Winning vote: [X] Spend some time in the Southern Capital first. (may choose two)
-[x] Aimlessly wander around the city.
-[x] See about the local light spirits.
Korra arrives in the South! (Month 10, part 9)
...spend the rest of the day in the capital before leaving for the icy wilderness.
Your group departs from the boat with the sun resting high in the sky and check-in at one of the many hotels lining the coast, and then you all split up from there. The Water Unionists split up into a bunch of smaller groups, spreading around the city and the surrounding smaller villages. The members of the Experimental Station headed for either Varrick's Lab or the local university (or maybe both).
That left you, your parents, and Asami to do as you pleased.
The longer distances in the Southern Ice Sheet, the presence of the Everstorm, and the hostile light spirits would make the trip to the South Pole from here take much longer than the trip to the North Pole from the northern capital. Many days as compared to many hours. You all take a moment to stand atop the hills at the outskirts of the city and you can see it in the distance, lurking menacingly. You all decide to start the day by buying gear, and once that's secured, you all go around and explore the city.
The South's busy port and well-developed industrial sector mean that you see more people from other nations here than you did at the north pole. It's reminiscent of the Water Tribe majority areas of Republic City. Your father comments that things were like that even when he and your mother used to live here, and he occasionally comments on shops and sights that he recognizes in the town.
What he doesn't recognize are the many soldiers stationed in the city. Seems like your uncle has decided to have the city pull double duty as a commercial and military hotspot for the Water Tribes. The ones on duty as stationed in pairs of Northerner and Southerner, and the Southerners who recognize your dad greet you all warmly and chat with him. The Northerners look at your group with suspicion, but make no hostile moves.
But in any case, Tonraq's tour of the city takes up most of the day, which passes by like a light breeze... save for one incident.
As the northern capital was home to dark spirits, the southern capital was home to light spirits. They take many different forms, though thankfully there don't seem to be any light oni wandering around are looking for fights. Not long after you all eat lunch and find yourselves near the Industrial Sector (not that you planned on staying there long due to the bad smell and smoky skies), you hear the chiming of bells, and look up to see several small light spirits descending upon you. They're glowing humanoids with butterfly-moth wings that are adorned in shining ice and metal.
When Asami and your parents make a move to back away and give you some privacy, one of the spirits speaks. "You may stay, friends and family of Avatar Korra."
And so they do.
"Let me guess, you're going to ask me to release Raava?" you ask.
"That is correct," they say in unison, producing an odd echoing effect.
"Well, I'm going to give you the same answer that I've given to every other spirit – I haven't made a firm decision yet." That's a lie at this point, of course, but you're hoping that they can't tell from your expression.
"We see," they say, unfazed. "Perhaps we can convince you to change your mind?"
Personally, you doubt it, but you're willing to listen to them and let them speak. And as they do, the information they give you regarding Raava is quite revealing. This conflict between Raava and Vaatu occurs roughly every ten thousand years, and Raava had been the winner of the last conflict, giving her full reign of the living world. And in her reign, she was quite busy in arranging things for both humans and spirits alike according to her designs.
As the Great Spirit of Order and Light, that's precisely what she created in the world. The spirits that normally ran wild and did as they pleased were instead constrained by her control and subject to her demands. The humans remaining in the Spirit Wilds were forced into settlements and ruled from above by light spirits under her command.
As they describe it, the arrangement of things makes you think of honeybees. Each bee has its own role in the hive that it must play, but for bees it's something that they simply do – it's not imposed on them by, say, a wasp or a bear. If this is supposed to be convincing, it's not working.
It gets worse when you ask them what they would do about the human governments. While it's good that they agree that Unalaq's control over the South is bad, they would just replace it with Raava's control... and also do that with everyone else on the planet.
"No."
"Hm?"
"Nope. Not letting Raava out. Not letting Vaatu out either. And that's final!" you declare to them.
You're not sure how they make disappointed sounding bell chimes, but they do it as a group.
"But, Avatar Korra..."
"No buts!"
"...very well."
They then float off, making sad chiming noises.
You sigh.
"Dear, are you still going to talk to Raava when we reach the South Pole?" asks your mom. "You sound like you've settled things already, but you might learn something more by talking to her directly."
