@Ithradine, @Skai - both your characters are perfect. Well done.

@Ithradine, I hope you know that one doesn't simply leave the Fire nation army and walk away. Expect some severe repercussions. ;)

@Skai, just one thing: Equalist cells haven't yet become so widespread that benders need to hide their bending. No problems in being over cautious, but Eska doesn't seem like an overcautious person.

@vancexentan - A very interesting character, but I have a couple of concerns. Firstly, I am finding it a bit incredible that a young boy is able to teach himself advanced offensive air bending techniques with just the help of scrolls and a non-bending grandfather. I mean, I can see how his grandfather's teaching may have helped him focus his mind, but from that to becoming a functioning air bender is a bit of a stretch. In the shows, for instance, we very rarely see any character master bending without a master. Even Aang struggled with water bending before he met the Northern Water tribe master. The only notable exception is Zaheer. But he was a much older man, with years of study and experience, and with particular emphasis on Guru Lahima's teachings, not to mention his Red Lotus background. So, if you can look into that part of his backstory, it would be helpful. Maybe he grudgingly became a member of the Air nation, studied for a few years, then either broke the rules somehow or had an argument with the leaders about how to run the place and then took to wandering the world? I am not sure how you would like to go about it, but I think it needs another look.

Another thing is the starting location. When RP begins, all characters start at Republic City. So you must tell me how and why Gao Xiang finds himself in Republic City.

I hope you find my feedback reasonable. ^_^

@Hushed Whispers - Cute character! But, again, a big concern. Why does Peme choose to study weapons and fighting? I mean, the current set up of the Avatarverse in this RP is not much different from our real world. Why would the child of a fairly well-off family living in the United Earth States (a fairly stable democracy) need to learn to protect herself? The world today in the RP is a far cry from the wilder times of Avatar Aang. Travel has been made easier and safer with zeppelins and other types of aircraft. No major war has occurred in the last century. The last big 'battle' was Kuvira's invasion of Republic City, and even the older people only remember it like a legend. So what I am getting at is that your character motivation needs to be stronger. Maybe Peme loves fighting, or may be she grew up in one of those border towns that are still a bit lawless. Whatever you choose, it must reflect in her character. If you can fix that, I think Peme will become awesome. ^_^

@Leah Gotcha. Can’t wait to start :)

EDIT: I tweaked her bio a bit to adjust the Equalist comment.

@Leah Gao has been travelling since he was a young teenage at the very least he could've been around the ages that team avatar started out at. At the most roughly around 15/16. That gives him roughly around 10 years of experience in the least. If he was unable to figure out airbending in ten years while intensely studying, and learning by trial, and error than Gao would be a pretty piss excuse for a fodder bender. His whole background revolves around his travels, and hardships learning from various places he's been, and adapting as he's come along. Likewise Aang was a young boy at the time of his studying of water bending, and with a master it took him less than a year to at least achieve competence with the bending arts. Once again that comes back to Gao having his life so far learning one single element.

Also I never said anything about advanced bending. He can't form wind balls, and he learned to use the glider through practice, and observing air nationals while travelling. He can't fly either. What I did say was that he was powerful he's innately a capable bender. But due to his chosen life style hasn't been able to capitalize on this. He's capable of strong bursts of wind, and controlling it deftly but he doesn't know how to mold it to his style most of his techniques are simple, and blunt he is a hammer, not a sword. He creates gusts, and gales not tornado. He's more about brutally knocking his opponents down, and hitting them with strong blasts of wind than he is dancing around, and letting them tire themselves out. Any close range combat skills he has would be limited to what hand to hand fighting he picked up when he couldn't use his bending to get out of his way, and is likely just slightly above street brawler level.

The whole jest of his character is to foil the normal air nomads/nationals who dodge gracefully, and subvert their enemies. They seek inner peace while Gao would be one just to dodge when he feels its needed smack them in the face with some high pressured wind, and then if that failed then start to try to get crafty. He's quite weaker in that sense than a normal air bender trained by the descendants of Aang. They would be able to get out of the way, and probably find some way of outmaneuvering him but in other circumstances Gao's brutal approach would overwhelm some other benders.

@Leah
I actually have a lot on my plate right now so I'll just go ahead and drop this roleplay. Thanks for the criticism and apologize for this being so sudden. :) I wish you all luck with the roleplay though.

No, I am dropping because of the criticism. Just want to clarify.

@Leah

That was actually my intention that he would constantly be looking over his shoulder. I fully expect him to run into trouble with the Fire Nation down the road.

Should we post our characters into the character tab?

