UPDATE 16/11/09 (9:00 AM EST):
Kyatto here! Working super hard to make everything all nice and ~dazzley~ again!
First up to bat - Jury Duty! If you got notified that it's your time to fly, what are you sittin' around for? Move your tuchus! (If you have it, you need to review the canons ASAP!)
We also have some new staff amongst us! Nandireya and Kyatto join the ranks to help keep the forum running smoothly! And remember Dinky? She's now been promoted to Security!
And then there's… Zombie MONTH! which started on October 25th! Come on guys, where's the Zombie love? :( Did they already eat your brains?
The Plague looks like it's finally starting to die down! But don't think that means you still can't catch it if you're lurking around Ba Sing Se!
#LulasCouch chat night is now on Sunday. We can't handle typing and watching Glee at the same time. 8'D In place of the short lived Wednesday chat night, we now have Glee Skype Night. Every Wednesday at 8:30 PM EST. Add "eevachu" to your Skype contacts to join in.
#LulasCouch chat night is now on Sunday. We can't handle typing and watching Glee at the same time. 8'D In place of the short lived Wednesday chat night, we now have Glee Skype Night. Every Wednesday at 8:30 PM EST. Add "eevachu" to your Skype contacts to join in.
And last, but certainly not least, Braaaaaaainz... I mean, Zombie Week starts on October 25th! Thus marking the first HT "Special Event"! It's so important it gets its own forum! Why am I shouting!?
~ Eeva Out!
UPDATE 25/09/09 (10:28 PM EST):
Hola cats and kittens! If you haven't noticed yet, HT has got a bucket full of cannon characters up for adoption.
The application process is super-easy now, so if you'd like to take a metaphorical stab at some great characters like Hakoda, Haru, Pakku, and KUEI (HINT HINT ;) ... I miss my lil' nerd honey), just make a post to the cannon app board. If you have questions, just snag a mod and they can help!
Smoochies, Masu
UPDATE 08/09/09 (5:13 AM EST):
You may have noticed by the new colour coordination, but HODAMN. Hou Tian is under new management now with 76% more pugs and porn!
So yes, other than Luck and I now being your co-lords and masters, some of the staff positions have been re-organized. Nothing really big, just a bit of colour-coordinating.
Underground Ba Sing Se is now a roleplayable part of the board. Why, I have no clue. ._.;
Since we gettin' all democratic up in here, there' gonna be Hou Tian-style Jury Duty. Jury Duty "is a Canon-Approval team of regular members that will switch out per every three canons you evaluate from time to time. Members will be chosen at random depending on seniority and posts counted." The current list of reviewer is here. NOW GO READ ABOUT IT MORE.
Season: Autumn Rulers: None left. Canon Characters From or Relating to: Aang, Momo, Appa
The Air Nomads is a collective term for a nation of people who practice the discipline of Airbending. One of the series' "Four Nations," the Air Nomads were wanderers by definition, but had four Air Temples, one at each corner of the globe, hidden away atop mountain ranges in the northern Earth Kingdom and on three remote islands. The Air Nomads were home to a monastic order of men and women who practiced Airbending, the mystical art of aerokinesis.
A century before the time of the series, the Air Nomads were the victims of genocide at the hands of the Fire Nation. The sole known survivor of the massacre ironically was the very person the Fire Nation sought to kill in its quest for supremacy: the twelve-year-old Airbender and Avatar, Aang, who had run away from the Southern Air Temple shortly before the war began and became trapped in suspended animation. He has since revived and begun a quest to restore balance and peace to the warring nations.
Re: The Air Nomads « Reply #1 on Aug 6, 2008, 10:07am »
Government and Political System
Government System: Theocratic Oligarchy
Head of State & Government: 2 Councils of Monks (1 Northern & 1 Southern) & 2 Councils of Sisters (1 Eastern & 1 Western)
Religious Authority: 2 Councils of Monks (1 Northern & 1 Southern) & 2 Councils of Sisters (1 Eastern & 1 Western)
Military Contrary to the propaganda that was taught in the Fire Nation, the Air Nomads did not have an army, which coupled with the then passing Sozin's Comet is likely why they were defeated by Fire Lord Sozin when he invaded the Air Temples. Also, the Fire Nation refers to them as the Air Nation. Now that the war is over, it is highly likely that the Fire Nation is reprinting it's works and studies on the Air Nomads, in order to suit what the true tale really was.
==============
While other nations possess royalty and are run by monarchies, the Air Nomads are led by the monks of the Air Temples, i.e. by a theocracy.
The Air Nomads are the only nation comprised entirely of benders, due to the highly spiritual nature of their lives. Meditation was an important part of the Airbenders' daily routines, as it helped them to focus their energies and understand the potency of their element.