You think it over. She has a point... but do you want to deal with that headache?
[] Sure, you can try to talk to Raava. (may write-in questions)
[] No, you've made up your mind. Just clear up the storm, open the portals, and leave.
-[] In fact, thinking it over, maybe you shouldn't actually leave the portals open.
QM Note: Next update is the actual expedition. To the South Pole!
[X] Sure, you can try to talk to Raava. (may write-in questions)
-[x] how flexible can you be? You are the spirit of order but does that order have to take the same form every time?
-[x] Vaatu's being a dick about this, would you be willing to attempt alternate means of resolution/organization if only to oppose his intransigence?
-[x] how do spirits like you two have fights or establish ascendency anyway? Aren't you both immortal and roughly equally powerful and versatile?
-[x] would you be willing to restrict your direct influence to the spirit world?
[X] Sure, you can try to talk to Raava. (may write-in questions)
-[x] how flexible can you be? You are the spirit of order but does that order have to take the same form every time?
-[x] Vaatu's being a dick about this, would you be willing to attempt alternate means of resolution/organization if only to oppose his intransigence?
-[x] how do spirits like you two have fights or establish ascendency anyway? Aren't you both immortal and roughly equally powerful and versatile?
-[x] would you be willing to restrict your direct influence to the spirit world?
Winning vote:
[X] Sure, you can try to talk to Raava. (may write-in questions)
-[x] how flexible can you be? You are the spirit of order but does that order have to take the same form every time?
-[x] Vaatu's being a dick about this, would you be willing to attempt alternate means of resolution/organization if only to oppose his intransigence?
-[x] how do spirits like you two have fights or establish ascendency anyway? Aren't you both immortal and roughly equally powerful and versatile?
-[x] would you be willing to restrict your direct influence to the spirit world?
Korra and an Expedition III (Month 10, part 10)
"...I think I will," you say to your mom. "I have some questions for her still..."
You go over them with the rest of the group over dinner, ending up with four major ones. One about her flexibility, one about coming up with an alternate plan, one about the nature of their conflict, and one about willingness to limit themselves. When you return to the hotel, you learn that some of the Water Unionists and members of the Experimental Station will be staying behind, leaving a much smaller group to travel with you. But that's not a big deal, since not much should happen during the trip, right? Besides, you're able to keep in touch using a mobile radio system in case anything happens.
Your group departs in the morning without much fanfare, heading for the South Pole and the Everstorm.
Unlike the journey to the North Pole, the rough conditions make the trip to the South Pole rough-going, despite not being that much further away from its respective capital city. The Everstorm, that rampaging blizzard, lowers visibility to the point where you can barely see past your own nose at times, forcing you to travel at a relative crawl. While no light spirits come to accost you, you can feel their presence nearby at all times... well at least for the first two days. On the third day, the storm intensifies as you all get closer and closer to the South Pole, and at that point you can't sense them around anymore.
You briefly wonder if they all got blown away before deciding not to worry about it. You can feel a much stronger spiritual presence, which you assume is Raava, and lead the others to where she must be kept.
You all travel further and further...
"Look!"
...and after a certain point, the Everstorm completely dissipates... no, you must be in the center of the storm. The winds are calm and there's no falling snow anymore. The terrain is still icy and rocky though, so you can only go so much faster. But you can at least see what you've been looking for now. Much like at the North Pole, there's a Spirit Forest and the sealed portal must be inside it. Unlike at the North Pole, the whole forest is frozen over. You can't see the Spirit Portal, but your hands are glowing, so it must be nearby.
You hop off your vehicle and the rest of the group joins you in travelling on foot.
"Is that supposed to happen?" asks Asami.
You nod. "The portal is nearby... but where?"
You glance around. The forest is more like an icy maze now, but you tell the group to stick together since you can sense other spirits here. Last time, the portal was at the center of the forest, so you lead the group there...
"To think, this was all here the whole time..."
"It's incredible!"
"...I don't think those other expeditions ever made it here."
"We didn't run into their bodies either."
"So they got blown off course?"
"Or they were attacked by hostile spirits."
