to set his own terms, now some witch or sorceror has cursed me in my own palace. I cannot rely on the walls of this city, I cannot rely on my guards…I cannot even rely on you to protect me. I need to learn how to do that myself."

Whatever he was going to say to that, was ripped away along with the covers as she revealed her entire form: fur, snout and tail. "Look at me Delung and tell me to learn patience and substance again!" She roared in his face.

"You are right, your majesty, you have been let down again and again, not least be me. I accept that and offer my resignation…and whatever else you would have as recompense for my failure." Delung lowered his head in disgrace.

"I do not want your resignation, or your honour or your life…I want your help Delung. I want your Stone Fists, I want you to teach me how to fight and I want you to help me find whoever did this to me and teach them that Earth is the element of crushing weight."

"That is not the way your majesty…"

"Its my way, and are you going to help me or not Delung. Or do I have to turn to someone else in my hour of greatest need?"

He looked at her with pain. "You need never look elsewhere, your majesty, I am your man."

She rose from the bed.

"Good. Lets begin then."

 

[Hyvelic]

Northern Marches​

Guan Bao

• Guan Bao is tough on Crime
• Guan Bao takes stock of everything and finds a cache of stolen equipment
• Fortifications are made
• Attempts to make Trade flourish fail due to uncertainty
• Guan Bao trains with troops and actually does really well
• Scouts find nearby regions under attack by Ma Shu
• North Mi and Bi Ling fall taken, enemy approaches Kuzare
• Guan Bao looks for a Spiritualist and does not find one, but thinks she knows where one could be

Kaya

• Kaya increases the prosperity of her region,
• Kaya has a large stockpile of Crystals
• Crystal Cultists go into the world
• Gonita yields to Kaya and the city is fortified
• Kaya trains and expands her Crystal Benders and increases their quality
• Crystal-Song spreads

Wu Tai

• Wu Tai gains a large manner of followers, not many Earth Benders however
• Jinai is sent to Hene
• Wu Tai continues to hunt for bandits and their ilk
• Wu Tai finds the heads of his sister's guards nailed into the trees and his sister Missing
• A note is found stating "Come Raging Tiger, Come and find me." Three trails are found which may lead to whoever did this.
• The three trails can be estimated to lead to roughly Zu Sho, La Yai, and Nang

Aiguo Hu

• Scouts find nobody of worth, except a Pirate Nest in Bong Si Si which is rapidly taken
• Recruitment Drives work
• Take Lo Mi
• Few Airbenders join in on training and integration into the Combined Arms army Units of multiple benders called "Balance Squads"
• Trade begins with the other Elemental Nations
• Construction begins on more ships
• Band of Mercs are poached by Hashang Minsu

Shi Shaodai

• Recruitment succeeds and many join, but not enough equipment for everyone
• The cities of Suzai, Doyise, Muyu, and Bufi pledge and fall to Shi
• Many hear of the Claimant of the throne of Ba Sing Se's benevolence.
• Crystal Cultists are detained under/for suspicious circumstances

Taiga Shun

• Taiga Shun bides his time
• Gathers support from local region and city

Ma Shu

• Section One - Farmland Reform and Regulations is enforced, while unpopular with the Elites the Lower Class support it
• Armed Forces are reorganized
• Armed forces are Trained
• Infrastructure is repaired and made ensuring trade between cities and villages occurs
• The Faudjar are made and promoted to oversee order maintained
• North Mi and Bi Ling fall to Ma Shu, before moving onto Kuzare
• Yu Jin, Zhang Wenyuan, and Ma Shu partake in the campaign. Sun Zhou defends against any attacks from enemies

Sima Fong

• Army is Properly Equipped
• The villages of Wao Wo, Enise Village, Zu Sho and the City of Bar fall to Sima
• Lists made of citizens
• Disappearances noted
• West Wiyo, Zia Mon and Na Fun are taken
• Disappearances noted
• Exiles appear

Irriru Apikuna

• Irriru fortified the borders
• Diplomats sent to neighbors
• Roads are made and connected to Hili

Meshuh

• Food stores made and filled
• Li No and Oyida pledge allegiance to Meshuh

Dai Renshi

• Army moves to Maintain Peace in city and outlaying region
• Fleets merged and goods gathered and taken care of by Dai Renshi
• Fleet goes to buy supplies
• Air Nomads send food
• Nobility removed and replaced as a class, several families forced to disappear
• Citizens put to work
• Bandits Interrogated, found to be hungry

 

[Red Robyn]

Crystal Cultists are detained under/for suspicious circumstances

Click to shrink...

"My Emperor, my men arrested some of the cultists from that crazy religion in Hili. What should we do with th--"

"Kill them all."

"Pardon, m'lord?"

"This... this cult is an abomination. There is no room for them in the Realm I will forge. Kill. Them. All."

"It will be done."

 

[Hyvelic]

Eastern Rumble​

Gwaleng Wu

• Gwaleng Wu accepts all refugees that come towards the island, assisting them with arriving.
• Trade Missions are sent out from the island to across the coast and the lands to the East of the Island.
• Ship Construction expands and multiple merchant vessels are being made.
• An Embassy is established between Gwaleng Wu and Xen Dao
• Ha Min Shi, and Chele join Gwaleng Wu.
• Benders enmass join Gwaleng Wu.
• Efforts to expand industry stutter due to a lack of materials currently.
• Experiments fail multiple times and are forced to stop due to lack of resources to continue.
• Gwaleng Wu sets up a Suggestion Box Committee, members go mad from the banal requests.

Master Shalafei

• Shalafei goes into seclusion and meditates on the highest point of the island.
• Jade Sect continues training of Earthbenders, many seek to join.
• Hane Island Villages begins to make a new fishing ship workshop to construct additional boats.

Guang "Girlboss" the XIII

• Armies are beginning to be replenished, and while there is a surplus of equipment, there are not enough recruits to balance out the surplus.
• The investigation for the Instigators ends in failure, the lead they have goes cold after rats intervene incidentally and cover the tracks.
• Nobles barely swallow the peace deal, though there are more than a few discontent members of the court.
• Attempts to reach outside of Ba Sing Se are interrupted and prevented.
• Guang and her direct subordinates receive reports of large populations of rats appearing more frequently in the Inner city, the Inner Ring, and the Outer Rings.
• The construction of a Temple of Harmony and Shrine to the Spring King on the site so explosively cleared by the Avatar begins. The area is the only one that seems to have no reports of rats.
• The Earth Queen falls ill and begins training in earthbending
• Each day she is ill, her Earthbending feels harder to do.

Shu Manung

• Shu Manung begins to fortify Serpants Pass.
• Moves armies to defend the Walls of Ba Sing Se from the outside.
• The villages up to Kizoyo join Shu Manung
• Shu Manung builds statues or portraits of the Earth Queen to be put within the villages and towns
• Recruitment begins, not many volunteers but Multiple Earthbenders join him.

