Path towards Harmony [AU Legend of Korra Quest]

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
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).
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
Girlfriend!

[X][Event] Hang out with your friends!
-[X][Event] Work on Spirit Radios with Asami (must be taken by end of Month 10)

[X][Event] Investigate the Spirit Sages Visit the Spirit Sage of Water with Senna
-[X][Event] Invite others to come with you: Asami
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Character Sheet

Korra
You. The Avatar, master of the four elements, bringer of balance, etc, etc. You live on Spirit Portal Island with your dad Tonraq, your mom Senna, a bunch of White Lotus guards and ex-Equalists, and a lot of spirits.
Skills:
  • Water-bending [Superior]
    • Healing and "Spirit-bending"
    • Senna is at [Skilled], and knows Healing
    • Tonraq is at [Superior]
  • Fire-bending [Superior]
    • Lightning Generation (Progress: 3.5/5)
  • Earth-bending [Superior]
    • Metal Manipulation (Progress: 1.5/5)
  • Air-bending [Superior]
    • Spirit Projection (20 min outside water / 1 hour underwater)
  • Martial Arts [Superior]
  • Gardening
  • Avatar State (Restored!)
Bonuses
  • History of Republic City and Phoenix City I - +5 to investigations of Republic City / Phoenix City history
  • Self-study w/ Asami - +10 to rolls involving Asami in any capacity
  • Urban Gardening - +5 to all rolls involving the Equalists
  • International Relations I - +5 to investigations of other countries in general
Memberships
  • Avatar
  • Experimental Station
  • Dragon Flats School for Young Ladies
  • Urban Gardening Club

Korra's Family
Senna: Your mom.

Tonraq: Your dad.

Unalaq: Your uncle.

Desna and Eska: Your two cousins.

Korra's Friends
Asami Sato: Your best friend; you met her at the Experimental Station. Used to go to school with you.

Biyong Kuem: Your friend from school.
-Guardian Spirit

Vanra: Your friend from school.

Yango: An old friend from your childhood.

The Four Flames and their Family
The Four Flames: Highly skilled Fire-benders from Phoenix City.
-The Komodo Rhino (Zemo)
-The Speed Hawk (Naijo)
-The Tiger-dillo (Lee)
-The Dragon Lady (Yoko)

Rika: Cousin to the Four Flames.

Zumaq: Rika's brother.

Azula: The grandmother of the Four Flames, Rika, and Zumaq. More famous for other things.

Azula's children: Differing politics led three of them to flee to the Southern Earth Republic while Rika's mom stayed behind with Azula.
-[Rika's unnamed mother]
-Shen-Yasu
-Ziryu
-Shorazo

Spirits
Raava and Vaatu: The twin spirits of Order and Chaos.
-Light Oni: A violent spirit associated with Raava.
-Black Cat: A brooding spirit associated with Vaatu.
-[unnamed northern dark spirits]
-[unnamed southern light spirits]

The Four Spirit Sages: One for each element.
-Albatross: Associated with the Water Sage.
-Tree-Tortoise: The Spirit Sage of Water
-Golden Bird: The Spirit Sage of Air
-Mountain Spirit: The Spirit Sage of Earth
-Phoenix-Dragon: The Spirit Sage of Fire (currently possessed by Chaos)

Dragon-eel spirit: A powerful spirit who watches over Spirit Portal Island.

Guardian: A powerful spirit that now associates with Biyong.

Other Groups
Ex-Equalists
White Lotus
Experimental Station
Militia
Community Police
Order of the Golden Phoenix
-supporters in Phoenix City
Air Temple Monks
People's Council and Province's Council
Water Unionists
Pirates
Water Tribe Navy

Other Individuals
Yasuko Sato: Asami's mom.
Hiroshi Sato: Asami's deceased dad, assassinated by what is now the OGP.

Wonyong Kuem: Biyong's deceased dad.

Amon: A highly spiritual blood-bender hermit.

Tarrlok: A dead man, assassinated by what is now the OGP, who came back for revenge... and maybe something else?
-Yami/Heiai/Yega: three named victims of Tarrlok's revenge murders
-Tirin: Son of Yami and Heiai, now working with the Community Police to take down the OGP.

Lin Beifong: Sheriff of Republic City.

Rivris: Works for Unalaq, has seized control of the Southern Water Tribe.

Kya: Former Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, and Katara's daughter.

Totola: An ex-Equalist, and adviser to the Urban Gardening Club.

Sira: Runs the Water-bending school in the Southern Water Tribe capital.

Haiko: Girl formerly allied with the OGP. Currently sulking and avoiding Korra after ??? occurred and Korra saved her life. Now friends with Korra.
 
Last edited:

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[x][Event] Investigate the Spirit Sages Visit the Spirit Sage of Water with Senna
-[x][Event] Invite others to come with you: (Asami)

Korra and the Spirit World (Month 10 part 12)

You decide that the most important thing to do for the moment is to visit the Spirit Sage of Water. You were personally invited to his realm, after all. The Sages have some connection with Avatar Wan and with Raava and Vaatu. Talking to the Sages might lead to you making a breakthrough in dealing with those so-called Great Spirits.

So, after your training sessions with Rika, you head down to the Phoenix City coastline and look for that albatross spirit. After a few days of looking, he ends up finding you, perching on your head again when you took a brief moment to sit on one of the many benches to snack on some fish-filled rice balls.

"Hmph! Looking for me, perhaps?" he asks

"Yep!" you declare. "About that personal audience... I'd like to bring two people with me."

"My Master only has things to say to you specifically. However, I suppose there's no issues with you bringing company along when visiting his realm..."

"What does he want to talk to me about anyway?"

The albatross looks down at you. "What do you think?"

"...Raava and Vaatu."

"Precisely. Those two are a menace! They must be stopped before they can go on another rampage!"

He hops off your head and takes to the air.

"Now then, are you ready to go?"

"Not yet. Give me a few more days... we'll be ready by the weekend."

"Then, I shall come find you later. Farewell!"

He then flies off. First, you head over to RCU Dragon Flats to see about Asami. When you get there, you head straight to the library to search for her... but she's not there. There are a few buildings that also hold the school's laboratories, so you head for those next. After about a half-hour of searching, you find her tinkering with an Anti-Spirit radio along with some members of the Experimental Station and a few other students. Turns out those researchers also have appointments at the school...

Anyway, you ask her if she's willing to join you, and she of course says yes.

You briefly consider also asking Biyong and Vanra, but you know that they'll be busy dealing with the Light and Dark spirits that are causing problems in Tiger Ward. You feel like you should help them with that – you are the Avatar after all – but when you ask, they insist that you should focus on dealing with the bigger problems (and also your training). Well, you could always ask someone else to help them instead... but who?

(Korra may ask someone to help Vanra and Biyong in their stead. Who? Choosing to send someone results in rolling 2d100, with the highest roll going through. Not sending anyone gives Vanra and Biyong +20 before die are rolled.)
[][Tiger Ward] Rika
[][Tiger Ward] Amon
[][Tiger Ward] Your dad
[][Tiger Ward] Dragon-eel Spirit
[][Tiger Ward] No one

After you've made your decision and acted on it, you head home for the day and let your mom and dad know what the plan is. Your mom will be joining you as well, but your dad will be staying on this side on the divide, continuing to work with the Water Unionists on... something. He doesn't quite want to tell you, and you're not inclined to push hm on the matter. You just hope that it ends better than his last plan...

A few days later, the school week ends and it's time for you to visit the Spirit Sage of Water. Unsurprisingly, the Albatross is waiting for you as you exit the Dragon Flats School for Young Ladies after you spent some time in the Urban Gardening Club. You're accompanied this time by Vanra and Totola, the club's adviser. She notices the bird first.

"You might you be, spirit?" she asks.

"I am an Albatross, and I am here for the Avatar!" he declares.

You notice that she immediately narrows her eyes and gets in a defensive stance, so you interject and say that you were expecting the spirit before she can make any wrong assumptions.