...and the others converse like that while you focus. You eventually end up leading them into an underground passage, with dead roots sticking out of the ceiling and ice-covered walls surrounding you all. You're getting closer and closer... you can feel it! The passage leads to a big cavern with a partially open ceiling and a frozen over pool in the center. At the center of that pool, buried in ice, is a glowing blue orb.
You breathe out a massive burst of fire... but it does nothing.
"Ahhhh! Come on!"
You go into the Avatar State and leap over towards the pool...
"Korra! Look out!"
...and barely air-bend your way out of a bunch of living roots, who decided to try and ensnare you. You see your parents and some of the Water Unionists pull on the surrounding ice to combat the roots, and so return your attention to the frozen over portal. If fire won't work, you'll try bending the ice itself... or perhaps through it! You place both of your hands on the ice, directly overtop the blue orb, and push.
The world around you erupts into a sea of blue light.
.
.
.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, HUMAN!?"
"SHE HAS DONE WHAT IS NECESSARY."
When your vision returns, you can see that you're back in the same sparse landscape as when you last encountered Vaatu. This time, however, the iced over parts are free of said ice, so you can now see that the stone pillar contains within itself a white orb, and that behind you is a pillar of blue light. The rest of the group has emerged from that pillar to join you, though they're keeping their distance from Raava and Vaatu.
"So, you're Raava then?" you ask. "I have some questions for you..."
"THERE IS NO TIME FOR QUESTIONS. HURRY AND RELEASE ME SO THAT WE MAY CRUSH VAATU AND BRING ORDER TO THE WORLD."
"No."
"WHAT!?"
"HA! SO MUCH FOR CRUSHING ME!"
"SILENCE!"
"MAKE ME. OH WAIT. YOU'RE SEALED TOO! HAHAHAHA!"
Raava's menacing presence increases further while Vaatu continues to laugh and the others retreat closer to the exit. She continues to yell at him and he alternates between laughing at her and taunting her back. These two... are they Great Spirits or overgrown children? Regardless, they've been ignoring you for a while...
"Both of you, shut up!!!" you yell aloud while also entering the Avatar State.
"OOOH, NICE! I ALMOST FELT THAT~!"
"HOW DARE YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!?"
"If you don't listen to me, not only will I leave you both here, I'll bury both of you under ice forever!"
"HMM. A CUTE THREAT, BUT YOU LACK THE MIGHT TO BACK IT UP."
"HE IS CORRECT... BUT IF YOU ALLIED WITH ME, PERHAPS WE COULD..."
"No! No promises! Just answer my questions, and maybe I'll think it over."
The two of them assent, and you get to your questions. Since Vaatu is here and this is no longer a private conversation, you decide to stick to the last two.
First, there's the matter of their battles. How do the two of them fight anyway? Conceptually, aren't they equally powerful? How does one of them win? As it turns out, they fight much the same way anyone else does – physically, with combat tenacles and spirit light beams. When they had armies, those armies would also fight, causing about as much destruction in their wake as the two of them by themselves. Yeah, you can understand why people would be opposed to that happening every so often...
Second, there's the matter of their reach. You explain to them that humans have re-opened the portals between the human and spirit worlds, but that the two realms are mostly independent still. You ask then, if they're willing to keep themselves within just the Spirit World and leave humanity alone. Both of them, however, deny this, declaring that they alone have the right to rule over both worlds. Out of the corner of your eye, you notice several Water Unionists returning to the human world, probably to report that to the rest of the group. Asami and your mom look concerned, while your dad looks ready to start fighting.
You're in the mood too, but... now's not the time.
On the other hand, maybe you can go on the offensive?
(How does Korra approach Raava and Vaatu's refusal to cooperate?) [][RV] Try to threaten them into working with you. Bluff that you know the Spirit Sages and can throw them right back into their cages if they don't comply. (requires 75+ to pass)
[][RV] Try to negotiate with them. Surely, there has to be something you offer them to get them to not fight or to at least take the fighting elsewhere? (must write-in details)
[][RV] Ask them more questions and then leave: (write-in)
[][RV] Just leave.
(Is there anything else you'd like to do back at the capital?) [][SC] Yes
-[][SC] Attempt to sneak into the royal palace.
-[][SC] Visit the Water-bending school.
-[][SC] (write-in)
[][SC] No
QM Note: This month will have five more parts, followed by News and Rumors.