Bai

• Bai works with Guang to help stop the riots and any potential riots from occurring
• Yellow Pennants and the Land Reform Commission start to be known for Peace, Land, and Rice
• Protests break out in the outer ring, though do not turn into riots
• Bai and his direct subordinates receive multiple reports of an increase in rats that are eating the food of the Outer Ring.
• Yellow Pennants have many new recruits to join their forces, but there is just not enough equipment for them all.
• Veterans receive land and sing the praises of Bai and his organizations

Ma Liao

• East Sai Han falls to Ma Liao and his armies march to wait outside the walls of Ba Sing Se
• Ma Liao sets up camp.
• A portion of Ma Liao's armies move to take Bu, Shoshu village and the surrounding territory.
• Ma Liao would hunt down and wipe out Daofei and warlords in the area.
• Actions build support and Ma Liao's armies see recruits coming in droves and manage to find homes for all their spare equipment, except there's not enough now.
• Refugees make their way into his lands.

Xen Dao

• Xen Dao begins fortifying his territories.
• Pelo and Paar begin construction of what is hoped to become a strong navy.
• All Benders are discriminated against.
• Xen Dao finds himself with a large amount of recruits, but not enough equipment.
• Lanoh is established as Xen Dao's capital.
• Envoys are be sent to the fifth nation to establish trade and court their support, but are unable to find much support due to the actions of Lady Fu
• Villages and Cities up to Ron fall to Xen Dao
• Faalon and Tasadu resist and a warlord called Jiang Wei rises to oppose him.
• Xine falls to Xen Dao
• Lini resists and a Warlord named Cao Yuan rises to resist Xen Dao
• Word quickly spreads of both Xen Dao and his message of Tyranny from Benders.

 

[Glassware]

The crystal soared through the air and detonated midflight, shards of it striking trees and soil. Taking root. Growing. Kaya shaped that growth, crouched in an Academy-perfect Earthbending stance, but it was hesitant. The crystal did not flow as it did when she communed with Earth-That-Grows, it grew in fits and starts, and even began to wither on hard, rocky soil without living things to latch onto.

By the time the fortification was complete-a wide line of crystal spikes meant to snare and disrupt ostrich-horse cavalry-Kaya was sweating, moreso than her benders, who were making spikes and fortifications of stone with the occasional coating of crystal. There was something missing. Kaya could feel the crystal's desire to grow, but she could not fuel it, not easily.

You are incomplete, Earth-That-Grows whispered, and Kaya nodded, panting with her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath, crystal cracking with every gasp. The spirit's will pulsed beneath her ribcage. I gave you everything, and you are still incomplete.

"I will have to be enough," Kaya whispered. "The Duke of Wa will come for us if the mountain folk don't first."

You are not enough.

"Maybe-maybe in Ba-Sing-Se-"

NO. Earth-That-Grows spoke with terrible finality. That place is lost.

"This place may be, too, if I am still incomplete when he arrives."

You will not allow us to be pruned. We have to grow.

"We have to grow." Kaya stood, moving gingerly. Onto the next line. Onto a new attempt.

She lifted her voice and began to sing. It was inexpert, her voice rough and thin from the weight in her lungs, but the tune was picked up by others among her benders. A working song, the Crystal-Song, timed for the spaces between efforts. They'd stolen the tunes from minstrels, and given them their own words. A song of praise and of warning, a set of instructions and a show of devotion. For the gift they've been given, and of what harm it might do.

Kaya could not be everything; she could not be the sole voice of the Crystal-Song. Not yet.

Not yet.

 

[Hyvelic]

Opening Gambit: Kuzare​

• Guan Bao's forces fortify the village of Kuzare
• Ma Shu approaches
• Forces appear to be Equal
• Guan Bao's forces manage to begin trapping the region and altering the landscape to their advantage
• Traps are incomplete when sprung dealing only below moderate damage.
• Opening skirmishes see Ma Shu's forces better off.
• Guan Bao's forces manage to repel opening attacks
• Ma Shu's forces go in for the kill.
• Guan's forces retreat
• Ma's forces pursue
• Guan's Forces attempt to ambush from a feigned retreat.
• Force fails to pull the move off successfully due to lack of discipline but still damages the enemy forces enough to force them back.

 

[Red Robyn]

The War Room.

Perhaps one of the most prestigious locations in the Imperial Palace. It was there that the high command of the Earthen Empire defined the strategies of conquest and defense that they employed in the military campaigns ordered by their Emperor. In that small room, the fates of tens of thousands of citizens were decided, as well as perhaps the future of the Four Nations at large.

The only thing that stood out in the room was the High Table. A full-scale topographical map of the Earth Kingdom, it had been carved out of ceramic by an entire team of dedicated earthbenders, custom-built to serve as a place where generals could simulate battles and plan strategies. It wasn't nearly perfect, with its imprecision increasing the farther it got from Wa, but it had served its purpose well so far. Over the Table only one man stood:

The Emperor himself.

Shi Shaodai was frowning, contemplating the High Table in deep concentration. Those who had served the Emperor when he had been nothing more than a mere general in the Duke of Wa's ranks would recognize the expression: this was how he looked before the battle. From their experience, these men would say that such expression only manifested itself after the most difficult battles they fought.

Such solemnity was interrupted when a man entered the room. Normally, any individual who entered the War Room without the Emperor's approval would be punished heavily; in that case, Shaodai didn't even raise an eyebrow because he knew the man well.

He was Shi Sheng, Prince of Gen, heir to the Empire, and Shaodai's adopted son. Sheng was a good-looking young man dressed in flowing white robes, a face of a noble scholar. It was no wonder that the nobles of the region were far more fond of him than they were of his father. Sheng did not take long to announce the reason for his presence:

"Father, I did as you command me to. The cultists were executed and their bodies are currently being displayed on Wa's public square." Sheng spoke while bowing to show respect.

A smile of contentment crossed the Emperor's face. Other men might have hesitated to carry out orders they thought were bloody. But not Sheng; he knew his loyal son would never truly let him down. But that was not all: Shaodai knew him very well and knew that he was not completely satisfied with that.

"Rise, my son. I can see you fulfilled my orders with the same diligence as always. I couldn't be more proud of you for that Sheng... but I can see the shadow of discontentment in your eyes. Do you disagree with my course of action?" He asked, looking his son straight in the eyes.

Sheng shifted uncomfortably at that. Though he wouldn't admit it, he hated how his father seemed to read him well now and then. She had little desire to engage in any arguments with him; it wasn't in his nature to clash with others.

"I don't want to defy your judgment."

Loyalty was good, Shaodai thought, but his boy would need more spine if he wanted to rule after him.

"Speak. You are my heir; one day you shall rule this land. And a ruler needs to always be steady in his beliefs." He spoke in a fatherly tone, scolding Sheng lightly, as a teacher would do with an unruly child. Sheng obeyed the command, as he always did before.

"I'm not a friend of the Crystal people as much as you are, but it was unwise of your part to antagonize them? With Irriru and Kaya both being hostile to us.... we are surrounded by enemies now. I think we should have gone after them at a later date, after defeating the Mountainbenders."