It has been mentioned that they have a good sense of humor, a fact shown when Monk Gyatso employed a unique teaching method when tutoring Aang with his Airbending skills — accurately blowing fruit pies onto other monks' heads.
The arrow on an Airbender's head signifies that he or she has mastered Airbending. This is an emulation of the natural arrows on the heads of Flying Bison, animals revered by the Air Nomads who can naturally Airbend and are believed to be the inspiration for the first Airbenders. As seen in the episode "The Storm," apprentice Airbenders have no tattoos. In order to receive the tattoos as well as the title of a master, an Airbender must pass the thirty-six levels of Airbending along with engendering a new technique. In actuality, Aang had only reached the thirty-fifth level before he left the Jongmu Temple, his invention of the Air Scooter earned him the tattoos prematurely, making him the youngest Airbending master in history.
Air Nomads are also vegetarians, as are the modern monks of Tibet.
Re: The Air Nomads « Reply #2 on Aug 6, 2008, 10:14am »
Temples
Though the Air Nomads as a race would seem to be almost totally erased from the world, remnants of their legacy still hold a place within it. The largest, most predominant, permanent features of their past are the four Air Temples. Although Airbenders are primarily a nomadic culture, there are four Air Temples in various remote locations where councils were held and novices were raised. The temples were divided by gender, with the Southern and Northern temples for males and the Eastern and Western ones for females. Air Nomads not situated to a temple had no permanent home and tranversed across the world individually or in small groups.
Sections reserved for learning, quiet meditation, and the study and practice of their element were common features of the temples. Their outer grounds also featured grassy noles for outdoor play, reflecting pools, historical murals and monuments. In each temple there is a large cylindrical room known as an Air Sanctuary locked behind a door which can only be opened via Airbending. At least one of these rooms has been shown to contain thousands of statues iterating in a spiral formation the previous incarnations of the Avatar. It is unknown if there is an Air Avatar temple or where it might be found.
==========
Southern Air Temple Located in the remote Patola mountain range (Air Nomad Territory), the Southern, Jongmu Air Temple, supposedly only accessible via flying bison, was the boyhood home of the current Avatar, Aang, and his father-like mentor, Monk Gyatso. It was raided early in the war during Fire Lord Sozin's genocide on the Air Nomads.
The temple is large and peaceful, has an Air Ball arena, and is also where the "Air Scooter" was first invented by Aang. Once inhabited by Flying Bison and Winged Lemurs in the days of the monks, it is now barren and abandoned by humans and animals alike. A statue of Monk Gyatso stands at the entrance to the temple. Unlike the other two temples, the Southern Temple's spires are blue, instead of green. Northern Air Temple High in the upper reaches of the Earth Kingdom resides the Northern Air Temple. It was home to the Flying Bison polo championships in the days when the monks lived in it. After the extermination of the monks, the temple was rediscovered by the Mechanist and his group of refugees. The Mechanist used the gliders within to give his paraplegic son Teo a new life in the air. However, he was extorted for weapons manufacture by the Fire Nation, who threatened to attack if he did not comply. He hid the machines in what was formerly the Sanctuary of the temple, unknown to the temple's other residents. Aang and the others discover the weapons cache, and convince him to revolt against the Fire nation, with the promise of protecting the temple from attack.
The Northern Temple was modified by the Mechanist to house more people than before, and many of the original structures were destroyed or expanded to help accommodate the new residents. The temple also underwent many technological "upgrades", as the Mechanist added new inventions to help make the lives of the residents easier. The new changes anger Aang at first, who sees it as a violation of the temple's original sanctity, but in the end he decides that the refugees are like the hermit crabs that inhabit the temple's corridors, and is happy that they have found this empty shell and made it their home, and helps to defend them against the Fire Nation.
Eastern Air Temple Along with the Western Air Temple, it exclusively housed female Airbenders and was home to Sister Iio. This temple was destroyed by the Fire Nation. When Aang, the current Avatar, was to be separated from his mentor, Monk Gyatso, the elders of the Southern Air Temple had decided to send Aang to the Eastern Air Temple to complete his training without Gyatso's fatherly influence. However, before they could do this, Aang overheard their plans and ran away.
As seen in the episode "Appa's Lost Days", the Eastern Air Temple was where Aang chose Appa as a Sky Bison partner and is probably where Appa was born. In the present day, Guru Pathik has waited there for a few years awaiting the Avatar's advent, because he saw a vision of himself helping the Avatar in his future. Interestingly, the Guru wore clothes of the same color as those of the Airbenders, and claimed to have important information for Aang. In the episode "The Earth King," the letter addressed to Aang from the Guru states that he can teach Aang how to control the Avatar state.
