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 Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:19 pm
Due to its size, the culture of the Earth Kingdom is much less defined than those of the other nations. It is generally considered that the culture is somewhat simplistic and old-fashioned in comparison with the highly developed culture of nations such as the Fire Nation. However, it is the most all-encompassing of all the nations. Economically, the Earth Kingdom specializes in trade and commerce. Its markets and ports are flourishing. Mining, due to the obvious advantages, is also a large part of the economy.
Most citizens of the Earth Kingdom are fair skinned and have hair that is either black or varied shades of brown with. Usually green or brown-eyed. Men often wear their hair in buns at the top of their head, while boys may wear it in a similar style but with much of the hair hanging down rather than pulled back. Older men may also sport beards or moustaches. Most people wear clothing in some shade of yellow, brown or green. Of course, again taking into account the massive size of the nation, looks wild vary, and it isn't uncommon to see someone the total opposite of this appearence.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:21 pm
.rulers/royalty/goverment/etc.
The Earth Kingdom is comprised of many city-states with large cities and smaller towns, townships, or villages. Each city has usually its own king (or queen, as some are even ditacted by women), but everyone is ultimately ruled by the lord at Ba-Sing-Se, who has final say on any matter involving the Earth Kingdom. There are also many small towns scattered around the land; these may have an elected individual, similar to a mayor, or they may just live in harmony (or chaos) with no ruler at all.
.military status.
Not surprisingly, being the largest nation has also given the Earth Kingdom rights to the largest military. They have both men and women, though as usual men are more common as soliders and figures of authority. Though they are large, they are not nesscarily mighty. The military has different dictators, the same as different cities around the Earth Kingdom have different rulers. Same as these rulers, every military is ultimately ruled by the lord at Ba-Sing-Se.
However, because there are so many, they're difficult for a single person to keep up with. It's not uncommon for generals or leaders of squads of soliders to disagree with other leaders from another city about... almost anything. There have even been minor battles between the Earth Kingdom citizens themselves.
In addition, they are not as 'dedicated' to their man-power as the Fire Nation. In fact, many soliders are out right lazy, unconcerned with any attack given their sheer size.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:22 pm
.important figures.
'King' Dewei: The ruler of Ba-Sing-Se, and as so, the overall ruler of the Earth Kingdom. He speaks very little outside of those of important stature such as advisors or military figures, so what is known about him is from observation and gossip alone. He is not a kind man, but he is a good king. He appears roughly in his late 40s, with the traditional Earth Kingdom appearece; black hair, brown eyes, pale skins, and dressing in tones of green.
'Queen' Yi'Zhen: The former wife of the Ba-Sing-Se king. Unlike her husband (who was an arranged marriage, not one of choice), Yi'Zhen attempted to associate with and help the people of the kingdom on a personal level. This gave her the reputation of being a kind woman. Eventually, she began pressing to form an alliance with the other nations, even the Fire Nation. Before any decisions were made final, she was assassinated. Some estimate it was the fault of the Fire Nation, while others suspect their own homeland. No one knows for sure.
'Princess' An'Chao The daughter of King Dewei and Queen Yi'Zhen. After her mothers murder, An'Chao was kept under closer wraps than ever. She remains under strict guard in her castle home, and even there, has two or more guards constantly following behind her. It is unknown if she is a kind soul like her mother or one of stubborn power like her father. King Dewei is attempting, among the chaos of every day life, to find a wife and bare a son, but has announced if he is unable to do so will allow his daughter to rule. This has led suspectators to believe she favors her fathers opinions and attitude.
'Master' Woo: Many people in the world of Avatar have pasts shadowed or completely in the dark. This man is one of them, but this case is particularly interesting, for it is odd of someone of such great importance to be such a mystery. 'Master' Woo is an amazing earthbender and has an ego to match his skill; he uses 'Master' like a first name (no one knows his true first name), and 'Woo' as a last name, making his students or anyone who addresses him do so as 'Master' no matter what. Among his students is, reportedly, Princess An'Chao, but he seems duty bound to not speak of her, so he doesn't.
'Master' Sen Wei Sen Wei is an extrodinary teacher. For a long while, she led a very strict, very private school to teach bending. What truly made her famous was teaching the Avatar. After that, Sen Wei seemed to use Avatar Kahamo as a comparison for all her other students, and when none were as good, she became extremely frustrated. At least to the publics knowledge, she has only been defeated once. Multiple militaries within the Earth Kingdom have approached her about joining, but her loyalty to her nation (or to anything but the Avatar for that matter) seems minimal at best, so all the offers have been denied. .
'Master' Rook: Rook was a nobody who became famous over night. He appeared to the public as just an average bender, though those more in 'the know' were aware of his suitor status with Sen Wei. He became a public figure after challenging and defeating the woman in battle, with the wager being her hand in marriage should he win. Though they are techniqually married, Sen Wei still seems to hate him, and Rook has admitted in secrecy to a few people he is not the father of her daughter Tu Jin.
'The Great' Sheng'Shing: With 'sheng' and 'shing' both meaning 'victory', this historical figures name literally translates to 'victory, victory'. It sounds silly, but it's appropriate. Sheng'Shing was a man who destroyed an entire army of Fire Nation soliders single-handedly. This man, however, is not real, but a figure in a popular story among children that has been around for generations. It is suspectated he is based on a real individual, but he himself never truly existed.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:34 pm
.important locations.
The Captial Ba-Sing-Se: Capital of the Earth Kingdom, it is located in the northeastern part of the nation. It is characterized by its spectacular outer wall built to withstand siege should such a time of war ever come to the city again. It's unknown just how long the walls have stood throughout history, but most citizens of the city take pride in the fact that their city has, to the knowledge of historians, never been successfully overtaken by an invading force. The city has a large import and export, and business is a central part of the lifestyle there.
The City of Omashu: A city located in a large mountain range surrounded by canyons. The city was founded hundreds or years before in honor of two lovers from warring villages, Oma and Shu. They are reported to be the first earthbenders. Omashu is well known for its complex, singular mail system that uses and extensive system of ramps and chutes to send carts and mail all over the city.
The Great Divide: The largest canyon in the world, but can be crossed in a day if led by an expert guide. It is populated mostly by large insect or arachnid-like creatures. While these canyon crawlers usually leave travelers alone, they have an excellent sense of smell and will attack if travelers are carrying food. Most who come to the canyon do so as tourists.
The Town of Glass: This small town was nameless for a time. It became an important mark on the map for two reasons; the earthbending teacher for the Avatar, Sen Wei, was born here. Also, from this town came many statues made of glass. They were carved to resemble royalty all around the Earth Kingdom. Other upper-class families began comissioning these statues as well. Interestingly enough, the creator of them, a man by the name of Cheung, was never as well known as his works themselves. He died years ago and has almost entirely been forgotten despite the hype of his creations. The statues also flooded the town with economic activity, making it more of a large market than a town. For obvious reasons, it became known as 'the town of glass'.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:39 pm
.earthbending.
Earthbending is the art of controlling the earth. Earthbenders use a very distinct low-set combination of stances and strong hand techniques, derived from the Hun Gar martial arts style, to control their element. The Earthbender's focus is to have strong, balanced technique with powerful striking force. Earthbenders can do an array of things with their abilities; they can manipulate rocks, mold the earth, and can control sand. If it has dirt involved, they can move and shape it.
Earthebenders are usually very centered when it comes to their bending. While their are always exceptions to the rule, when it comes to Earthbending most practioners could easily be characterized just as their element can be: strong, firm, and determined.
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