His reasoning made sense, Shaodai would admit. He wasn't a fool and he knew the political consequences of his actions well. But unfortunately, his son seemed to have lost the reason why he had done such a thing, even if it was reckless.

"No. To let the cultists go impune... it would have compromised everything the Empire stands for. It would have compromised everything I stand for." There was heat in his words, passion spilling over his tongue. He hoped that by noticing this, Sheng would change his ways and see his father's wisdom. But the boy reacted with nothing but confusion.

"Why?"

"Why do you think that I founded this nation, Sheng? Power? Money? No. When I was about your age, I walked for all the extensions of this rotten carcass that some still call Earth Kingdom." He spoke, and as he spoke the memories of his youth came flooding back. Memories of pain and suffering. Memories of misery. And with such memories came wrath, burning more iridescent than any firebender's flame.

"And all I found was a land ravaged by barbarians, pirates, and cultists. A land plagued by misrule, chaos, and madness. I know there are madnesses beyond my reach, beyond my armies and my capacity to stop it. But I WILL NOT have this in my city. NOT in my lands. and NOT IN MY EMPIRE!"

When he finished his speech he gasped, the anger draining away. Meng was staring at him with a complicated face. It looked like he still hadn't agreed with him, something confirmed by his words soon after:

"Ideology should never override pragmatism when it comes to making decisions, father."

He moves his mouth and the words I hear are his mother's. He loved Liu Yao more than anything in the world, but the two of them had many differing views on many things. And it seemed her son was more influenced by her than he was.

"You are young, my son. One day you will understand that ideology is everything that separates Warlords and Emperors. You are dismissed."

 

[0th Law]

Irriru poured over his map at the impromptu stone table, surrounded by books upon books of history of every sort. In his hand was an imported iron pen, scratching diagram after diagram on a personal notebook. Frequently, he stopped to sift through a pile of string next to him, examining the knots on each khipu. A snort to his right drew his attention.

"No, Phaqsayphapa, you can't eat paper. We've been over this." Irriru said, exasperated, before returning to his work. If they attacked from the Quyllur pass, then that would leave their flank exposed to an ambush, conditional on the mining passage being safe for travel. He'd have to ask some people to check-

A fuzzy snot pushed up against his head, knocking his hat off-center. He turned, to look straight at his Alpaca-Goat companion. A wordless moment passed between them.

"Yes, I do have to do this. Providing strategic and tactical advise to other Orgomasaki is literally my main job, at least until this crisis has been resolved." He chuckled slightly. "It's not like I'm capable of forging every spearhead these volunteers would need, after all."

Phasqsayphapa turned his head to look at the mountain of books and khipu covering the block of stone.

"No, I didn't write all of those, and we'd need a lot more spearheads than that, even if I did. No, there are other smiths who are helping us on that front." Irriru picked up an unknoted khipu, and with practiced ease, tied the colored strings into a specific pattern. "On another note, could you take this to the couriers? The Quyllur village garrison might want to amend their tactics."

The Alpaca-Goat gave Irriru a knowing, yet strict look, but picked the khipu up with his teeth anyway, and began to trot off.

The blacksmith sighed, slumping slightly. He really needed to spend more time with Phasqsayphapa, but circumstances rarely let him, especially considering how much more mobile the Artiodactyl was.

Another person ran up to him. "Irriru, we have a situation."

He shot up, wiping away his previous, solemn expression. "Is it an attack? Where?"

"No, thankfully." The woman informed. "But... it's something to do with Kaya."

"Kaya?"

"The so-called governor of Hili, that town that we integrated."

"The lowlanders still place value in titles like that?"

"It's... a bit more complicated than that, Irriru." She denied. "You know how they have those crystals that they eat?"

"The ones we don't use? Yes."

"Well, it turns out that part of the practices that are associated with their use is... growing them on dead people."

Irriru blinked. "Huh. I knew that they were airsick lowlanders, but this? I didn't expect to need to deal with cannibals."

"We've been doing our best to reduce their dependency on the crystals, at the moment, but that's not all. See, a lot of envoys have been sent from Hili to surrounding territories. Including those controlled by the so-called 'Restaurer of the World.'"

"I see..." Irriru considered that, chuckling at what the autocrat called himself. "Are there any farmers or philosophers that would agree to go to Hili? We may want to stop this before it goes even more out of hand... if that's even possible."

"I'll see if my brother wants to, then if he doesn't, I'll check around some more."

"Thank you, Auki. Tell Haylli I said hi."

"Naturally." Auki smiled, before leaving herself.

Irriru sighed, and revisited his plans for a defense of Hili... and more importantly, the road.

 

[Dovahsith]

The room was spartan, as far as decoration within the palace went. The walls were a bland green and white layer of paint over walls of solid stone. The floor was several rugs laid over the smooth tiling. The furniture was well made, strong and crafted with the intent to last many more generations of users to come, but otherwise left uncarved and untouched by the hands of artisans.

In the middle of the room, lay a single bowl of soup, steam drifting from it's broiled vegetable and noodle surface.

The bowl just sat there.

Menacingly.

Dorji scowled at the bowl of liquid, hot steam rising from its delicious surface, yet it continued to hold the young Avatar in arrogant disregard for her presence.

Releasing a long exhalation, she shifted her footing, holding her hands out and closed her eyes, searching inwards for the connection she knew was there, waiting for her to seize. And with a slow, steady surety, she began to move.

With a gentle fluidity, Dorji stretched out and pulled, arms shifting away and towards her center as she circled the bowl.

Time ceased to be.

There was only the flow, forwards and backwards. Inside and out. Always changing, always the same.

Until she opened her eyes once more, a grin of triumph began to stretch across her features as the orb of noodle soup hovered in the air in front of her, droplets rising upwards to join the greater mass of liquid held aloft by the Avatar's waterbending.

She had done it! She could waterbend! And maybe if she could do that without a teacher, it was only a matter of time till she could figure out the rest of this Avatar thing!

The door slid open suddenly as Chang entered, holding a stack of scrolls bundled under his arms.

"Ah, Lady Avatar!" He began as the soup bubble detonated, a wave of noodle and warm water spraying outwards to coat the inside of the room and both occupants in it's greasy fluid.

"I…" Chang began, the young man rubbing his face and eyes to clear them, a stray noodle now picked clear from the bridge of his nose and tossed away. "I managed to find what you requested of me." He offered, pulling out several scrolls from the shelter of the now damp uniform tabard.

"Yeah…I got that…" Dorji whispered, her hair slicked back by the explosion of soup now coating her face. "Thanks."

Emerging from the shelter of an upturned rice-bowl, Songshu glided across the room to nestle into the Avatar's hair. Picking up a stray noodle with his tiny paws, the Sugar Glider began to nibble, chirping happily from his perch as the Avatar began to clear debris from her desk for the Imperial Guardsman turned errand boy to lay his scrolls upon.

Spreading out the scroll, the map of a section of the city was revealed, several sections recently drawn over or marked with various symbols indicating state of disrepair or abandonment by the majority of the population.

"The Queen is very eager to see this crisis resolved" said Chang.