@vancexentan, I see your point. And since you have a very clear idea of Gao's psyche, I think you will do this badass character justice. ^_^

@Hushed Whispers, sorry to hear that. I certainly hope I didn't chase you away with my nit picks. Take care. :)

So, Jun-He @Buzzkill, Eska @Skai, Shao @Ithradine, Gao @vancexentan - welcome to the RP ^_^ Yay! Can't wait to start.

And yes, you can all go ahead and post your characters in the Characters tab. I will shortly post my main character as well. I think that should be good enough to get the ball rolling.

Age: 47
Gender: female

Earth/Metal bender


Statuesque - that's the word one often hears when talking about Yun Song. Standing taller than most men, with an elegant bone structure and a prominent gaze, she is one of those who can draw up their height and bring it to bear in any conversation. With sheer presence alone, she has dominated numerous political maneuvering. Her eyes are a deep green and copious silver strands are beginning to show in her black hair.

But the first thing anyone ever notices upon meeting Yun Song is her metal arm. During the Transformation process that changed the authoritarian monarchical Earth nation into a union of autonomous states under a parliament, several towns revolted. There were too many skirmishes to call it a mere revolt, but none of the revolting states found a common leader to unite under, considering King Wu himself gave his blessings for the Transformation. But they went on for so long that even King Wu's successor has to still deal with them. Yun Song proved her worth first in these never-ending battles, and also lost her left arm to a Lava bender. She later used her metal bending to construct an arm for herself, one that was far more versatile than what nature had given her. She spent years training to bend with her metal arm. The arm can extend to longer than its normal length, and has a couple of nasty surprises.


Yun Song was the only daughter of a wealthy merchant couple in Zaofu. She was quite the spoiled brat growing up, and her parents would only rush to please her, no matter the outrageous nature of her childish demands. While not exactly the lap of luxury, she had had a comfortable upbringing. As soon as it was discovered that she could metal bend, she enrolled in the Beifong Academy and was a middling student.

But all that changed when her father lost the shares to his company on a stupid Probending bet. Rather than renege on a bet and save his family, her father chose to save his honour. Right up to the point when he took his own life. The board was not cruel. Mother and daughter were given a modest stipend and a house to stay in. But Yun's demands were no longer being fulfilled. She grew adamant. She wanted more from life than a simple peasant's existence. Her thirst for finer things shaped her into a competitive and fierce young woman. She wanted a life untouched by the random vagaries of existence - one where her comfort was guaranteed.

She pushed herself to excel. She knew Bending would get her to the life she desired. She worked at it like a woman possessed. She became the youngest cadet in the Earth Union's prestigious Commando unit. During the Transformation, when the Union was beginning to consolidate rebel states, she lost her arm and gained a reputation. She was decorated as a War hero and was given a choice. A generous early retirement package owing to her injury, or a desk job in the fledgling Committee for Union Security. But Yun had not had enough. She needed more. She was 30, single, and did not like the prospect of settling down in a farm somewhere.

One-armed and ambitious, Yun chose the desk job. In retrospective, it turned out to be the right move. The Committee was woefully understaffed, and anyone with half a brain could get promoted. Within a couple of years, she found herself advising the Prime Minister on security matters. She single-handedly (literally) formed the Secret Service, a group of elite Lava and Metal benders who are responsible for the Prime Minister's security. Along the way, she also built herself a metal arm, with parts intricate enough to put a Futuron satomobile to shame.

She is now, officially, the Chief of Security - a position created for her, as the bureaucrats were finding it difficult to assign her a salary. Unofficially, she is called the Enforcer. No one dare call her that to her face, of course. But everyone knows she is the Prime Minister's muscle.

As the official protector of the man who led the Earth Union, which currently happened to be the detestable Lee Beifong, it was her job to make sure nothing happened to threaten that man. Recent reports, however, were beginning to trouble her. Korra's death put all plans out of whack. The White Lotus seemed to have gone underground, with no word as to whether they have any clue about the next Avatar's location. Considering Korra was a Water bender first, it made sense that the next Avatar would have already born somewhere in the vast Earth Union. And considering the White Lotus were there when Korra died, it was quite possible they knew exactly where. She had to find them, and figure out a way to use this to the Union's benefit. Surely, having the Avatar grow up under the watchful and protective eye of the Earth Union wouldn't be a bad thing!

It was because of this little side mission of hers that she found herself in Republic City, chasing down a very important lead. She had friends in high places here, making it easier for her to run this down rather than some underling. Staying at the fashionable Four Elements hotel, she now awaits her meeting with the Chief of Police of Republic City.

