sozin's war ▸ [ defunct ] discussion
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▸the fire nation
the fire nation is one of the world's four nations. it is an absolute monarchy led by the fire lord and home to most firebenders. the people of the fire nation are referred to as "fire nationals".
the fire nation is the second-largest nation in terms of area, following the earth kingdom, while its economy is the most powerful in the world; its strong industrial sector and extensive technological developments not only enabled the fire nation to create an extremely powerful military, but also initiated worldwide modernization and globalization. it is also the strongest and most advanced country in the world.
▸geography
the fire nation is located on an archipelago of tropical volcanic islands called the fire islands, many of which are still active and provide the nation with an unlimited source of power. the two bigger and main islands are capital Island and shuhon island. because of a warm and humid climate, the fire nation is home to a variety of native flora and fauna, though the main islands largely consist of rough, grassy plains bearing little wildlife. few travel to the fire nation, and no invasion had ever been mounted against it.
the population of the fire nation is mostly concentrated in urban centers, though smaller settlements, villages, and towns dot the landscape as well. the capital city is on the largest island, situated inside the crater of a large volcano. there are also many industrial establishments where weapons, tanks, and warships are built to support the war effort.
▸culture
the dress code and symbols of the fire nation are modeled after fire, naturally. like the other nations, it is based on its elemental color, in this case, red. the majority of the structures are made of stone. they also have red pagoda-style roofs favored by the country. fire nation symbols are often put on important or nice buildings for decoration and inside it was common for a picture of the fire lord to be kept in a prominent, visible place.
the fire nation oath is a characteristic and important cultural element, demonstrated by its teaching to children in schools with demureness and recited thoughtfully. the oath was written at the beginning of the war and commissioned by fire lord sozin.
the fire nation's worldview upholds that only unity, centralism and strict order can ensure stability and prosperity. this does not include restricting freedom and creativity, as these aspects of personal expression are critical to societal development and harmony; however, children do not gain this freedom until they have been taught how to improve the fire nation with their actions, and the honor it brings them. these ideas are instilled from an early age.
nevertheless, this original view was corrupted during the war in order to fit the fire lords' ambitions. the idea of a peaceful, harmonious and cooperative world order was changed into an imperialist ideology that propagated global domination and striving to achieve it. children were taught that the fire nation was the greatest civilization that had ever existed, that the war was its way of sharing its greatness, along with the ideology that the fire lord and his family were great people who were helping the world.
fire nation society places a great emphasis on respect and honor, especially toward the nobility and elders; the concept of the famed agni kai stems from these beliefs. should one be honored enough to be in the presence of a member of the royal family, that person needs to prostrate themselves in respect or risk being challenged to an agni kai to avenge the disrespected royal's honor. bowing is required upon greeting to one, when something nice has happened, after business, and leaving.
the fire nation is well known for its long tradition of gender equality. there are hardly any occupational boundaries for women. they have full access to higher education and are equal before the law, thus, women can also become mayors, and magistrates, thereby occupying the highest-ranking civilian positions in most of the nation. likewise, a crown princess or female fire lord is not uncommon, and historical sagas about fire princesses just as powerful and feared are well known.
each nation of the four nations is influenced by their own distinct, dominant season. the fire nation's season is summer. firebenders' powers are slightly enhanced due to the increase in temperature. most firebending children are born during the summer.
▸military
the fire army is comprised of both firebenders and normal foot soldiers, who normally wield spears, swords, and shields. Their cavalry ride komodo rhinos. the fire nation also has units of metal tanks. these tanks are heavily armored and equipped with fire ports to allow the crew to fire projectiles, ranging from fireballs produced by firebending to giant grappling hooks.
the fire nation navy, also simply referred to as the fire navy, consists of several fleets with coal-powered ironclad cruisers as basic units. commanded by admirals, these fleets act rather autonomous, and even though the position of an overall commander does exist, he just controls the largest fleet and does not order other admirals. in addition to its sturdy properties, the fire nation's use of metallurgy to remove impurities from the metal ensures that enemy earthbenders cannot damage their ships with their powers.
besides the cruisers, the navy employs many classes with different purposes, from ferrying and disembarking troops to providing bombardment with their trebuchets to creating blockades. the navy is also highly organized and stratified, with a clear hierarchy and efficient bureaucracy. despite the enormous troop strength of the navy that employs thousands of soldiers, sailors and engineers, it is also the only known part of the military which hires mercenaries, if a sudden demand for ships will leave vessels a little short-handed on experienced crew members.
▸firebending
firebending, one of the four elemental bending arts, is the pyrokinetic ability to control fire. it is unique among the bending arts, as it is the only one in which the performer can generate the element. the first human firebenders lived in a city atop a lion turtle during the era of raava and the art later spread to the sun warriors and the fire nation. the earth kingdom also has a small firebending minority.
fire is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires. however, during the war, a militaristic fire nation twisted this into firebending being fueled by rage, hatred, and anger. firebending draws its power from the sun, and the first human firebenders derived their firebending techniques from the dragons.
firebending is known for its intense and aggressive attacking style and general lack of adequate defensive moves, although firebenders can modify offensive maneuvers to function as a defense, such as creating large walls of fire or shooting down incoming attacks with fire jabs.