"Guang needs to relax. I got this." Dorji replied. "I told her that last time we spoke."

"Lady Avatar…you told her to, and I quote, Cheese be patient and to stop being so ratty."

"Yeah." Dorji giggled. "It was pretty funny, even with all the rocks she started throwing."

A strange expression seemed to form on Chang's face before he sighed and looked back at the map.

"We've managed to find something of interest. It appears though the infestation has reached across the entire city, the pests appear to be avoiding this district in particular." he explained, circulating the partially demolished district slated to be a shrine to the Spring King, an olive branch to the Outer City that reforms would continue.

"Well then, time to take a looksy and see what's making that place so special then." Dorji mused.

"Dorji, please be careful. Whatever is going on, we cannot afford to lose both you and the Queen to this threat. The city is already in danger from the threats without, never mind within." Chang asked, voice worried.

"It'll be fine Chang." Dorji said with a confident smile. "What's the worst that could happen?"

 

[Hyvelic]

THE WINDS OF FATE BLOW​

The world shifts and turns, and as it does new things come to light. Warlords Rise, and Warlords Fall. What is important, however, is that you do not lose your way in this world. It's time for action.

The deadline is set for the 27th of February.​

Spoiler: Maps

Spoiler: Stats

 

[Dovahsith]

Underneath Ba Sing Se
(Part 1 of an RP with @Hyvelic )​

The smell was, for once, worse than Dorji had initially expected. Considering she had just hopped down a hole into the city's ancient and labyrinthine sewer system, she was expecting it to be pretty bad.

At least she still met interesting people whenever she explored.

"Hey old man!" She called out to the pile of rags and dirt posing as a person. "You alright down here? Plenty of rats going crazy these days."

The old man grunted at her, layers of dirty cloth shifting as he squinted at the sudden intrusion into his home.

"As long as you don't mess with the big one they ignore you down here." he muttered, keeping himself between her and his pile of useful looking garbage.

"Oh." She said, tapping her chin with her finger as she pondered her next move. "Do you happen to know where the big one is?" she asked.

With a sigh, the man pulled out a carrot and took a bite. Chewing thoughtfully, he pointed the end down the tunnel, just beyond the edges of her torches light. Deeper into the sewers dark abyss.

"Thanks Mister!" Dorji chirped, fishing out a block of Tofu from within her pockets and passed it to the vagrant.

"Guang's a bit obsessed with cheese right now, so she won't mind her breakfast going missing." She explained before skipping away into the dark, torch held at her side as the small flickered flame vanished around the tunnel's bend.

The vagrant stood, holding the tofu block in confusion and scratched his head. Shrugging, he dipped it in the water and began eating his next meal.




As she continued into the sewers, Songshu hissed from his perch, the sugar glider staring into the darkness. Looking around, Dorji could see the gleam of rodent eyes, observing her from the shadows, their numbers increasing with every moment.

"Errr...hi there. Take me to your leader?" Dorji asks the rats, deciding to look towards the slightly bigger and therefore more in charge part of the swarm of furry sewer rodents

Songshu continues to give as much an intimidating glare towards the rats as a Sugar-glider can achieve when clinging to her shoulder.

The swarm's eyes all seemed to shift further into the tunnel's darkness, as though awaiting the command of their master.

"It would be really useful to know how to firebend right now..." muttered under her breath.

"Hello? Mister Rat King? I've come to bargain." She called out into the dark, torch held aloft.

A chill ran down her spine as colour faded from the world. She was in the sewers still, but wasn't. The world was grey, the light faded. She was in the spirit world?

"Hello? Is anyone there? I'm the Avatar. I've come to bargain for the sake of the city." Dorji calls out into the darkness

Skitterskitter was heard and a splash of water as something moved beyond her perception.

Dorji stepped away from the edge of the sewer water, looking towards the sound of the splash.

"Hello?" Dorji asked, eyes straining to see what had made the noise.

There she saw within the water's depths a stone door slowly swing open. A room, just in sight of the fire.

"Well, that's not creepy at all." She said to herself.

Dorji sighs as she squinted her eyes into the water and took in a comically deep breath. Songshu squeaked as he burrowed himself down the back of her neck to hung on to her clothes for dear life.

And then she dove, her body pushing through the water like a torpedo towards the door.

Reaching the doorframe, she fell, the water suddenly ending as she rolled onto a hard stone floor, air filling her lungs once more. All about her was a dark, damp, throne room.





"I'm so going to need a bath after this. A warm one. With scented candles. And that shampoo that smells like strawberries but tastes like hatred." Dorji promised herself.

Shaking herself like a dog, water pattering from her body as she bent the water from herself, the young Avatar looked about, torch still burning in her hand. It was strange. It offered no heat, but continued to shine it's light within this shadowy twilight realm.

"I'm here. You heard me announce myself and know why I've come. We need to talk now before more people are hurt." she called out.

"Rats, rats, we're the rats" hissed the darkness. "We prey at night, we stalk at night, we're the rats"

Looking about for anything she could use, her eyes fell upon a stacked brazier of wood. With a shrug, she held her torch against the bonfire which exploded into a bubble colour and light. Dorji smiled as she noted the other braziers within the room, the shadows held at bay by the colour she had brought into the room.

Zipping about with the speed and agility that only an airbender could muster, she began to light them all. Bit by bit light was created. Bit by bit, the shadows forced back.

Lighting the final bonfire, the room exploded into colour and there, sat upon a throne of dirt, sat a giant rat. It was grey and brown, its fur shifting colours as it laid it's bulk upon its throne with a regal bearing.

"Well, you might be rats, but I'm the Avatar, so you better deal with it!" Dorji called out, pacing towards the monster.

"Now explain why you are attacking the city and undo the changes you've done to the people there. Then we can sort out what you want and how it will be resolved peacefully." she stated.

"Now let me start off negotiations. Hello. I am the Avatar. I am cheesed to meet you."




The silence was deafening.

"We, feast, then, negotiate." the creature on the throne states.

Rats began to slowly drag bags of food into the light between the Rat-Creature on the throne and the Avatar.

"I.." Dorji froze as the rats emerged from the shadows, only relaxing as their bundles of food were dragged into the light. "That sounds reasonable."

It didn't do to refuse hospitality after all, even if the host was a giant rat monster currently leading an invasion of the mortal world to apparently fill up his larder.

Guang had been very insistent about how she needed to be more polite at the dinner table. Even if there wasn't a table.

Dorji stood waiting as the Rat King began to shovel food into it's gnashing jaws. It was pretty disgusting. Was this what people saw when she managed to find the banana pudding pies?

The Rat Spirit would gaze at the avatar, eyes incalculable. "You may also feast, although I must say… you are not what we expected."

"What's that supposed to mean? I haven't finished growing yet, you know!" she responded, the young woman glaring at the spirit.

"The Last Avatar we met, very volatile, regal, and non-verminous." The Giant explained.

"Oh" said Dorji, halting her tirade about the tyranny of the tall.

"So.., we've met before ?"

"Once, when the fields were green and the walls young. They… settled. They brought their Balance." explained the Rat-King, tone making clear it's opinion on the actions of humanity.