Okay, so here's how I think this should work:

Apart from playing as my main character, I will, from time to time, play as random antagonists or "quest givers". I will differentiate those posts by using a different color of text. Therefore, I urge you all to type in plain white at all times.

Since Republic City is a fairly large place, I think we should consider prearranged rendezvous plots. It's fine if you don't want to, but if you think someone else's character might play well with yours, don't be shy. PM and discuss. On that note, @Buzzkill, I think we should talk on PM about your starting position. Someone like Jun-He would be ideally placed to act as an informer for the police, making our characters run into each other in the beginning.

If you ask me, @Ithradine, a less than cautious Shao might, to guarantee his safety, seek the protection of the Chief of Police of Republic City. Completely up to you, of course. It helps if all of you have a clear short term motivation to begin with. The sooner we get our characters interacting, the better the action will be. ^_^

Speaking of action, you all know your strengths and weaknesses. @Buzzkill, you are a quick learner and have an ear for valuable information. Years of using your brains against brawn has given you a strategic edge. But, as a non-bender, you have to work twice as hard to stay efficient. @vancexentan, I don't have to tell you that you are a badass. Your deep-rooted philosophy and your raw talent makes you a formidable opponent on the battlefield, indeed. But can your iron will stand the eroding effects of intrigue? Can your unrefined tactics stand up to a true master? @Ithradine, you were a rising star in the Fire nation army. You surely have the flames dancing to your tune. But you are too young to have the necessary control. Too indecisive with not just the fire but also your life. @Skai, you might well be the glue that brings us all together. You are the heart, and you can still hold your own. But in these desperate times, being a healer is only half the battle. Can you truly stand up against whatever destiny has in store for you?

You guys can choose to fight against each other should the situation arise, but you must decide over PMs who is going to win these encounters. If you have trouble deciding, I will intervene and declare a winner. These fights must play to your strengths and weaknesses. And before you can exploit an opponent's weakness, you must first learn about it in-character.

The same rules apply to me as the GM. Depending on which enemies I choose to throw at you, they may either be supremely easy or supremely difficult. And those enemies will depend upon the plot and what you, as a group, have experienced. And what I, in my characters, have experienced.

There won't be any perma-death unless you wish it. But a failed encounter can result in grievous injuries, physical or mental. Your character must deal with them.

Benders, we won't go through the minutiae of what things you can and cannot do with your bending. I trust you to stay true to your character and not go OP. When in doubt, my word will be final.

Since we are not doing a D&D style dice throw for combat, let's not belabor them for too long. If you want, you can use discord or PM to have a blow-by-blow combat sequence and post them as a single post IC. Combat involving enemies I create and you will play out completely in IC.

I hope you are all 18+, because this RP will certainly feature mature themes, including violence and sex. Definitely not anything hardcore, but all the same, be consenting adults. You don't have to fade to black, but if you enter into a one-on-one romantic encounter with a character whose blow-by-blow (pun-intended) account is not necessary for the overall plot, please take it to PMs or Discord.

I won't be able to do much woke up found out my laptop battery died ill still try to make posts if I can.

@Leah I'd like to place my interest as well. My idea is... straight-forward admittedly but perhaps something unique can come of it later? Anyway, my plan is to be an Earth Bender who literally fights matches for a living. There's a new sport approaching Pro Bending in popularity, but it's a much more dangerous sport, and on top of that it operates under... questionable legality. It's basically Fight Club, benders and non-benders alike stepping into cage matches where the only rules are that you can't bring weapons or tools in with you, otherwise you're free to fight however you damn well please until someone goes down. Lots on gambling going on on the side with this one as well, some fights possibly being rigged and - on very special occasions - some might even be to the death (those tend to be rare, though, but when they do happen it generates even more hype and controversy).

My character specifically will be a former Pro Bender who turned to this hot new sport because he simply wasn't earning enough of a living anymore on the Pro Bending circuits. His fighting style will be unique, too, focusing on an oddly western-style martial arts (Boxing, Kickboxing, etc) rather than the traditional eastern martial arts we typically see other Benders utilize. Imagine a guy who uses his bending to coat his fists in cold hard stone and then proceeds to beat his opponents faces in. That sort of thing.

@Double, that seems like an interesting idea. But just one thing - I am not sure about an illegal fighting club paying more money than Probending. Perhaps your character could be a Probending washout, or he was caught cheating and banned from Probending? I think choosing an illegal fighting gambling match 'to earn more money than from Probending', is a bit of a stretch. If you can think of some other reason for your character to take to it (maybe he was from the streets, and never really got the opportunity to try out real Probending?), I think it will be better.