"Oh. Then don't mind me. I'll see you next week," she says before departing, giving you a look in particular. Looks like she wants to talk about something. Vanra gives you a hug and waves goodbye before going off her own way, and then you and the Albatross go to get Asami before heading home. When the three of you get there, your mom has your things ready to go and you can all head to the Artificial Spirit Portal.

The Artificial Spirit Portal itself was contained within a massive and hollow banyan grove tree, once that had become fused with the electrical apparatus used to charge it with the energy needed to force open the pathway. You remember hearing that the Southern Earth Republic had tried to do the same thing some years ago, but something went wrong and the result was the Spirit Wastes instead. Here, instead of a wasteland, the surrounding forest is thick and teeming with life and spirits. The banyan grove tree is in the center of the forest, tucked away inside a small clearing that can be reached via one of several overgrown paths. You can see the green pillar of light all the way from your house, and the raw energy you feel coming off of it gets more and more intense as you approach the tree.

Normally, the Dragon-eel spirit would be nearby, but it seems he's elsewhere on the island today.

The four of you step into the tree and enter the Spirit World...

...and enter into what can be more properly called a wasteland. You all step out into a small clearing littered with pillars of ice and metal, each of them charged with electrical energy. In fact, you get a little shock as you enter, stinging you. You grimace, but shrug it off. In the distance, tall mountains and raging thunderstorms litter the landscape, placed haphazardly as if painted onto the scene.

The albatross hops off your head and grows and grows until he's big enough to carry the three of you, and then you all take to the skies. As it turns out, you all ended up on a large island, and as soon as you all leave, you can see that the storm is entirely localized to that island. The albatross says that the island itself was there before the pathway was forced open, and that most of the local spirits either left for the human world or fled for elsewhere in the spirit world. But at this point, the damage probably can't be undone...

Some time later, you're all back on the ground, and this time you're in a swamp. The albatross returns to his normal size and begins leading you along to the realm of his Master, a realm of Water. But, before you can get there...

"Well, well, look who we have here..."

...you're suddenly surrounded by a group of dark spirits! Most of them are humanoid, but one is a familiar black cat. He tells them to wait and they obey. He steps forward.

"Avatar Korra, what might you be doing here?" he asks.

"None of your business."

"Oh? But matters involving Vaatu are my business... after all, you're not planning on releasing him at all, are you? That's why you're spending time with prey like that Albatross."

The Albatross looks grossly offended, but says nothing just yet.

"...you're right," you admit. "I'm keeping them locked up."

The cat's sharp teeth glimmer in the light. "Then, I suppose I have no choice to get rid of you."

His dark spirits then immediately go on the attack!

(The dark spirits have a significant advantage, though you will eventually be able to prevail. Choose one of the following outcomes of the fight.)
[][Spirit World] Korra is injured while in the Avatar State, preventing her from using it for a while.
[][Spirit World] Asami gets overwhelmed and ends up with both of her arms and one leg broken.
[][Spirit World] Senna is briefly possessed by a dark spirit, disconnecting her from her bending.
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
Getting Dad to get along with our friends?

[X][Tiger Ward] Your dad

hmm all of the consiquences are tough here. But given Aang managing without the avatar state for at least s short time I'm inclinde towards that.

[X][Spirit World] Korra is injured while in the Avatar State, preventing her from using it for a while.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Tiger Ward] Your dad
[X][Spirit World] Korra is injured while in the Avatar State, preventing her from using it for a while.

Korra, the Black Cat, and the Spirit Sage of Water (Month 10, part 13)

The black cat hangs back and retreats as his fellow dark spirits close in, hands transformed into large claws.

You briefly wish you could bend plants before immediately breathing fire at one directly in front of you, sweeping two at your sides away with the surrounding water, and then forming an air scooter to chase down the ringleader.

"Korra! Wait!"

"Asami, stay close to me!"

"But..."

"Korra can handle herself!"

You briefly glance back at Asami and your mom, and see that the two of them are on the defensive, surrounded by a few enemies. Asami has on her electro-gauntlets (more like gloves, really) while your mom has a swirl of water at the ready.

You trust them to handle themselves.

"Korra! What are you doing!? My Master is..."

"I know! But I have to take this guy down!" you shout back at the Albatross. "Besides, shouldn't you stay with my mom and Asami? I can find my way around."

"Hmph! More water spirits are on the way. They'll be fine soon. Keeping you safe is my priority."

"Okay. Then-!"

You cut yourself off and backflip off your air scooter as a black claw goes through the space where your head would have been. The albatross swings up and then dive bombs at another one of the dark spirits. You quickly glance around and see that there's about six of them surrounding you... and the black cat is still nowhere to be seen.

No matter.

You step down hard into the soft soil and shove, creating a wave of mud in front of you that bowls half of them over. The other three come in close, so you make twin fire swords extend from your hands and breathe out to give yourself space. They attack in unison, trading spaces to press their numerical advantage, keeping you on the backfoot. You have to spin around and make a wall of air to repel them.

"Hahaha... poor little Korra..."

It's getting dark all of a sudden. This must be that black cat's doing!

"Come out and face me!

"We don't need an Avatar anymore..."

You flame swords let you keep things lit around you, but soon, it won't be enough...

"No! You're wrong!"

"So, it's time to say goodbye...!"

You reject the strange cat's words, and go into the Avatar State!

"I'll show you just what I can do!"

The glow of your eyes and body briefly permeates the dark, and then your combination of fire and air to make an explosion drives it away entirely. It's at that exact moment that the Black Cat chooses to strike, having grown into a massive two-tailed beast. By the time you see it, it's leapt down from the trees, claws out coated with a noxious miasma and far too close...!

In the moments before the glistening claws would have gutted you, you're able to swing back and counter with your fire-breath.

"AAAAAGH!"

"Guh!?"

Unfortunately, the cat is still able to slice through you! While it misses with its body, the attack slices through your shadow too, so you still feel the pain of getting cleaved in half. It's enough to knock you out of the Avatar State instantly, and you sink to the ground, writhing in pain just the same.

Darkness is permeating through you...

...and the world is getting dim...

.

.

.

"Uuuuugh..."

"Korra! Senna, come here, she's up!"

"Aaaaahhh..."

Your entire body still hurts as you open your eyes. Asami is standing by you, and it looks like you're still in a swamp, though a different part of it and you're now leaning against a tree. A pleasant aroma wafts through the air... it's your mom coming by with some kind of herbal tea. She pours you a cup, and Asami lifts your head so you can drink it.

"Mmmmm... mmm!"

In an instant, you have more energy, despite the drink tasting like ordinary water. You sit up, and that's when you realize that you're not actually sleeping on the ground. Asami and your mom are on the ground, and you're on the back of something?

"Ah good, you're awake..."

You lean forward and see a tortoise's face.

It glances up at you.

"It is nice to finally meet you, Avatar Korra. I am the Spirit Sage of Water. My apologies."

"Oh no, it's not your fault..."

The tortoise then interrupts you. "No, it is. I should have predicted this and sent more than just the Albatross to assist you. Both dark and light spirits have become bolder in attacking our spirits on this side of the divide as well. I wished to know what you were planning on doing about this state of affairs."

"Well..."

You then tell the Sage about your dealings with the Light Oni and the Black Cat, the issues with light and dark spirits in Republic City, your encounters with Raava and Vaatu, and your decision to keep them sealed up. The tortoise nods along and agrees with your plan, acknowledging that the Sages helped Wan put the two bickering Great Spirits away in the first place and will be needed to put them back when they inevitably try to break out. The tortoise then tells you to go talk to the other three sages – the Golden Bird, the Mountain Spirit, and the Phoenix-Dragon – as well.

"You will also need to repair your connection to the Avatar Sprit before then."

"Repair?"

You then try to go into the Avatar State... nothing.

"Oh..."

"It will return with time and effort. For now, please continue to rest."

"But I..."

You then notice Asami's pleading look and your mom's concern, and decide not to argue the matter. A few hours later, you're well enough to go and the Tree-Tortoise gives you a mark on your left hand indicating that he's blessed you. He also gives you an interesting bit of information – your uncle has also come by to visit the Sage, complaining about Vaatu and also wanting a solution for this problem.