"This city has existed for thousands of years. Why are you harming it's people now? What changed?"

"Freedom, and we do not harm, we merely follow our path. My kindred must eat, they must survive, they must live. How are they any different from those who also live here?"

"If they gorge themselves uncontrollably, there will be nothing left. Both the humans and your kin will starve. Besides, if you do not harm, explain why Guang is turning into a rat!"

"Who?"

Dorji paused, squinting at the Rat-King as she tried to judge whether it was attempting to deceive her. It seemed honest…but rats didn't exactly have human tells when they were lying, did they?

"Errr, you know. Guang. Real snooty type. About this tall. Wears green all the time like she's growing moss. Stone headed, wants her own way all the time. Real mean when she wants to be. My best friend."

"I care not for mortals or the Lion-subjects. Who you describe does not awaken any recognition in me or my subjects."

Dorji continued staring at the Rat-King in confusion.

"Well if it's not you doing it, who is?" she demanded.

"I do not know. But, perhaps you can find answers. I have noticed a member of my court is missing. Perhaps he should know something that I do not. Do you agree?"

"I'll see if I can track him down. Then we can talk about settling this once and for all. What can you tell me about your missing kin?"

"He's a Rat-Dove, and-" there is chittering from a nearby rat-turtle, "He was seen prowling the halls of a... retainer I believe, of whom I do not know."

"Where did you find these halls?"

"Mumei," A rat with wings approached the Avatar "shall guide you to the halls in question."

"Thanks Mumei!" Dorji said cheerfully, well versed in receiving directions from a winged rodent.

Songshu continued to glare from his perch in her hood at the interlopers, looking back to the Rat-King with an expression that promised vengeance as the Avatar was led away by her guide back into the darkness.




To be continued....

 

[DeathslilHelper]

Ugly Work​

In a dark cell, with stone walls hidden behind thick sheets of metal, and only flickering candles for light, two burly guards pummeled the prisoner with fists and ironshod boots. Hit after blow after brutal strike. Without mercy. Their black cloth masks hid their faces and thoughts from the prisoner.

Bai watched quietly threw a spyhole in the reinforced door,

"How long have they been working?" He asked.

"An hour," Lau answered. The jailer was a short wide and wide man, with a nose that looked to have been broken many times. "Today anyway, we've kept the bastard awake for almost three days now, awake and uncomfortable."

Bai didn't pry at the details. "Hmm," he considered. After a moment. "Get the girl," he commanded.

"As you wish," Lau nodded and waddled off.

Bai looked back into the cell. "Stop," he commanded. "Stop!" He shouted when the beating continued.

The punches and kicks slowed and then stopped. The guards hefted the prisoner back into a tall backed wooden chair and clapped shackles around his neck, wrists, and ankles. Then they opened the door.

Bai entered the cell, his elegant robes were utterly at odds with the bloody and grimy cell surrounding him.

"How are you finding your accommodations, Lord Gao?"

Gao Mong coughed, spat blood, and managed to open one eye.

"Bai?" He was genuine in his confusion. "But… no I've… I've paid you a small fortune!"

"And is that supposed to give you power over me?" Bai made the question as condescending as possible.

"I… it's how things are done…" the noble muttered.

"Your attempts at bribery and corruption merely help to confirm your crimes, hoarding food in such difficult times."

"You have no proof! I am innocent. I am a lord of the Earth Kingdom when the Earth Queen hears of this!"

"I am the Earth Queens personal secretary, everything I do is at her command," Bai smiled mockingly. "You have broken her laws and will face the punishment."

"Listen," Gao protested. "We both know what this is really about, what do you want, more money? Fine, I'll give you anything you want just let me go."

"I have your confession," Bai pulled a scroll from his sleeve. "Would you like to read it? It's quite interesting, you admit to every charge laid against you, and submit as recompense all of your wealth and property to the Commission of Land Reform as recompense for your crimes against the people. And the Earth Queen," Bai added as an afterthought.

"That… That is meaningless without my signature."

"Then sign it."

"No."

Bai rubbed his crippled eye. "I don't like doing this," he said. "But you're being very uncooperative. Now!" He shouted to those waiting outside the cell.

There was a pause, and then an earsplitting scream. A young girl's scream.

"That's your daughter out there," Bai said when the first screams ended. He leaned forward looking into Gao's sleep-deprived and half-mad eyes. "You can stop this, just sign here."

The screams rose again, high and shrill with unimaginable pain.

"Alright!" Gao broke tears in his eyes. "Alright! Just give me a brush!"

Bai sighed in relief. "Enough!" He shouted, and the screaming stopped. He turned his attention back to Gao, who was sobbing loudly and sagging against the restraints. "There is nothing more undoing than a daughter," he said. "One of my clerks will be here shortly, after that," Bai drew a knife and set it on the ground.

"For if the dishonour is too much to bear," he answered Gao's wordless question.

In two quick steps, he was at the door, where he paused again and turned back to Gao. "I will take care of your family," he promised. Bai ignored the anger and despair in Gao's eyes, it was the price of ugly work.

The hall outside was empty save for two guards who flanked a young, and unharmed, girl.

He approached Jun. She wore peasant clothes in the Lower Ring style, common clothes and ill-fitting, but her long hair was bound with a high-quality jade butterfly clasp, the fruits of her labours.

"Was I loud enough?" Jun asked with a cheerful smile.

Bai smiled, Jun had lungs stronger than a veteran drill sergeant and was the best screamer he'd recruited.

"I almost went deaf," he slipped a silver coin out of nowhere and danced it through his fingers.

Jun grinned at the magic trick and snatched it out of the air when Bai flicked it toward her.

"Get her back home in time for supper," he told the guards.

"Bye mister Bai!" Jun shouted as she followed the guards back out of the tunnels.

A few minutes later Lau approached bearing the signed confession and a bloody knife.

Bai quickly reviewed the confession, nodded, and slipped it into his sleeve. Ugly it might be, but it was necessary work.


-----
tldr Dorji left Bai alone too long so the PG filter turned off.

 

[Megaman201]

"Name?"

"Kovu, son of Dovu."

"Occupation?"

"M-Merchant, sir."

"Names of family and friends?"

"A-Ah, uhm, my wife Sona and my son Rovu are in the wagon, a-and I have a friend named Klora further down the line."

"Your wagon will be searched. Assuming we do not find any contraband, you will proceed through the gates and head west. The King has set up a district for refugees there."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

Ten minutes pass, during which Garon would sigh, the scalp underneath his helmet starting to itch. Metal, surprisingly, yet another new design of the Mekking. Plates of metal with tough leather underneath, and a layer of cotton cloth beneath that. Watching sparks fly as a bandit's dagger fails to pierce steel never gets old, but nonetheless, this time the Omashu Guard Legion wasn't out putting down raiders and pirates. Instead, they had to deal with this train that spans the length and breadth of the path to Omashu.

Refugees.