I don't have any particularly good ideas ... Eh, I'll take that option for now.
[X][RV] Try to threaten them into working with you. Bluff that you know the Spirit Sages and can throw them right back into their cages if they don't comply. (requires 75+ to pass)
[X][SC] Yes
-[X][SC] Visit the Water-bending school.
[X][RV] Ask them more questions and then leave: (write-in)
-[x] what makes a spirit light or dark?
-[x] is every spirit light or dark?
-[x] what do light or dark spirits get out of following their respective oversized flatworm?
-[x] if there are unaligned spirits what role do they play in all this?
-[x] we get that you batter each other like badger-chimps to decide dominance, the question is how does that accomplish anything since you're both equally powerful immortals who can't kill each other, how does damage translate into victory?
[X][SC] Yes
-[x][SC] Visit the Water-bending school.
Winning vote: [X][RV] Ask them more questions and then leave: (write-in)
-[x] what makes a spirit light or dark?
-[x] is every spirit light or dark?
-[x] what do light or dark spirits get out of following their respective oversized flatworm?
-[x] if there are unaligned spirits what role do they play in all this?
-[x] we get that you batter each other like badger-chimps to decide dominance, the question is how does that accomplish anything since you're both equally powerful immortals who can't kill each other, how does damage translate into victory?
[X][SC] Yes
-[x][SC] Visit the Water-bending school.
Korra, Raava, and Vaatu (Month 10, part 11)
While you're tempted to tell both of these two so-called "Great Spirits" off, you decide that it'll be more useful to try and get as much information out of them as you can.
"Alright, more questions for both of you," you say. "Just some basics. First, what makes a spirit light or dark?"
At first, both of them are silent.
"...what? What's the matter?"
Then...
"SHOULDN'T YOU KNOW THAT ALREADY?"
"SUCH AN IGNORANT GIRL THINKS SHE CAN KEEP ME AT BAY? HA!"
"W-what is that supposed to mean!?" you shout, face flushed. "Anyway, just answer the question!"
The two of them then explain the matter, though you're not sure what's worse – Vaatu's open mockery or Raava's understated condescension. In any case, what makes a spirit light or dark seems to be a matter of their alignment with the two great spirits, whether inherent, chosen, or forced upon them. When you ask about that last one, however, both deflect about how they only use it on opposite aligned spirits and not on neutral ones. You absolutely don't believe them, but don't bring it up here lest they stop cooperating.
So, you then continue asking about these neutral spirits.
"Okay, so... not every spirit is light or dark, then?"
They both agree.
"What role do these unaligned spirits play in your conflict then?"
"HMPH. IF THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR THEM, THEY'LL STAY OUT OF IT."
"NONSENSE. THEY SHOULD BE RECRUITED... TO MY SIDE, OF COURSE."
"TYPICAL. SEE, THIS IS WHY YOU CAN'T TRUST HER. SAYS SHE WANTS ORDER, BUT ONLY IF SHE'S IN CHARGE."
"OH, AS IF YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE?"
"THEY CHOSE NOT TO TAKE MY SIDE. I CAN AT LEAST RESPECT THAT MUCH."
"HOW DARE YOU! DON'T THINK I'VE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE GREAT MARSH AND-"
They go on and on like this for some time for you can wrangle back their attention. The unaligned spirits are treated differently by the two sides it seems. Vaatu mostly leaves them alone while Raava actively tries to convert them, though you're not sure how much of what Vaatu says is accurate or just posturing.
"Okay, but what do the spirits get out of following you?"
Both of them shout at the same time: "POWER!" They go on about other benefits, but that's the main and obvious one. Though, you wonder... only one of them wins according to them, so presumably that power is only as good as the ability of Raava or Vaatu to back it up.
A thought then occurs to you.
"Hold on. If you're both spirits, then how can one of you actually defeat the other one? I thought spirits were eternal."
As it turns out, you're mistaken. Spirits can be destroyed – though with great difficulty, and even more so if dealing with Great Spirits. Raava and Vaatu are exceptions in that when they are destroyed, they regenerate inside their opposite over the next ten thousand years. You ponder about asking what would happen if both of them were to be destroyed, but they're already started arguing with each other about who will get the win this time and are ignoring you again. Besides, you maybe don't want to put that thought into what passes for their heads just yet...