Huh. What could his plan be?

(Korra needs to rest and prepare for her match, so she only gets one action, which automatically gets locked in as working on Spirit Radios with Asami. Is there anything you'd like Biyong or Vanra to do for Korra? They each get a d100 for said action, if chosen.)
[][Biyong] No, keep doing your own thing.
[][Biyong] Yes
-[][Biyong] Research Raava and Vaatu
-[][Biyong] Research a Spirit Sage: (which?)
-[][Biyong] Keep an eye on light and dark spirits
-[][Biyong] Visit the Air Temple
-[][Biyong] (write-in)

[][Vanra] No, keep doing your own thing.
[][Vanra] Yes
-[][Vanra] Research Raava and Vaatu
-[][Vanra] Research a Spirit Sage: (which?)
-[][Vanra] Keep an eye on light and dark spirits
-[][Vanra] Visit the Water Unionists
-[][Vanra] (write-in)



QM Note: Next two updates will be the match with the Dragon Lady, then News and Rumors, then a new month.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Biyong] Yes
-[X][Biyong] Research a Spirit Sage: (Golden Bird)
[X][Vanra] Yes
-[X][Vanra] Research a Spirit Sage: (Mountain Spirit)

Korra vs The Dragon Lady! Part 1 (Month 10, part 14)

You woke up on the day of your match with the Dragon Lady slowly and deliberately. You're still excited, of course, but a new emotion comes with it – nervousness. You've had to recover from your time in the Spirit World, which put a damper on your training. You sigh, and hope that it'll be enough to see you through as you grab breakfast.

Much to your surprise, your dada is already awake and cooking breakfast.

"Morning, Korra!"

"Morning..."

"Good luck with your match today!"

You yawn while stretching. "Thanks..."

A thought then occurs to you. "Are you not coming?"

He shakes his head. "Sorry, no. Water Unionist business."

"Ah, right."

You learned about it in your International Relations class recently. Your uncle did something (you don't quite remember the details) and declared himself absolute ruler over the Water Tribes. The Water Unionists have, in their republican character, opposed this trend towards absolutism. Meanwhile, you're pretty sure your dad just wants to get in one over his brother and take him down a peg, even if he does also support republicanism.

"Will Vanra be there too?" you ask. You haven't seen her in a while, despite her volunteering to help you out. Biyong managed to get some information in the Golden Bird though, including where it might reside in the Spirit World, so the two of you plan to track it down next month.

"Yep!"

He then turns to you.

"Something the matter?"

"No! What? Why would you think that?"

"You're a terrible liar, you know."

"Yeah, well, whose fault is that?" you ask, trying to deflect with a joke.

While he chuckles at that line, it doesn't work, and he just asks you again if something's the matter. At this point, your mom stumbles in and immediately walks over to you, also asking if you're fine.

You storm out instead of answering.

Of course, you're fine! Everything is fine! You're going to win and that's that! Ugh... you go for a swim to clear your head, but it ends up doing nothing. At least your body gets to relax a bit...

When you get out, your mom is there waiting for you.

"Dear..."

"What!? I..."

Before you can say anything else, she wraps you up in a hug. "We both believe in you."

"...Thanks..."

.

.

.

By the time you and your mom actually get to the arena, your moods recovered and you're almost vibrating with excitement. This is it. Your final match against the Four Flames! Asami, Rika, and Biyong are there waiting for you and wish you good luck as you enter the arena, Biyong also giving you good luck on behalf of Vanra.

The Dragon Lady is the shortest of the Four Flames but has the most intense presence. You can feel the heat surging around her, even from the other side of the arena. You try to match it with your own and that gets a smirk out of her.

"Glad you made it! I heard about your recent incident... looks like you've recovered."

"Of course!" you bluff. "I'm not gonna let a little thing like that stop me."

And you punctuate that statement with a burst of fire breath, drawing out applause from the crowd.

The Dragon Lady laughs heartily, and then joins you.

Of the four of them, she's the most skilled and versatile bender, able to use the styles of the other three and seamlessly switch between them. She also knows the Fox's Wedding Dance that Rika taught you, is a fear-inducing master of lightning generation and direction, and can even call upon the might blue flames... though it doesn't seem that she can do that last one consistently just yet. To be honest, you're not sure that you can beat her – but you'll do your best!

Who knows... maybe this time, you'll pull it off!

The announcer declares the match on and promptly vacates the arena. Good for him, because both of you immediately go on the attack, turning your flame breath against each other. But once it's clear that it's going nowhere, you drop it, and dive in, summoning a sword of flames in your hands. Your opponent, however, has responded by dual wielding, and is able to easily keep your clumsy swordplay at bay.

You grumble, abandoning that, and circle around and kick out flames at the Dragon Lady that she easily jumps over. You follow up with more blasts of fire that she slips around, trying to get up close...

"Come now, where's that roaring fire you showed my comparisons?"

...you swap into a defensive stance, expecting flames you'll need to deflect, and almost get electrocuted for your trouble, barely dodging a point black blast of lighting and making space with a wall of flames.

Of course! While weaving her way between your attacks, she was building up charge...

You frown. That's no good.

Rooting yourself, you shove the wall of flames at the Dragon Lady and then follow behind, ready to strike.

"Ah!?"

She surprises you by blasting her way through the wall, souped up with lightning. You're stuck up close with her, trading and evading bursts of flame while try to escape getting hit with lightning.

"Gah!!!"

You fail, and get blasted away, rolling towards the edge of the arena... but not falling out just yet. Slowly, you pick yourself up, and see that the Dragon Lady has rooted herself, clearly prepared for your strike. Lightning crackles around her hands while heat surges around her.

This is...

...what are you supposed to do against this!? Is this... can you even...

[] What are you doing here? You can't win. Just walk out the ring.
[X] Stop. Take a deep breath. You can do this.


You stop yourself, and breathe deeply, feeling your chi flow freely.

You slowly walk over to the Dragon Lady.

You break out into a run.

Flames surround you as you spin.

You see her counter-attack coming and you're just barely able to skirt by the lightning blast. The burst of your flames shoves the two of you apart again, and when you glance at the Dragon Lady's face you see genuine surprise.

It then turns into excitement.

That makes two of you now.

(The stage is reset. How should Korra continue? May combine votes.)
[] Believe in Rika's training and switch to Fox's Wedding Dance.
[] Keep observing the Dragon Lady to figure out her lightning.
[] Seize the offensive initiative to break up your opponent's flow.
[] (write-in)



QM Note: Next update ends the match. It will have an optional vote due to being posted on Christmas.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X] Believe in Rika's training and switch to Fox's Wedding Dance.

Korra vs The Dragon Lady! Part 2 (Month 10, part 15)

You rise, flames in your hands. She rises, flames in her hands.

You take another deep breath. Okay. You'll switch over to Fox's Wedding Dance. You're comfortable enough with it to use it in a battle now. Those soft and flowing movements... they'll allow you to take control of your opponent's flames and turn them against her, and better control the flow of the battle.

At least, that's the hope.

But first, you need to keep her from generating lightning that could break up your flow.

Thankfully, the Dragon Lady obliges by blasting out fireballs from her hands, and you counter with your own. The fireballs burst in the center of the arena like a display of fireworks, and the crowd cheers and applauds you both. You smirk. If they want a show, you can give them something even better than that!

You stop firing back with fireballs, and begin to weave between them.

No! More than that! You sweep out your arms and take control of several of the flaming balls, swing around, and send them back at the Dragon Lady! Unsurprisingly, she leaps up to dodge them, and you breathe out flames at her. She counters back with her own... but while you can sink into the ground, she can't push back against the air.

Unfortunately for you, she realizes what you're up to just before you can push her out of the ring's airspace. She drops her flame breath and ducks down. When you sweep your flame breath to follow her, she sweeps its leading edge around to cut through the middle, and you call off your attack.

For a moment, both of you are still while the crowd is roaring even louder.

You then get into a stance halfway between offense and defense, similar to what you'd use if you were Water-bending instead... and you're surprised that the Dragon Lady does the same thing.