Coming from the battles being waged in the northeast, where those blasted savages have taken city after city. Garon would huff, lifting the visor of his helmet to take a sip from his canteen, the sun beating down on the whole wagon-train as it rises. The man's been serving his nation faithfully for the past five years now and he hasn't seen anything like this. Chaos and disorder throughout the Earth Kingdom. Times like these he wishes that the old legends of the Avatar aren't for nothing.

The wagon search comes up clean and Garon waves the man and his family through. They'll go through another round of questioning, meant as a first screening for spies, and then head into the refugee district, and that's all he's paid to know.

Hefting his "crossed bow" to point the loaded bolt skyward, Garon would raise his voice above the din of animals, farmers, and the odd nobleman coming into the city.

"Next!"

-----------------------------------------

A loud CRACK follows the sound of a thick cable snapping back into place. A whistle of a bolt as long as a man is tall flying through the air. A loud thunk as it impacts the wooden targets, knocking over several members of the faux formation. A round of applause from robed men as the inventor in the center of the arena-like stadium bows, his demonstration complete. From his position at the top of the stands, Duànzào would be a part of the applause, a small smile on his face despite the largely empty seating area. His Think Tank is progressing, slowly to be sure, but making leaps and bounds. The concept of the Ballista was an interesting one, and Duànzào could see the logic behind it, but he can't help but feel like it could be improved...

"Korov." He'd say to the guard next to him, the armored spearman snapping to attention. "When is the demonstration for the conveyor belt to take place?"

"After this one, sir." The man would reply after a short few moments to check the scroll, detailing the schedule of today's round of presentations.

"I see... You were a smith before you were a soldier, is that right?"

The guard seemed surprised, but nodded nonetheless. "Yes my lord, that I was. If I may, I am surprised you knew that."

"I make it a point to learn about my bodyguards, Korov. Even if your helmets are face-concealing - something I'm planning to fix, by the by - I'd rather my men not be perceived as a faceless mass of replaceable parts. You are all warriors of Omashu, after all, and deserve your legacy remembered."

"That is... thank you, my lord, for your care. But, may I ask what my past has to do with this?"

"Ah, yes, my apologies." Ignoring the shift of metal at the King apologizing to a Guard, Duànzào would retrieve a scroll from his robes and open it up, revealing yet another print of plans detailing a multitude of forges with lines trailing towards a single depot, markings indicating people and work stations along the lines. "Tell me, do you think smiths could work in tandem? Say, one batch makes a helmet, another makes a chest plate?"

Korov would grunt as he leaned over to inspect the paper better, tilting his visor up and out of his face with piercing brown eyes scanning the drawing. "It... could be done, my lord. It'd be a great change of pace for many, and you might see some of the more stubborn folk butting heads over the "right" way to do things, but I don't think there'd be too much trouble if you have someone who knows what they're doing."

Duànzào would nod, rolling up the scroll and gently replacing it back in his robes. "My thanks, Korov. I will take it under consideration."

Now then, what's this idea from his minister about an "Omashu Overture"?

 

[Dovahsith]

Nightmares​

"You, yeah you. Looks like you're finally awake."

Meng groaned as the aches and pains of sleeping with his back against the hard wood of the covered wagon flared up, causing him to stretch within the cramped space filled with his squad-mates.

It had seemed like such a grand adventure at first. To join the army and see the world far from his hometown of Liji. Instead of waking up each day to help his father bring in the day's catch, to repeat the same routine until the day he died, he instead was part of the Earth King's army. A grand, invincible host marching against those who would threaten his homeland.

Or at least that's what the recruiting officer had told him. Instead he got bad food, bad pay (when it arrived) and getting stuck in a wagon chasing bandits in a desert. He'd never seen so much sand in his life and he'd grown up next to a beach for Spirits sake!

Every day another pointless patrol looking for an enemy who simply fled before them. Occasionally they'd find a village belonging to the Sandbenders. They'd destroy it of course, to deny the enemy a base, then regret destroying the only decent shelter for miles whenever the next sandstorm hit.

That was assuming the wagon didn't get stuck again. Which it would. There were hardly decent roads in the desert and like clockwork, the wheels would sink into the desert sands, overburdened by the weight of much needed and often dwindling water supplies or soldiers taking shelter from the everpresent sun burning down on them.

He was hardly a veteran, hell, the closest thing to a battle he'd thought was chucking a few rocks in a skirmish, catching the tailend of a rearguard action by the tribals as what passed for their civilians fled the slowly tightening noose of the Earth King's control over the desert.

He'd heard that soon this would be over. That this final grand attack would break the backs of the enemy. That somewhere in the teeming mass of troops, the Earth King himself commanded the assault, the largest force sent so far against the Sandbenders. As he said, he was hardly a veteran, but he'd been in the army long enough to gain enough cynicism to doubt this would be the end of it.

The wagon shuddered to a halt, the ostrich-horses honking in distress as they strained against their harnesses. A noise echoing all around them from beyond the thick green cloth canopy of the wagon's shelter.

Sticking his head out, Meng squinted as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the day. They were in a canyon, the brick red rock of steep cliffs towering upwards on both sides. Stretching for miles behind and in front of them, the armies of the Earth Kingdom marched. A noisy, bustling mess of men and animals that churned up sand and dust, choking the air with their movement and deafening the ear with their noise. Behind them, the next wagon along came to a stop, the drover wordlessly cursing at the delay as the march stumbled to a halt.

Sighing to himself, Meng clambered down, wincing as the hot sand clung to the bare soles of his feet. He had never hated the gift of his bending, not until he'd come here. Then the lack of shoes required to keep a connection to the earth meant little when sand heated for several hours under the sun's rays clung between his toes. Not that wearing shoes would stop it from getting everywhere anyway, but it was a soldier's prerogative to grumble.

Taking a look at the wheels, he saw the issue immediately. They'd sunk into the sand, again. A common enough problem, one that his squad was well versed in solving. Soon enough, the troopers were pushing the wagon through the obstruction, muscles tensing as they lifted it clear. Naturally the officers simply observed from a distance, pondering their charts and battleplans for whatever imagined glories lay in their future. Practically shouting at one another to be heard over the din of the army on the move, Meng couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"Captain, the map doesn't have any canyons in this part of the desert." said Lieutenant Yi.

"Are you certain you are looking at the correct spot Yi?" replied Captain Song, the ageing potbellied officer red in the face from too long under the sun, delicately dabbing his face with a well stained silken handkerchief.

"I did, Sir. I've identified the landmarks and outposts passed so far on our route, but this location should have just been a section of the dunes. Theoretically the cliffs could lay under it, but Sir, exposing this much so soon since the last survey, it's impossible."

"How so? It's not like the natives can't bend the sand, detestable as they are."

"There haven't been any encounters in this region for months now sir. Not in the numbers required to dislodge enough to cover a fraction of what was present here."

"Are you trying to tell me that a single bender uncovered an entire valley hidden beneath the desert, for what?"

"I think so we'd march through it sir."

A chill ran down Meng's spine. A tremble of nerves and animal instinct that warns the mind that they have fallen into the trap of a far more deadly creature.