Unlike the Northern and Southern Air temples, the Eastern Air temple is housed on three mountains.
Western Air Temple Along with the Eastern Air Temple, it exclusively housed female Airbenders. This temple is located in the mountains north of the Fire Nation. It is unique in that, unlike the other temples, it was built underneath the edge of a cliff instead of atop a mountain. The spires seem as though they were built upside-down, and because of that, the temple is hidden to the passerby. Its design allows wind to flow into even the deepest chambers, which made the Air Nomads feel quite at home. Aang and his friends headed to the Western Air Temple for a safe place to stay after the unsuccessful invasion. It was there that Zuko began his search for the Avatar following his banishment. Ironically, after following the remnants of the invasion force there, Zuko decided to join Aang, pledging to teach him Firebending. Although its interior has not been shown, Teo also mentions seeing a hall of statues. The temple features some interesting recreational spots, such as a giant Pai Sho table, an all-day echo chamber, and an air bison obstacle course and racetrack.
Another interesting feature is a series of metal doors used as shields that are found within the fountain area.
Re: The Air Nomads « Reply #3 on Aug 6, 2008, 10:19am »
Natives & Animals
The Air Nomads wear yellow, orange, and brown clothing. Aang and other young Airbenders wear orange shawls over long-sleeved yellow shirts, an orange belt, yellow pants with brown on the back, and long boots that reach the knees. Older monks wear long robes in shades of yellow and orange. Most Air Nomads have gray or brown eyes and a light complexion.
Young boys to be trained as monks have shaven heads, while monk elders grow beards and mustaches. Female Airbenders do not fully shave their heads. It has been shown that when not shaven, Air Nomads have dark brown hair. Airbenders who have attained a level of mastery in the art will be marked with arrow tattoos, based on the arrows of the Sky Bison, the first Airbenders. For male Airbenders, a primary arrow tattoo is placed on their shaven head that extends down their back, along with four others, one on each limb that terminates in an arrowhead at the hands or feet. According to the series creators, these arrows mark the paths through which chi travels through the body. Because of this when an Avatar tattooed in this fashion enters the Avatar State, these tattoos are known to glow along with the Avatar's eyes and mouth. Although if the body has received an injury deeper then the tattoo then that spot will not glow in the state, it is not known if re-tattooing the area (once the injury has healed) would enable it to glow again.
Flying Bison Air Temples are inhabited by exotic fauna, one species of which is the six-legged, three-toed, five-stomached, beaver-tailed, Flying Bison, giant domesticated flying beasts ridden by Airbenders. According to a behind-the-scenes interview with the show's creators, they are a hybrid between a bison and a manatee. These creatures have brown eyes, shaggy, light grey fur and a brown stripe that runs along their back, from tail-tip to forehead, where it terminates in an arrowhead. In "The Great Divide", Aang reveals that Appa has five stomachs. These creatures are the main source of transportation for Air Nomads.
All Flying Bison can use Airbending to fly with their feet and defend themselves with their large tail. As shown in "Appa's Lost Days", they are able to use their mouths and possibly their noses to Airbend. A fully-grown Flying Bison can easily weigh ten tons. They are revered by the Air Nomads, whose tattoos deliberately emulate their arrow-shaped markings, for inspiring the Airbending art, similarly to how Badgermoles inspired Earthbending. It was customary for young air nomads to choose an air bison to be their lifelong companion. Aang chose Appa at the Eastern Air Temple, when he was a baby calf, by giving him an apple.
To direct a Flying Bison to take flight, Aang uses the command "Yip-yip." To summon one from a far location, one may use a Flying Bison whistle. Though fairly docile, these creatures can be fearsome when aroused to fight. The most notable and possibly last surviving Flying Bison is Appa, Aang's pet and major means of long-distance transportation.
Winged Lemurs The Winged Lemur species is also native to the Air Temple mountain ranges. Like the Flying Bison, Winged Lemurs are a hybrid species, being a cross between a lemur and a spotted bat. Sporting giant, bat-like ears and wing-like patagia on their arms, Winged Lemurs can glide and flap their winged arms to fly. It is unknown, however, whether they can actually Airbend in the traditional sense. Momo is the most notable (and possibly last) of this species in the series.
Re: The Air Nomads « Reply #4 on Aug 6, 2008, 10:22am »
Air Bending
Information by wikipedia.com
Known as: Aerokinesis Sorce of Power: Wind Fighting Style: Ba Gua
Specifics Airbending is based on the Ba Gua style of martial arts with a small hint of Hsing Yi, also known as "mind heart boxing." These martial arts feature swift, evasive maneuvers that evoke the intangibility and explosive power of wind, drawing energy from the center of the abdomen. Ba Gua, which utilizes circle walking, is known for its constantly circular movement which makes it difficult for opponents to attack directly. Manuevers employ the entire body with smooth coiling and uncoiling movements utilzing dynamic footwork, open-hand techniques, and throws. Unlike other bending disciplines, airbending lacks fatal finishing moves, being an almost entirely defensive art.