"Fox's Wedding Dance, huh?"

You nod.

"Not my preference, but Rika loves it."

She chuckles.

"Show me what you can do, Avatar Korra!"

She kicks out circles of flames at you. Taking a deep breath, you spin and cancel out one with a kick of your own, and swings the others around you to make a ring of flames. You slowly walk towards the Dragon Lady while blasting out attacks from your stored fire, forcing her on the defensive. She ducks and evades them all by the time you've run out, but now you're in the center of the ring while she's still near the edge.

Doesn't mean you're in the clear though.

You feel something crackle in the air and barely side-step yet another burst of lightning. Disoriented, by the time you get up, the Dragon Lady is back in your face, dual wielding flame swords again. However...

"Huh!?"

...you're learned your lesson from last time. You rip out the flames from her hands and turn them into a lash that she's forced to dodge. You then leap in, abandoning form, and just going for straight punches and kicks. She trades blows with you for a bit, but once it's clear that you can hit harder then her, she backs up and blasts lightning directly in front of you, keeping you at bay.

Breathing heavily, you get back into a form from the Fox's Wedding Dance.

The Dragon Lady, however, gets into a more aggressive stance, and then starts shooting flames at you again. You swing around most of them, and take hold of the rest combining them into a larger and larger ball of flame... if everyone wants a show, you'll give them a show! Here's something they won't forget!

When the Dragon Lady sees what you're doing, she stops sending flames your way and instead charging up more lightning. Alright then. You send more flames into your great fireball yourself. Once it's bigger than two of you standing on end, you launch it at her...

...and the Dragon Lady responds with the biggest burst of lightning you've ever seen...

...and the word explodes in a burst of light and heat...

.

.

.

"Mmmmm..."

"Hey, she's waking up!"

"Lady Korra! Lady Korra!"

...Asami and Biyong... wait, but they're not allowed in the ring...

"Ughhh..."

You slowly open your eyes and look around. Looks like you were taken backstage to that lounge area. You're resting on the couch. Oh, and Vanra is here now too, along with Rika and the Dragon Lady. The Dragon Lady is, however, mask-less now, and she looks so much like a young Azula, down to her piercing golden eyes, that it's kind of uncanny. You also note that she's standing around while you're like this, and a sinking feeling emerges in your gut.

"Hey, don't look like that!" she says. "It was tie."

...

"...A tie? How?"

A faint blush emerges on her face. "Uhhhh... we may have gone a bit overboard with that last attack, hehehe... the explosion blew us both out of the ring. I woke up first, but it didn't matter."

Your mom and dad then walk in, along with the other members of the Four Flames.

"Dear! You're up!"

Your mom then runs up to you and gives you a big hug.

"Mom!"

"You did great, dear!"

"...Thanks..."

The group hangs out, waiting for you to finish recovering. As it turns out, despite you not actually beating her, the Dragon Lady – whose real name is Yoko – is still willing to train you in lightning generation anytime you wish, and tells you to seek her out later. She then teases Rika over the fact that you didn't actually beat her, and Rika swears that she'll get you up to a level where you can take down Yoko no problem. Frankly, if you weren't exhausted by that fight, you'd be down to get training right now... but that can come later.

Vanra and your dad also tell you about what happened with them and the Water Unionists. During the protest at the embassy of the Northern Water Tribe, several representatives from both the People's Council and Province's Council came by and denounced Unalaq's tendency towards absolutism and his takeover of the South. They demanded that he reverse course as soon as possible, and of course, the diplomats rejected them. When the representatives pushed, the diplomats did not bend, and in the end, a state of war was declared.

In this way, the Harmonic Republic was now a player in the struggle within the Water Tribe.

You want to help... but you're still dealing with Raava and Vaatu.

But then again, maybe those two spirits and the sages are connected with your uncle somehow.

Only one way to find out.

(Optional vote: In addition to News and Rumors, I'd like to write an extra sidestory from several PoVs. Choose one element.)
[] Air
[] Earth
[] Fire
[] Water


QM Note: Next week will be News and Rumors.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
News and Rumors (Month 10 Sidestory)

A Light in the Darkness! – Near the end of the month, Avatar Korra restored the Southern Lights and the Spirit Forest at the South Pole, as well as dispelled the Everstorm that was preventing people from accessing the interior of the Southern Ice Sheet. When asked, Korra was unusually unwilling to share details of what exactly she did, stating that it was 'Avatar business'. Rivris and Unalaq similarly did not share details, but were quite grateful for what the Avatar had done.

Strife at the South Pole! – On the other hand, the continued trend of absolutism on Unalaq's part has finally led to a reprisal on the part of the citizens of the Southern Water Tribe. Members of the Water Unionists and the Anti-Spirit Leagues, as well as members of other groups and various unaffiliated individuals, led a demonstration in the southern capital that turned into a riot and then a revolt, aided by many southern soldiers and northern defectors. The capital is now in control of an oppositional United Front, while the ocean remains in control of the Water Tribe Navy. That said, the declaration of war by the Harmonic Republic on the Water Tribe means that naval support in on the way, though it remains to be seen how the relatively untested Harmonic Navy handles warfare against a skilled opponent.

A New Factor!? – As if the Southern Earth Republic's civil war could not get more complicated, a new faction has emerged. Defectors from the Red Lotus have joined up with peasant leaders to form a so-called "Green Lotus" and have made successful pushes against the armed forces of Tu Zin in the east where they're based. However, they are cut off from all support from the western rebels by Tu Zin itself, and the Northern Earth Republic army that would otherwise be willing to aid them is busy fighting elsewhere.

Terror from Tu Zin! – As for Tu Zin, the government has made three decisive plays. First, Shozaro, one of Azula's sons and the former Chief Executive of the Southern Earth Republic, has stepped down and has been replaced with a native Earth-bender, though Shorazo apparently remains a prominent figure. Second, they have signed a peace treaty with the autonomous Si Wong provinces, and have pulled out all their troops from the vast desert... though the borders remain fortified. Third, they have directed their armies to march on Gaoling to the west and the "Green Lotus" to the east, while having the army remnants north of the desert continue to hold down their northern enemies and having the navy continue to support the pro-SER puppet government. It's clear from this that while they're willing to give up on some ambitions, the desire for domination has not been vanquished.

The Strong Spirits of Omashu! – Omashu, meanwhile, has dealt with no military threats. Instead, a faction of the Red Lotus, led by Zaheer himself, snuck in and attempted to assassinate not just the King, but many of his supporters. In a stunning turn of events, the attempt to cripple the monarchist movement by and large failed due to aid from friendly spirits. Indeed, according to reports, Zaheer was outright defeated by the combined efforts of "New King Bumi", as he's sometimes called, and a mountain spirit. However, Zaheer's body was not found, so it isn't clear if the terrorist was slain or not. His companions were either all captured or killed, even if they did manage to take out their target. Many who would otherwise oppose the new king are now at least willing to consider siding with him, including many workers' associations within Omashu.

Burned-down Phoenix...!? – A major scandal has broken out in Phoenix City due to the investigative efforts of Azula, many ex-Equalists, and local journalists and detectives. The extent of the Order of the Golden Phoenix conspiracy reached further than anyone could have expected at first, and multiple members of the Phoenix City Council and Phoenix City Community Police were implicated by the new information. The delegates on the council were immediately recalled and new elections were held for their replacements. In the meantime, several members of the OGP managed to escape the wave of arrests and fled to the countryside, where Azula and several ex-Equalists are now working with the locals to track them down. But it seems that the Order is now on its way out... at least, it's hoped that this is the case!

Light and Dark Clashes! – Despite the orders from Avatar Korra, light and dark spirits continue to bring their fighting into Republic City. This time, the damage was done in Tiger Ward. The Avatar herself was not available to render aid, having gone to the Spirit World instead. While it is not clear what the goal of her trip was, it is clear that her father and two of her friends rendered aid in her stead, and the combined efforts of them and the locals was enough to drive the hostile spirits back out of the ward. That said, the continued attacks have led to the worrying formation of small "Anti-Spirit Leagues" within Republic City, though they remain limited in impact and influence.