The ground trembled. A ripple skittering across the surface of the sand like waves on the ocean, scattering loose pebbles and debris and rocking the wagons of the convoy from side to side like ships caught on rough waters.

"SANDSTORM!"

The call was taken up by more and more voices, travelling down both ends of the column. Meng looked about, as a wall of sand rose from the desert to surround the canyon. Sand began to flow like a river down the cliff's sides, filling the valley beneath.

Men began to try to circle wagons for shelter, bending great walls of rock and earth from what little exposed stone they could find. It mattered not. The sand flowed over it, washing away defences and defenders alike.

There would be no escape.

A great roar filled the air, the sound of angry winds, strong enough to drive the desert itself before it.

And there, in the dark cloud of sand and rocks, lit by tongues of fire striking forth came the source of the attack. A single figure that floated in defiance of the storm summoned about them. Eyes that burned with the intensity of the stars.

Meng dropped to his knees and closed his eyes, exhaling as the wave of onrushing sand took him.

Their deaths were now certain.

The avatar was here.





Dorji awoke with a yell, chest heaving, heart racing.The world was dark and smelly. She was…still in the sewers?

No, she had left the tunnels beneath the city, she could remember that much at least. They'd spent the night camped just outside of the city walls. Not that it didn't stop the smell of the sewer from clinging to her…she really needed that bath.

Mumei hovered nearby, the winged rat looking concerned but unwilling to risk getting close to an increasingly protective Songshu, the sugar glider growling from his perch on her head.

"Sorry about that." She mumbled, rubbing her eyes and yawning as she got to her feet, hearing Songshu squeak in surprise as he was forced to hop from her head back to the hood of her parka. "Bad dream."

"We are close." Mumei replied. The rat spirit was clearly unwilling to deal with her asking if they were there yet. She hadn't asked that many times…probably?

Gliding across to a nearby rock, the rat gestured a tiny paw to point towards a nearby estate, the burning torches of its occupants lighting out in the early morning light.

"And your…" the rat spirit inside wasn't exactly a friend. He'd turned Guang into a giant mouse after all. "Colleague is inside that building somewhere?" There. And people thought she couldn't use fancy words when she wanted to!

"Yes." Squeaked Mumei.

Well, she'd been inside those kinds of estates before. Admittedly, they were ruins usually, but nobles in the Earth Kingdom weren't exactly big on original designs. They just tended to try and copy each other with bigger and more expensive looking decorations rather than actually change anything. So looking around wouldn't be a problem.

No, she thought to herself. The problem would be getting inside without alerting the guards. She could probably get past those guarding the front gate without much problem. She was pretty fast after all, but if it came to a fight…her thoughts strayed back to the dream which was more memory and regret than fantasy.

No, she'd find another way in.

She wouldn't be that kind of Avatar.

 

[Dovahsith]

A Night outside of the City Walls
(Done with information from @Hyvelic )​

It had been a rather quiet night's work. Fa was pretty pleased with himself all things considered. The cicadas merrily chirped away in the darkness. He had half a bottle of wine somewhere in his mess kit waiting for him and his part of the wall kept enough of the sun's heat in it's bricks that whenever he slouched against it, it gave a nice toasty feeling on his back. It was all rather relaxing.

He just wished Pihang, his partner on duty, would loosen up. The man was ready to jump at shadows, not exactly a good attitude to have in his opinion. They were standing next to a torch at night after all. There were shadows everywhere.

"You sure you don't fancy a little nightcap?" He offered, fishing about for his wineskin. He was sure it was there somewhere, among the empty ones anyway. It would be a bit embarrassing to offer something he didn't have after all.

"Could you be any more unprofessional Fa?" Pihang said with an indignant sniff of irritation.

Fa paused, scratching his scalp for a moment, before shrugging. "Probably?" He offered with a sheepish grin.

Pihang scowled at him, opening his mouth to retort then suddenly closed it as a sudden gust of wind flowed past them. He gagged, holding his nose as he let his spear lean against his body in the crook of his arm.

"Fa…did you, oh spirits. What is that smell?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about." Fa said in confusion as the sudden trickle of an odor best described as festering garbage struck his nostrils with the force of a siege weapon, sending him into coughing fits.

"You..you sick bastard. You should see a doctor or something. And stop drinking! It can't be good for you if this is the result!" cried

"You cruel tyrant Piheng! You aren't even my officer. Or my wife! You can't blame your stink on me!"




Dorji clung to the windowsill above the squabbling guards.

It hadn't been that hard really. The wall was low enough that she could use it as a springboard to leap from and reach what she noticed to be an open window. After that it would be a simple matter to pull herself into the window sill and slip inside…

The window was locked.

That wasn't fair at all! Surely it was cheating to have your window look deceptively inviting, only to add basic security precautions?
Sighing, she took a closer look at the lock. The keyhole wasn't too small. It looked simple enough that she might be able to pick it, assuming she had something that could manipulate the insides without just breaking the entire thing. Airbending wouldn't cut it. Not unless she fancied rattling it hard enough to break the glass and alerting everyone that she was breaking in.

She needed…Dorji noticed the stormdrains lining the roof, still damp from the previous day's rainfall. She was the Avatar wasn't she? Surely she could bend a little bit of water to unlock the window?

Narrowing her eyes in concentration, she nimbly hopped onto the roof tiles and began to pull at the remaining puddles, drawing forth a small ball of the water.

She had done it! She was a waterbender!

Now all she needed to do was carefully manipulate the internal mechanism of the lock and let herself into the building.

The lock clicked open as the window was pushed inwards. Songshu sat on the windowsill, a pair of lock-picks held in his tiny claws as he nibbled on the ends of the two slender picks.

Or she could just leave it to the professionals she supposed. Her pet really had spent too much time with Bai. She was beginning to worry about the habits the sugar glider might be picking up.

Slipping inside, Mumei gliding in after her, she noticed how dark the room was as she dropped silently to the cold stones of the floor.

The moonlight streaming in through the now open window was the only source of light. No torches were lit and the door was barred from the outside. It was a prison cell made for a single being. A being that squatted in a cage hanging on chains on the far wall. The prisoner's yellow eyes look up in fear and desperate hope, meeting Dorji's gaze.

And she felt a great swell of anger rise from within her.

​

Li Rahong was running away. He had decided that this was by far the smartest move he could take.

Ignoring the din of battle behind him, he ran until his heart and lungs felt they were about to burst. He had erred, he had decided. He had expected the Avatar to be brazen in her approach. The wrath of an angry god though undeniable, was far from subtle in it's arrival. Enough warning given for the chance to flee at it's approach or prepare contingencies. Instead, using her supernatural powers, the Avatar had summoned some sort of sewer goblin!

How was he supposed to know that harvest venom from a captured spirit wouldn't kill that little bitch in Ba Sing Se outright! Surely even an animal, spirit as it is, would have thought it was a good idea to bring it up before he attempted his failed assassination attempt?

That he was holding it prisoner against its will was ignored, the train of thought interrupted as several of his guards were slammed into the wall ahead of him by a sudden powerful gust of wind. Crying out in alarm, he quickly dived for cover, watching as the assassin burst from the roof of his mansion, sending shards of tiled pottery clattering to the ground around him.