You glance over to the spirit portal, and see that only your parents and a single water Unionist have stuck around. The others seem to be coming in and out... you yawn. How long has it been?
The two so-called Great Spirits...
"I'LL PUT YOU IN YOUR PLACE!"
"AS IF YOU COULD! I WOULD HAVE WON LAST TIME AND I WILL THIS TIME!"
...are still bickering like some of the siblings you're encountered back home. But at least those kids have the excuse of being kids!
You, your parents, the Water Unionist slip away, with you shutting the portal behind you.
.
.
.
Back in the human world, the Southern Spirit Forest has been magically restored, the Everstorm is completely gone, and bright lights are dancing in the sky. At least something good came out of this trip... and speaking of trip, the smooth conditions mean that it's much faster going back to the southern capital.
You also run into some of the frozen-over bodies of those who tried and failed to do what you all did. At least they can get proper burials now.
When you all get back, Rivris and his entourage are there to greet you and thank you for returning the southern lights and getting rid of the storm. There's a celebratory feast held in your honor even! You're not much in the mood to celebrate, however... you're still bothered by Raava and Vaatu. Why are they like this? How can you stop them?
What will happen to everyone if you don't?
.
.
.
You all depart for the Republic City on a steamboat the next evening.
That morning, you dropped by the capital's Water-bending school, mostly to blow off steam. Turns out that it's run by Sira, the daughter of Sura, one of the few Water-benders who managed to hide from the Fire Nation's raid back during the War. She's quite happy that you stopped by, though she wasn't willing to say why as there were soldiers stationed nearby. The two of you did exchange phone numbers and addresses though, and she let you wail on her students. They're good, certainly, but not on your level.
Speaking of your level, you'll need to raise it to take down the Dragon Lady.
Unfortunately, you need to do your homework, and so spend the whole trip doing that with help from Asami. But once you get back... you'll need to focus on that.
On the trip back, you also get some news.
Biyong calls you and Asami and tells you that she's make good strides with her training... and also that some light and dark spirits have moved into Tiger Ward and are fighting there, so she and Vanra need help to deal with them. It also turns out that Azula has dealt a major blow to the Order of the Golden Phoenix, leading to many arrests and the remnants scattering in a move that sounds extremely familiar to the Water Unionists when you mention it to the later. Furthermore, Tarrlok has been captured! He's under house arrest and is constantly subjected to the Anti-Spirit Radio to keep him from breaking out.
There's a lot you can do, so you decide to focus and few a few things at a time, since your match with the Dragon Lady is at the end of the month.
(Korra does three of the following, unless you choose Visit the Spirit Sage of Water in which case she only does one.) [][Event] Call someone at the Northern Water Tribe: Unalaq / Deska and Esna (write-in details)
[][Event] Call someone at the Southern Water Tribe: Rivris / Sira (write-in details)
[][Event] Go talk to Amon
[][Event] Go look for talk to Tarrlok
[][Event] Hang out with your friends!
-[][Event] Work on Spirit Radios with Asami (must be taken by end of Month 10)
-[][Event] New: Help Biyong and Vanra deal with spirits in Tiger Ward -[][Event] Go see if Yango is still around (Free Action)
[][Event] Investigate the Hunt down remnants of the Order of the Golden Phoenix with Azula
[][Event] Investigate the Spirit Sages Visit the Spirit Sage of Water with Senna
-[][Event] Invite others to come with you: (write-in)
[][Event] Continue working on Spirit Projection
[][Event] Attempt to talk to past Avatars: (who?) (write-in details)
[][Event] New: Research Raava and Vaatu (two rolls; highest goes through)
[][Event] New: Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward
[][Event] (write-in; subject to QM approval)
QM Note: You must visit at least three of the Spirit Sages and bring them to your side before Harmonic Convergence (end of Month 12).
The one downside to the AU so far is that we don't know how Avatars are made here, so we can't solve this problem by stuffing Vaatu in a human and telling them to get the fuck to work.
The one downside to the AU so far is that we don't know how Avatars are made here, so we can't solve this problem by stuffing Vaatu in a human and telling them to get the fuck to work.