Flight from the Flames! – According to Flames of Liberty, an anarchist newspaper formerly based in the Fire Nation that has since relocated to Yu Dao, there has been a mass exodus of various socialists from the Fire Nation to the west coast of the Harmonic Republic. The reason? An uncovered plot to kill Fire Lord Izumi! While there is no evidence linking any particular organization to the plot, it's been clear by the actions of the police and reports from the popular press who is being blamed. That said, some nominally socialist organizations are now aligning themselves in favor of the purge, and the movement has been split apart. It seems likely, based on denunciations of the purges issued by Gaoling and the "Green Lotus", that the Fire Nation will only aid Omashu in the civil war, if it aids anyone at all.

Autonomy Denied! – Attempts by the Foggy Swamp tribe and the Triple Island Alliance to regain their autonomy have been stymied recently. The border dispute between Omashu and Goaling over who had control over the area was resolved by Katara of the Southern Water Tribe and Toph Beifong with both territories retracting their claims... only for the Water Tribe Navy to move in, claiming dominion over all Water Tribes, sparking new tensions. Similarly, the liberationist movement of the Triple Island Alliance, now headed by Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, was running into issues taking down the puppet government now that the Water Tribe Navy had pulled support. Efforts by former Fire Lord Zuko to negotiate a peace had also been forcefully rejected. Recently, a militant splinter group of the Air Nomads, headed by a young woman named Yango, had arrived to the scene to join the fighting. The Air Nomads in general were split between the many conflicts, rendering aid to those in need, while Tenzin was allegedly in the Spirit World, seeking wisdom and guidance...

QM Note: Main update will not be next week, but the week after. Extra side-stories will drop during the week over the next two weeks.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
~Air and Earth~ (Month 10 -> Month 11 Sidestory)

Air Temple Island

The autumn air was light and chill beneath cloudy skies. The sea breeze flowed across the island, spinning paper fans and sounding wind-chimes. One of the many monks paused from sweeping the leaves from the courtyard to look up and watch a cloud drift by.

He considered it briefly, before returning to his light work. It may rain later. But he was certainly not the only one who would notice, so the rain catchers would be out soon. Even without true Air-bending, he had observed the sky enough to recognize the signs of changing weather.

He used to wonder why he had not been chosen back on that day to gain Air-bending powers.

Now, he no longer worried about it. Tenzin had seen fit to take the bulk of the new Air-benders away to recreate the old lifestyle. That wasn't for him. The mild lifestyle of maintaining the old grounds was better suited for him. Thankfully, the strife in Republic City and Phoenix City had yet to affect any of them. Some had chosen to assist – and good for them, he thought – but he was not among them.

Just as well. What was he supposed to do against conspiracies and evil spirits? Better to leave that to more energetic people like the Avatar and those ex-Equalists!

He chuckled lightly to himself, heard the sound of a ready teapot, and returned to the Temple, beckoned by several other monks.

Triple Island Alliance

"You ought to be thanking me for coming here to help you!"

"Thank you!? We didn't ask for your help!"

"Well, you sure could use it!"

"Why, you...!?"

Someone coughed loudly, and the person cut themselves off.

The person who was about to yell was in typical Air Nomad robes, as were several others surrounding them, muttering to each other. The other person in the argument was wearing a casual mostly-green outfit, and so were many of their companions. Notably, while most of the 30 or so Air Nomads had Air-bender tattoos, only one member of the six-person-strong green-clad group did.

The person who coughed was an old man from the Water-Tribe, clad in a warrior's outfit from the South, who was sitting at a round-table alongside the two arguers.

"Sokka, I understand that we need all the help we can get," said the Air Nomad woman. "However, I must insist that someone like Yango who rejects basic Air Nomad principles is not someone that we can work with personally." Several of the other Air Nomads murmured their agreement.

"I understand that you don't like me, but that has nothing to do with what we're here to accomplish. We're all in agreement that Tu Zin's puppet government needs to go. You can help in your way and we'll help in ours," retorted Yango. Her group all agreed with her quite boldly and loudly. "We won't cause you any problems."

"You're the problem here..." muttered the Air Nomad. Yango frowned and narrowed her eyes.

Sokka glanced between the two and spoke up. "I don't expect you all to suddenly become best friends. However, we need to be able to work together so that we can win this war. That said, Yango and her squad will be on the frontlines while you Air Nomads will continue to provide support from the back."

The Air Nomad nodded. "That sounds fine by me."

Yango nodded as well. "Great! Glad to help, Sokka!"

"Good to have you. That'll be all, everyone."

The Air Nomads then proceeded to file out of the room, several of them giving Yango's group annoyed looks. But Yango either didn't see them or didn't care, as she immediately went over to her group and started chatting with them. Sokka noticed that of the six, Yango and three others were originally from the Earth Continent, one was a Fire Islander, and the last was of the Water Tribe. He briefly wondered how they met, before putting the matter off and calling her back over before she could walk off.

"Here's something else you should know. We have reports of a company of Tu Zin's Air-benders heading over to support their allies. They'll likely be here in a few days."

Yango and the others were shocked.

"Huh!? How could an Air-bender possibly support Tu Zin!?" asked one of her group.

"Right..." said Yango. "We split because we didn't want to follow Tenzin anymore, but we still do Air Nomad things. That's something else entirely!"

"Some of the other splinter groups became common bandits. We think it's one of those groups." Sokka sighed. "I'm astounded they can even use their abilities given that... but then, Zaheer exists. Regardless, can I count on you to take them down?" asked Sokka. "They could become a real problem."

Yango's group saluted Sokka, and agreed to the mission.

"You can count on us!" she declared.

Zaofu

The first thing that anyone who visits Zaofu comments on is its design.

The city itself is totally planned by Suyin Beifong and her City Council, and the one thing that's never changed over the years is the massive metal flower petals surrounding the city. They were meant to be used as a line of defense, forming an impenetrable shield in case of bandit attacks, but they're now simply a massive art installation, the largest in the world, with carvings that grow more and more intricate as Suyin continues to fiddle with them.

Kuvira, riding in on an ostrich-horse, can't help but smile at it. It's her home alright. No matter how much time she spends in Republic City, she always looks forward to returning. She greets the guards as she enters, leaves her trusty steed in a nearby stable, and boards one of the many train lines to get where she needs to go.

True, she could have simply sent Suyin and the others a letter... but it had been a while since she'd last seen them. And now that she was going to fight in a volunteer brigade alongside the forces from Gaoling, she had no idea when she would see them next. Could be months, could be years... could be never.

But she won't let that last one come true.

When she arrived at the Beifong estate, it was just as modernist and shiny as she remembered. Unsurprisingly, most of the family was out and about since they had work to do, and normally she would have just come back later that night. But there was one person there to greet her... not someone she had been expecting or was looking forward to see.

"...Opal?"

"...Hey, Kuvira."

Kuvira had decided to simply wear her warrior's outfit, and had gotten comments and support from the people she met along the way. So, she might have expected Opal to be wearing her Air Nomad robes, as the girl had been granted latent Air-bending when that odd portal was opened and join them a few years later when her abilities finally manifested. Instead, she was wearing a typical Zaofu civilian outfit, full of greens and grays, adored by all-metal jewelry. She also didn't have Air-bender tattoos.

"Did you quit the Air Nomads?" Kuvira asked, keeping her distance. "I thought they didn't let you."

Opal shook her head. "They don't make people stay. The other monks were disappointed, of course, but they understood and let me go."

Kuvira nodded. "Ah yes... that suits them, I suppose. Well, if no one else is here, then I'll..."

"W-wait, Kuvira, hold on!"

"...Hm?"

Opal fidgeted a bit before continuing. "I... I want to go with you to Gaoling!"

Kuvira frowned. "Really? You think I want to be anywhere near you?"

Opal flinched. "Err... well... with all that's been happening in the world... I didn't think it would happen, but my thoughts turned to you. I figured you'd go off and join the fighting. So..."