No hurries, @vancexentan. You can post whenever you are ready. ^_^

Age: 23
Gender: Male

Earthbender


He's surprisingly lean, for an Earthbender. Most tend to build their muscles and become bulky, but Shu seems to have rejected that image like a bad stereotype. He has sharp facial features, or perhaps he's just angry all the time, it's hard to tell with him really. His black hair is short for the most part, save for the back where it's grown out enough to be kept in a thin, tightly tied braid. His wardrobe consists of a tight, black, long-sleeved shirt worn under a looser-fitting green and yellow blazer with its collar always popped upward. The blazer itself is green on the outside and yellow on the inside, looking like he could put it on inside-out to reverse the colors. He has brown trousers and work boots to round out the outfit. He stands reasonably tall, just over average for young man of his age, and as stated above his weight and physique are surprisingly lean, not what most people or opponents expect to find in an Earthbender.


To put it simply, Shu is a loose cannon. He's angry, opinionated, and most of the time this is made worse by a short temper. While this does make him seem like a complete thug to most people, there is in fact a kinder guy somewhere in there. He's nice enough to kids, never once letting his anger get the better of him if children are present, and he even becomes oddly protective of them when they're in any kind of danger. Some people who have worked with him before will swear up and down that Shu just seems to hate all forms of authority. Whatever job he was working, it was like giving him orders was borderline impossible without a fist fight breaking out. Whether this is because he's some kind of self-proclaimed rebel or due to other issues, no one's really sure.


Shu grew up in what could only described as an abusive home. His father, Wu Yang, started as the star of a Probending team but let his career go downhill due to alcoholism, which of course only ended up making things worse. Once he was officially kicked out of the pro circuit, he became a drunkard that was constantly in search of new jobs after being fired from a previous one due to his drinking. He pretty much always came home angry or drunk or both, often taking these frustrations out on his wife and son. Unlike his mother Lin, though, Shu became increasingly quick tempered and had more of a tendency to fight back as he got older. Eventually after getting into an actual fight with his father that nearly got one of them killed, Shu stormed out of his childhood home and never looked back.

Having his father's... talent, for Earthbending, Shu tried his hand at Probending. Sure enough he got on a team and things went rather well for a while. But the anger he inherited from his father started to rear its ugly head. He would get into arguments with the coach or the referees, eventually leading to him punching one of them out and like his father before him, Shu was banned from Probending. After this, Shu actually tried his hand at being a police officer. Perhaps on the force, he could put that frustration to good use in stopping bad guys? It went well, briefly, but when Shu started beating criminals practically to death... he was of course discharged and forced to hand over his badge.

The fact that Shu was rapidly becoming his father was not lost on him. The only difference was that Shu refused to turn to drinking. He was determined fix his problems in his own way. That was when he overheard two upper class gentlemen talking about the recent winnings they earned from something they called the "Battle Club". Shu had never heard of anything like this, but he did some digging and eventually discovered an underground fighting circuit called Battle Club. Combatants of all possible backgrounds and skillsets stepped into the cage to fight, and only one walked out as the victor. With no other place to turn to, Shu decided to become a fighter.

As a Battle Club fighter, Shu excelled. He could fight to his heart's content, beat his opponents into a bloody pulp. And not once would he be reprimanded or punished for it. In fact, it was just the opposite. He was praised and cheered for his ability to fight like a beast in the Cage. It was almost... intoxicating to be in an environment that not only enabled, but actively rewarded him for letting his anger fly on his opponents. Maybe that was why he barely noticed that - in some fights - he would start imagining his father in his opponent's place. That Shu would then fly into a rage that was barely noticeable, violently beating his opponent and even coming close to killing them, all the while looking more and more like the very man he hated so much.

@Double, very well written. Shu comes across as a modern day Zuko, complete with his complexities and his inexplicable rage. I like how you have created a believable backstory that fits in nicely with his current mental state. Shu and you will make a great addition to the RP. Welcome. ^_^

@Leah Why, thank you very much. I don't know if I implied it strongly enough, but the general idea was for the fights to essentially be Shu's "alcohol", as it were. Sure, he might not be a drunkard like his father, but it's still rather telling that he wound up with a sort of addiction of his own.

Oh and also, since I don't think I clarified it in the CS, Shu was indeed born and raised in Republic City.

When do we start?

@Skai, @Double, @Ithradine and @Buzzkill - I think we are ready to start. I will shortly put up an opening post and hopefully we can start something wonderful from there.

@vancexentan - I noticed you haven't put up your CS in the Characters tab yet. I don't want the others to wait, so I am going to begin the RP. I hope you can come back to us whenever you see fit. ^_^

Awesome, looking forward to it :D