They would pay for this insult! The Avatar, the Earth Queen, the spirits themselves! This Li Rahong swore!

The rafters groaned as the section of the house holding the prisoner collapsed inwards on itself, unable to remain standing as the damage of the battle took its toll.

Li Rahong gulped nervously, adams apple bobbing in panic as he surveyed the damage to his estate. Perhaps revenge would have to come later. When he was far, far away from what was no doubt the vengeful hand of the Earth Queen's justice.

 

[Revan4221X]

The Bashun Family Archives
Spirit Containment and Breakage
​

"How does one contain that which can phase through matter itself and change their very beings? These were the questions my ancestors faced. And like any challenge put in the path of humanity, it was overcome." - Shan Bashun

Spirits are not beings like you or I nor are they like the animals we farm and ride. They are things of pure energy and emotion and are as fickle as the very emotions they are formed from. Anger, love, happiness, serenity, hate, calmness, anything you feel they are formed from. This may lead one to foolishly believe that they are what many so foolishly believe they represent but they in fact do not. Even the greater spirits of Raava and Vaatu are as necessary as the smallest of bunny spirits, which is to say not at all. Their imposed balance is nothing but a fictions lie to grant themselves power for if we humans believe in them then they will grow. But it is in that, there lies their weaknesses. Perception is reality to the Spirits. And if they believe something to be true, even on an individual level, it will be so. By spreading myth and creating folklore we have created a weakness, Silver.

By our creation, ingrained in the psyche of the Spirits is the imposed weakness of silver. Even something as a silver coating is enough to prevent them from phasing through an object. And with metal collars and chains we can force them into a more physical form. It is a necessary limitation even if it makes them vulnerable to conventional weapons as without it they would not be so easily controlled or contained and even so they are still more resilient and strong then anything found in the physical world. There is however another weakness that is not dependent on belief. Spirit Water. This spiritual liquid is renowned for its healing properties and while uncommon not difficult to obtain. Due to it's spiritual nature the Spirits can not pass through it like normal materials either and it can be used as a base for alchemical creations that can even affect them. With these two weaknesses we can contain any spirit in a solid steel cage of silver and spirit water coating.

But then how does one break a spirit and turn it into a tool?

The answer is not as complex as one might think. Even just being contained is often enough to render a spirit into their darker form. Once a Dark Spirit the true work can begin. Their will must be broken and while physical torture might be appealing and can work it is not very effective and runs the risk of a breakout. Instead it is isolation that breaks them. Being trapped in confined spaces and not being seen at all is enough to drive them mad. Once in this state they are more receptive to commands and can be fitted with the silver collar. This collar is made with a silver-steel alloy and is made with inner spikes so as to prevent the spirit from just squeezing their head out of it. Once collared they are rendered physical and can over time be trained. Do not mistake them to be docile once the training is complete. If they were to be released they would go on a rampage and unless recaptured can not be controlled or pacified. These mad spirits are not known to ever revert back to their original state and so on their death will continue rampaging back in the spirit world sowing further chaos. So it is best that they be recontained rather than killed.

That is how one contains and break a spirit. For more in-depth details and techniques see those sections of the archives. The Spirits and their Avatar may have tried to destroy our knowledge but they were less then thorough and now this knowledge falls onto you descendent. Use the knowledge contained in these archives well.

 

[Bandeirante]

Ma Liao's teaup sat untouched atop the low table laid atop the thick, red rug on the floor of his tent. The General sat propped up on a few stained pillows. Still wearing his armor, sweaty and dusty from riding hard through the morning. Opposite to the General sat a man, older but more travel worn and ragged in appearance, taking small sips of his cup as he listened cautiously - and afraid - to the man who claimed to rule these lands.

"The Queen Guang, beloved by all, assures that you and your people will find protection and succour in Her loving bosom." Ma Liao declared. "And as Her loyal General, charged by Her hand to carry out her will, I assure you, my good Tao, that I will do what I can to give you and yours the shelter and support they need."

"We are relieved to hear that, General." Elder Tao replied, relaxing fraction. "It-"

"Of course." Ma Liao interrupted. "This is a two way arrangement" And just like that Elder Tao stiffened again. "As Her Majesty's loyal subjects, we all have the duty and privilege of owning our service to the throne at Ba Sing Se." The General paused, shifting on his seat to lean forward, elbows at the table as he regarded the Elder with a rueful smile. "We are also incredibly overstretched as it is. The Avatar, I have been told, has already pledged her support. But the Earth Kingdom is vast and troubles are many." And they have spent weeks unable to get a single envoy to the Inner City. But Ma Liao wasnt going to be sharing that little tidbit anytime soon. "So us, in this little corner have to make do with what we have until further notice."

"I-I understa-"

"You are a hard worker, arent you, Elder Tao?" Ma Liao interrupted again. Leaning further into the refugee's personal space. "Im sure you are!" He declared shooting back into his pillows.

"We are humble folk, General." The Elder replied somberly. "But we had made ourselves a honest life before the Prince's men showed up."

"Miserable lot the whole group of them." The General nodded sympathetically. "Utterly deranged." He smiled then, an eager, toothy thing. "You wont need to worry about them anymore. My lads are very good at their trade. Any of these ridiculous demagogues, ploughmen, priests or whatever that try coming here will end up as fertilizer before they can notice what's going on." The smile remained for a few moments before the General seemingly got a hold of himself. "Now that brings us to your duties. That is, if you accept the deal. Your people will settle here in the lands under my protection. Like many other bands of refugees have already done. And in doing so you will dedicate yourselves to serving the Queen's cause, may She reign forever."

The Elder considered it silently, draining his tea cup and refilling it himself before finally asking: "And what do you mean by service, General?"

"Labor mostly." Ma Liao explained. "I need able and strong hands everywhere. Fields need to be cleared to feed you all. Roads need to be repaired. Infrastructure restored. Blades forged and forges expanded. Our duties are many and each one of them as important and necessary as the other. Your enlistment into the Labor Corps would go a long way in helping the Earth Kingdom. Accept my offer, take my hand, Elder Tao, and your people will have food and protection. And I will have the tools to ensure at least this little corner of the Earth Kingdom is made safe for people like you."

"And...if I do not accept your offer, General?" The Elder asked hesitantly.

"Then you have no place here, I'm afraid. Your people will be escorted outside of this military district and your fate will lie elsewhere." Ma Liao replied before finally taking a sip of his, now cold, tea. "Needless to say, this would be a very unwise move."

The silence lingered for a moment. Ma Liao extended an armored hand across the table. Elder Tao hesitated but for a moment before shaking it.

"I knew from the look of you that you were a wise man, Elder Tao." Ma Liao smiled as he jumped to his feet. "My men will escort you to Bu. The proper documentation will be handled there. Once you are settled you shall receive your first assigments."

Taking his cue, the Elder gave the General a half unsure, half wobbly bow and walked out of the tent to share the news with his people.