Kuvira raised an eyebrow. "So...?"

Opal sighed deeply, and the breeze picked up around her. "...IwantedtoapologizeforallthethingsIsaidtoyoubackthenandhelpyouout."

"...sorry, didn't quite catch that."

Kuvira smirked as Opal pouted and blurted out her apology. In truth, she had things she should apologize for too... and did so, even agreeing to take Opal along, much to the other woman's pleasure. Well, she'd need approval first, but getting that would be easy.

Surprisingly, she found the idea of having Opal around not as intolerable as she would have even a few years ago. Looks like spending so much time in Republic City with Lin and Toph (before Toph ran off to who-knows-where) was good for her after all.

Opal then invited Kuvira in, and the two women recounted the years they'd spent apart that now would allow them to actually become close.

Eastern Earth Continent

The autumn air was light and chill beneath cloudy skies. The sun was starting to set, but the green-robed man worried not. His destination – one of the many small towns in the area – awaited him just ahead.

He was not travelling on the known roads, as those were patrolled by accursed Tu Zin's soldiers. No, he wandered far from those ways, keeping all out of their sight. Just as well – if they caught him, he would certainly be killed. Unfortunately, this area lacked dense tree cover or mountains to hide in, so he simply had to move as swiftly as he could.

He stepped lightly upon the earth, trusting it to take care of him as he wished to take care of it.

He had been rewarded so far with an easy trip, and came around to the side of the village without getting noticed by hostile men. Instead, the village guard waved him in. After all, he had been expected. They have him directions to the village chief's meeting-house, and upon entering he found it to be full of activity and chatter – which ceased when he entered the room as they all turned to greet him warmly.

And he also noticed one thing immediately – a small poster, left out on a table.

It was titled simply: "An Invitation to Form Local Councils".

He, as a member of the Green Lotus, knew at once that he was in the right place, and happily told them all they needed to know about the new movement for liberation.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
~Fire and Water~ (Month 10 -> Month 11 Sidestory)

Yu Dao

The sea breeze blows lightly into Yu Dao as the days grow colder and winter approaches. Since the completion of the revolution many years ago, the city had finally known peace and had become a prosperous city where those of Earth and those of Fire could now truly be equal. And recently, more of those who were dedicated to social equality had turned up – socialist refugees from the Fire Nation.

Lee, a local man who himself had roots stretching back to Fire Island peasants, could understand quite well why they chose to come here. Staying in the Fire Islands was risky, and Phoenix City was now in turmoil. Some of the most militant among them had gone down to Gaoling or to the Triple Island Alliance to aid in those rebellions, but the bulk were not of that stripe and so remained here.

It seemed to Lee that, despite their best efforts, their attempts at a peaceful revolution had ended in failure, and they ought to go back and fight these purges... and then the government and the bosses.

Yet when he asked one of the newcomers – a woman named Ino, who was a journalist – about that, she entirely rejected his premise, as did several others. As far as they were concerned, this was a temporary inconvenience. Through their agitation, the commoners of the Fire Islands were able to exert themselves more and more, pushing back against elite rule. What did it matter then, if they specifically were not present? The movement would continue on without them.

And besides, it's not as if the islands were entirely out of reach. Their words could still go through.

They could still keep the flames of liberty lit, no matter how far from home they were.

Northern Territories of the Harmonic Republic

"It's getting dark out. We should set up camp soon."

Someone sighed. "Must we? How far can be possibly be from our destination?"

"Probably another day's walk or so..."

The same person who complained groaned out loud, only to be shushed by the six people surrounding them. They – members of the Order of the Golden Phoenix – had fled from Phoenix City under the cover of darkness a few days ago. It had become clear to the seven of them that their names would be among those unveiled during public investigation and that they'd lose what little they'd manage to keep during the revolution.

You might think that this retreat would signify that they had given up. That they had conceded the point to the socialists – that the old relations would not be returned.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Many years ago, they had been political allies with the now disgraced northern lords... or rather ex-lords, given that all the survivors of their rebellion held no land. But they and their children had not given up on a restoration of their old glory, so if their forces could just link up...! Something could be done to help out both of their causes.

It had to be the case, otherwise they were wandering in the wilderness for nothing.

At least the abundant trees, grown back over the decades, would provide cover for them as they hid.

That was the plan, anyway. Until they heard a commotion nearby – Ostrich-horses on the march!

All at once, they regathered their belongings and fled into the night, followed swiftly by local peasants and their ex-Equalist allies.

Outside the Capital of the Southern Water Tribe

As the night fell, Sira steeled herself for what was to come. She and her students had been preparing for this moment for the past month, and Korra's visit – and subsequent revealing that the students still had a lot of room to grow as benders – had only accelerated their efforts. And now, the time had come for action!

She pulled out a pair of binoculars and looked down from her vantage point at a Northern Water Tribe outpost. They had been constructed by the northern soldiers well before the capital was lost, and had proved indispensable since then. It was coated with a layer of ice on the outside, allowing the benders in the army to use it for defense. Meanwhile, the inside was mostly imported materials like metal and wood – and thus not usable to captive parties...

...such as, for example, Kya, who had recently been confirmed by an inside man to be held at this particular location. It was lightly-guarded, with only ten or so men on duty, despite the political importance of the woman held inside. Perhaps they figured that with the capital lost, no one would bother trying to rescue this one person and so resources were better spent trying to re-take the city.

Well, they would be proven quite wrong!

She, clad in a wolf warrior's outfit, at once commanded the ice to melt and form a water whip, and to knock out several of the guards. Only one fell for the surprise attack, but that was enough. They were panicked, and so reacted poorly when her students followed up and went on the attack, drawing the soldiers into a battle.

She then walked into the now undefended building, and greeted a surprised Kya.

"Sira? What are you doing here?" she asked as Sira untied her from tight ropes, having brought a bit of ice in with here.

"Kya... why wouldn't I be here? You're my friend, remember? Now come on, let's get you home! We're all waiting for you."

"But..."

"No buts! I know you went along with this peacefully so that things wouldn't get worse... well, they got worse anyway. No point in you staying here."

Kya sighed. "I suppose you're right..."

Sira chuckled. "Of course, I am! Now come on, my students need back up!"

"Your students...!?"

"Hurry up, Kya!"

"...heh. Still the same old Sira."

Kya followed Sira out of the outpost, just in time to turn the tide in the student's favor and let them escape.

Republic City

The Water Unionists had many meeting places in Republic City, as befitting their growth from the small core that persisted at the Mo Ce Coast to an organization that encompassed the majority of the Water Tribe members of the city and even had reach in the North and the South. As the night fell in Republic City one evening, one of the Unionists' working groups was having a meeting that none of them had honestly wanted to have.

See, there was a bit of problem caused by recent goings-on.

This was not referring to the major one, of course. The Water Tribe Civil War caused by Unalaq's overreach was something that this small group could not possibly hope to solve and was not attempting to solve. But the problem that Unalaq posed didn't stop other minor problems from also existing.

Such as, for example, the problem that this group wanted to solve: the place where Glacier Spirits Festival would be held this year... if it was held at all.

Normally, it would be held in the Southern capital, as a part of Unalaq's attempts to rebuild spiritual traditions there. However, that turned out to just be part of an effort for him to simply take power. The fact that the festival itself was now mostly just a bit of family-friendly fun was irrelevant; there would still be some bitterness around the event, even if the war concluded in the next month. It was more likely that the capital itself would still be a warzone by the time of the solstice, and so holding it there would not be appropriate.

So then... have it in Republic City or not have it at all?

After hours of debate there was no consensus, but the time to make preparations was looming closer and closer... they would need to make a firm decision, and soon.

But which one?
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Korra and International Relations (Month 11, part 1)

You, Korra, yawn as you walked down the halls of the Dragon Flats School for Young Ladies one autumn day. Despite all the chaos in the wider world, Republic City was more peaceful than it had ever been. The Order of the Golden Phoenix – a group of former Agni Kai Triad members who wanted to restore their control over Phoenix City – had been routed in a major blow to their operations. The light and dark spirits – which had been rampaging across Republic City for months – were now keeping to their agreement and staying out of the city. The mood across the city was also generally supportive of the Harmonic Republic's involvement in the Water Tribe Civil War and the Southern Earth Republic Civil War, and the opposition remained calm in their firm pacifism.