By using circular, evasive movements, Airbenders build up massive inertia; this buildup of energy is released with massive power. It also allows for wind-based counterattacks that knock them off-balance, mimicking the sudden directional shifts of air currents. Attacks vary from simple gusts of wind to miniature tornadoes and cyclones. A common defensive tactic is to circle enemies, suddenly changing direction when attacked and deflecting as needed by throwing up gusts of air as a shield. Airbenders enhance their movement in battle, and can run swiftly by decreasing wind resistance, jump high and far by conjuring gusts of wind, cushion falls by creating cushions of air, and even sprint along vertical surfaces. Master Airbenders can create vortexes to entrap and disorient opponents, as well as massively destructive whirlwinds. Avatar Level Airbenders can create massive tornadoes and hurricanes at will. Unlike other nations, who only rarely use weapons with their bending, airbenders commonly use their staffs to augment their powers in battle. Metal fans can also be used in combination with airbending.
Airbending is the most passive of the four arts, as many of its techniques center around evading and eluding the opponent and is the opposing bending art to Earthbending. While the Airbenders avoid or deflect oncoming attacks, Earthbenders absorb them, or overwhelm them with superior force.
Like all of the bending arts, Airbending is balanced out as to not be more or less powerful than the other arts. The series has repeatedly illustrated that it's the skill and prowess of the user that determines victory.
=====
The Glider Aang possesses a small glider that can fold into a more portable staff. These staffs/gliders are hand-carved and crafted by airbender monks. In glider form, Aang can use it in conjunction with Bending to hover and even fly as long as he has the strength to Airbend. As a normal staff, it can be used as a weapon in battle, to aid in Bending, and even as a levitation aid when spun above the head, like a helicopter propeller.
The Air Scooter The Air Scooter, a form of ground transportation invented by Aang himself, is a spherical "ball" of air that one can ride. In a flashback in the episode, The Storm, Aang tries to teach this move to his Airbending friends. They all fail, at first, but eventually they master the art and develop a game that requires the air scooter to play. Aang says one must balance on it like a top. He has used the technique in many episodes, usually to overcome vertical surfaces, including The Drill in order to run up the wall of Ba Sing Se. The Air Scooter is also shown to be capable of levitating in the air. The Air Scooter first appeared in "The Avatar Returns", where Aang uses it to escape Zuko's ship.
========
Spirituality and Airbending Young Airbenders are raised in one of the four Air Temples, at each corner of the globe, hidden away atop mountain ranges on remote islands. The Northern and Southern Air Temples are exclusively male, and staffed by Airbender monks, who instruct young Benders in their art. According to reports from Comic Con 2005, the Eastern and Western Air Temples are exclusively female. However in "The Storm", it was decided that Aang would finish his training at the Eastern Air Temple, and it was at the same temple where he, along with several other young boys, was first introduced to his animal companion, Appa.
Airbenders who have mastered the element are marked as such by blue tattoos striping along the head and limbs, terminating in an arrow on the forehead, backs of the hands, and the tops of the feet. Male monks sport completely shaven heads, and female Airbenders shave their foreheads, but leave the back of their hair uncut. A female Airbender can be seen in the episode, "The Avatar State," Book Two, Chapter One. In "Appa's Lost Days", through a flashback, an Airbender nun, Sister Iio, is shown to be in charge of the Female Airbenders of the Eastern Air Temple.
Though this ritual is probably not exclusive to Air Nomadic culture, when the Avatar reincarnation is to be an Air Nomad, the Air Monks test Airbender children to see if they are the reincarnation of the Avatar by asking them to select toys out of thousands. If the child selects the toys used in previous incarnations, the Avatar has been found. Traditionally, knowledge of his or her identity as Avatar is kept from the child until age sixteen. (This same test is used by Tibetan Buddhist monks when a reincarnated Dalai Lama is expected.(See Dalai Lama)
Air Nomads generally espouse a philosophy of conflict avoidance and respect for all forms of life. (comparable to the Jain/Buddhist/Hindu concept of Ahimsa [citation needed]) This accounts for Airbending's stress on defensive maneuvers and its apparent lack of fatal finishing attacks. Due to the spirituality of the Air Nomads in accordance to the size of its population, every Air Nomad retains bending abilities. The Air Nomads have the smallest population but the most increased spirituality while benders in general make up only a small percentage of the larger, more populous nations.
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