Things were calm to the point of being boring, especially since this year's season of Agni Kai duels was over. Not that this was a bad thing though... it meant you had more time to focus on dealing with Raava and Vaatu and contacting the rest of the Spirit Sages.

But for now, school.

You entered the classroom for International Relations to find that the chairs were arranged in a circle. Looks like you all will be having another group discussion...

A few minutes later, the whole class of roughly fourteen students had arrived and the teacher – an old woman who was one of the first attendees of public schools in Republic City – introduced the topic for today's discussion. Unsurprisingly, it was how the Harmonic Republic should deal with the civil strife going on elsewhere in the world.

Most of the class groaned.

"This again? It's all over the news!" complained one student.

"Yeah, do we really need to talk about it here?" asked another. "My parents argue constantly about it..."

"Now, now, girls, while it may be uncomfortable to discuss, it is important for us to do so," countered the teacher. "You are all planning, in your own ways, to improve the relations between countries, are you not?"

All of you nod. She had addressed the question to everyone but was looking mostly at you when she had asked it. As the Avatar, maintaining balance in the world – whatever that means – is primarily your responsibility... or so the White Lotus and others say. But even so, that doesn't mean that there's no role for ordinary people like the girls in this class, almost all of whom are your juniors.

"Then, we must be able to determine what improving those relations means... which means discussion."

A few students grumbled, but everyone was more willing to go along with it now.

The teacher then laid out the two ongoing scenarios... not that she needed to, since everyone knew what was happening, but to properly set-up the discussion.

Not long after the Harmonic Republic was formed after the collapse of the United Republic of Nations, the Earth Kingdom had collapsed and split into many smaller states. The Northern half was dominated by Ba Sing Se, and the Southern half was dominated by Tu Zin. However, while the new republican and populist government in Ba Sing Se was willing to distribute power outside its walls, Tu Zin was not. This state of affairs between Tu Zin and the rest of the Southern Earth Republic had contributed to major centers like Omashu and Gaoling attempting to secede in the past few months after sensing that Tu Zin had overstretched its military capacity and thus could not stop them from doing so. Omashu was attempting to re-form a kingdom while Gaoling was attempting to become a socialist republic.

Meanwhile, Unalaq, your uncle who now styles himself the King of the Water Tribes, had slowly been exerting more and more control over the Southern Water Tribe over the past decade. Recently, he had even made the move to replace the Southern Chief with a puppet of his own choosing while also sending in the Navy to prevent any resistance to this move. Predictably, this did not work and now the Southern Capital is in the hands of a mixed group of rebels, with word that the Southern Chief had been rescued and returned to her home.

"So, then, the question posed is as follows: what should the Harmonic Republic do about this state of affairs?" asks the teacher.

"Well, hasn't that already been decided?" asks one student. "We're already intervening in both conflicts. Plenty of volunteers heading south to help Gaoling, and the Navy is getting ready to fight up North."

"That's true. But... should we be? And if so, how?"

The class went silent for a bit after that, thinking the matter over.

You speak up first, naturally.

(What does Korra think of this?)
[][Intervention] The Harmonic Republic's involvement is good.
-[][Intervention] (may write-in details)
[][Intervention] The Harmonic Republic's involvement is bad.
-[][Intervention] (may write-in details)
[][Intervention] (write-in a more complex answer)


From there, everyone else is willing to speak.

To your surprise – though maybe it shouldn't have been – it turns out that most of the class is in favor of the interventions. The volunteer nature of the country's military and the specific causes that are being aided come up often. Only two students have major opposition, and for different reasons. One is hardline pacifist, and the other insists that we shouldn't bother helping in conflicts if it's not clear that the side we're helping could win on their own.

Someone also asks what you think of this as the Avatar, and after taking a moment to think it over, you answer like so:

(What does Korra think of her role?)
[][Avatar] The Avatar should be active in conflicts like this.
-[][Avatar] Particularly, they should be a leader in making change.
-[][Avatar] That said, they should only act when there's a clear need.
[][Avatar] The Avatar should be passive in conflicts like this.
-[][Avatar] That said, if the time comes, they should move decisively.
-[][Avatar] In fact, they should be distant and removed from things.
[][Avatar] The Avatar should be flexible, and judge based on context


And the discussion from that answer takes up the rest of class.

.

.

.

When the school day ends, you go and talk to Biyong just before she goes off to practice. She and many other student musicians are preparing for the school festival in two weeks... which presents a problem. After all, she insists on leading you to where the Golden Bird resides in the Spirit World.

She smiles at you warmly though when you bring that issue up. "Worry not, Lady Korra, I am more than able to both assist you and be ready for the School Festival!"

"Well, if you're sure... see you this weekend?"

"Yes! Farewell for now!"

She then darts away, a skip in her step, and you leave plotting out what you'll be doing until then with your free time.

(Korra does three of the following.)
[][Event] Research...
-[][Event] Raava and Vaatu (two rolls; highest goes through)
-[][Event] Mountain Spirit
-[][Event] Phoenix-Dragon
[][Event] Go talk to... (may write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
-[][Event] ...Amon
-[][Event] ...Tarrlok
-[][Event] ...Lin Beifong
-[][Event] ...past Avatars
-[][Event] ...Air Monks
-[][Event] ...Totola
[][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 0/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 0/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Investigate he "Anti-Spirit Leagues" with the ex-Equalists
[][Event] Assist the Water Unionists
[][Event] Call someone at the Northern Water Tribe: Unalaq / Deska and Esna (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Call someone at the Southern Water Tribe: Rivris / Sira (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Hang out with your friends! (specify who)
[][Event] Actually attend the Urban Gardening Club for once (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Continue working on Spirit Projection
[][Event] (write-in; subject to QM approval)



QM Note: And we're back!
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
[X][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 0/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 0/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Actually attend the Urban Gardening Club for once (counts as ½ an Action)
[X][Event] Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward (counts as ½ an Action)


I'd like to fit hanging with Asami or Biyong in but I'd like to do all of these more.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Intervention] The Harmonic Republic's involvement is good.
-[X][Intervention] (Nations acting more
like people and less like wasp-ant nests is a good thing, the almost sociopathic behavior of many nations in history is dangerous. So helping people who ask for help is almost always a good thing. Speaking personally however it is complicated, Unalaq is my Uncle, and a person I respect, who helped me. I don't want to fight him, or see him hurt, both for personal reasons, and because his expertise may be critical to ongoing issues. At the same time my Dad is on the other side of this fight, and I love him, and to be brutally honest I don't think Uncle would make a good king. His expertise is spirits, less so humans.)
[X][Avatar] The Avatar should be active in conflicts like this.
-[X][Avatar] That said, they should only act when there's a clear need.
-[X][Avatar] The Avatar doesn't actually have a defined legal role in ... anywhere. Technically speaking I, or any avatar, could just randomly decide to go farm cow-pigs in the middle of nowhere for the rest of our lives and we'd be well within our rights to do so, or race Satomobiles, or bum around on a beach somewhere. Some of us have. The avatar, and the people around them, decide what the Avatar is responsible for. Ultimately the Avatar has a choice, and they have to keep making that choice, every day, for their entire life, every life, and it's never going to be enough for everyone because the Avatar is only ever one person at a time. I'm trying to finish school, learn more bending, and deal with this light/dark spirit nonsense. I don't know if I should be spending more time elsewhere, but today that's my choice.
[X][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 0/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 0/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Actually attend the Urban Gardening Club for once (counts as ½ an Action)
[X][Event] Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward (counts as ½ an Action)

Korra, Gardening, and Training (Month 11, part 2)

After thinking about it for a moment, you turn around and head back inside the school building. You last visited the Urban Gardening Club over a week ago, which was a long time for a club that meets every day. After exiting from the back entrance, you see that several club members are out and about in what's left of the garden. The flowers have (mostly) retreated and the leaves have (mostly) fallen, but there are still some plants that need active maintenance.

Besides, it's also a nice and quiet spot to be, which is why you find five girls and Totola having tea and idly chatting. They're sitting out on a blanket, and all look quite cozy in their fuzzy coats. One of the girls notices you, drawing the attention of the rest of them in your direction.

"Well, look who it is!" she says. "The Avatar has deemed us worthy of her presence~!"

"Oh, come on, Shero! It's not like that!"

"Oh?" she asks, smirking at you as you walk over to them. "Then what is it like?"

"Well, I figured, since I am part of the club and all..."

Shero and the rest of the girls chuckle at that while Totola rolls her eyes and tells them to settle down.

"Now, now, Korra is right. She's a gardener the same as you, and she was doing quite well for herself..."

"Ha!" you interject.

"...before she started skipping so often."

You deflate and Shero smirks at you.

"That said... she is the Avatar and thus has her responsibilities. As lovely as the school garden is, that duty is her priority."

You smirk at Shero while she pouts at the two of you.

"Now girls, if you don't mind, I would like to talk to Korra one on one."

She gets up with grace and motions to you, and the two of you go for a stroll in the gardens. There's some evergreens and a few flowering plants remaining, and she leads you in that direction. You briefly notice that the rest of the girls are following the two of you instead taking tea, but you ignore them as Totola doesn't seem to be paying them any mind.

"...sorry for skipping so much," you say."

She waves your concern off. "I meant what I said. You're the Avatar and you need to handle your business. Though I must admit, I am curious as to what your business is..."

You then explain the deal with Raava, Vaatu, and the Spirit Sages to her, as well as the issues with your uncle. Her expression varies from confusion to panic to anger to concern and all sorts of others as you go on and she asks you questions about it.

"...I see."

"Yeah, so it's not like I've been gone because I want to be. I like this club! And so does Vanra."

"Oh, my dear, that was never in question... at least not for me."

She then ponders something. "I was going to ask if you perhaps wanted to help us track down the remnants of the Order of the Golden Phoenix, but it looks like your hands are full at the moment."

"Yeah... I really want to help! But there's a lot going on. Maybe if they're still causing problems by the time I'm done..."

"...I'd certainly hope we adults could settle things by then! Oh, but you're an adult now too I suppose. Oh, how the time flies by... in any case, we have a few members still in the city, not just me. Is there anything we can help you with?"

Hmmm... you think the matter over for a moment and decide that...

(This action gets the +5 Urban Gardening bonus)
[][Equalists] "You could help me do some research." (write-in for what)
[][Equalists] "Can you go and talk to this person for me?" (write-in who)
[][Equalists] "I think I could use some more training..." (write-in what kind)
[][Equalists] "Actually, you should keep doing what you're doing."


"Certainly! And do let me know if you need anything," is Totola's reply.

You smile brightly at her. "Thanks! I wish I could help out more here though."

She smiles back. "Well, the spring will come and with it the flowers. There will be plenty to do~! Now then, shall we return?"

"Yep!"

"Uhm... hold on!"

Naturally, Shero and the others had been listening in, and now come out from their (terrible) hiding places behind several trees.

Shero continues. "I, uh... look, Korra, I'm sorry about teasing you before."

You raise an eyebrow at her, while Totola tries not to look too amused. "Oh? And what might have caused your sudden change of heart?" you ask with a smirk.

Her face goes bright red. "W-well, the girls and I... might have been listening in on your conversation, hehehe~. But that's not important! I didn't know about what you were going through... so... yeah."

You briefly consider lording it over her a bit more, but decide to accept the apology instead.

You all then go back and have a lovely tea party.

.

.

.

That said, you still don't go to the club that often. The rest of the week is filled with training... or rather, meditating. Yoko and Rika insist that you start your lightning generation training with meditation, since lightning requires calm and control to generate. As such, you make no visible progress there, much to your annoyance.

That said, you also felt negative energy leaving you, and thus did more of it to try and reclaim the Avatar State. Seemed to be going pretty well so far.

However, since you spent no time actually bending anything with the two of them, you decided to also visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward. The schools are each run by one of the Elemental Unions – Earth for Earth, Fire for Fire, and Water for Water. A group called the Triple Alliance aids the three of them in keeping the schools running. You were expecting there to be more people, but it turns out that many regulars have volunteered to join the military, notably including the Fire Ferrets, a pro-bending team that used to come by regularly.

Oh well. You still get a good workout.

You also get asked if you'd like to help train some of the new kids.

[][Training] You'd love to... but not right now.
[][Training] You're not interested in that, sorry.


The teachers are disappointed but understand that you have important things to do.

...and on that note, the weekend has come, it's time to go and track down the Golden Bird!

(Korra and Biyong will definitely go. Who joins them?)
[][Trackers] (write-in)
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
Sorry not sure what to do for the write ins

I do think trying to teach could be good for Korra so I'll vote yes for that.

[X][Training] You'd love to... but not right now.
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Equalists] "You could help me do some research." (Mountain spirit)
[X][Training] You'd love to... but not right now.
[X][Trackers] (Asami, Senna, Rika, One of the Flames if they feel like they need to escort Rika)

Korra, Lightning, and the Spirit Sage of Air (Month 11, part 3)

"Are you all ready to go~?" asks Biyong of your group.

Today, you, her, Asami, Senna, Rika, and Yoko are going to go into the Spirit World and track down the Golden Bird. According to Biyong's research, the Golden Bird is often found flying freely in the vast skies above the Spirit World. You all look around at each other and nod in agreement, promptly entering the Artificial Spirit Portal.

Since you're the only one of the group that can fly, the rest of the group is taking along a hot-air balloon while you'll be gliding by them wearing an Air Nomad's wing-suit. The Experimental Station, Future Industries Cooperative, and several other groups have been working on them for the past few years. It's tight, but it breathes well. You can still feel the earth through your feet, and can Fire-bend through it without burning anything. Asami must have given them some suggestions, you think.

It also looks quite nice on you, and Asami and Biyong have noticed, much to your amusement. Rika has taken to teasing them while you will the surrounding Air and Water to keep the raging storm at bay and let the others get the hot-air balloon up and running. Once they're done, you depart for the Spirit World's mainland, a massive single continent – just like the Earth Continent, but with much wilder geography.

However, you're not concerned at all with geography, but rather... aerography? Floating in the air are clouds large enough to be islands, as well as actual islands and hanging gardens. The Golden Bird spends time up here among them, never diving down to the earth below. You all go up, with Rika and Yoko giving the hot air balloon a boost to let it rise higher and higher by your side.

In the distance, down below, you see brief flashes of light and darkness. Looks like those spirits are fighting each other again...

You also feel something odd in the wind, but it's faint, so you pay it no mind.

In the hot air balloon, Asami and Biyong have taken to talking about school, with your curious mom listening in. Rika and Yoko seem to be looking around, silently taking in the view. Looks like Rika even brought a little sketch-pad and is drawing down the soaring mountains, vast forests, blighted swamps, and so on...

...you meanwhile, swim through the air, thoroughly relaxed.

That said, it's been a while with no sighting of the Golden Bird. Plenty of other flying spirits though.

"Hey, Korra!" yells Yoko at you, and you come closer to the hot air balloon.

"What's up?"

"While we're waiting for the Sage to show up, want to work on your lightning generation?"

Your eyes sparkle. "Do I!?"

Rika glances back at both of you from her sketchpad. "Is that a good idea? We need to be keeping an eye out for the Golden Bird."

"...You mean like how you're totally absorbed in your art?" asks Yoko.

Rika flushes. "I'm still watching for it!"

Yoko laughs at her, and Rika pouts back in response, before going back to her art.

Yoko turns back to you. "As for you... I'll have you meditate for a bit. It's not like anything is happening just yet..."

.

.

.

"...now then, separate positive and negative... no, no, circle your arms more like this. Here, let me show you..."

Several hours later of aimless searching, and still no sight of the Golden Bird. Yoko's decided that you've done enough meditating and is now having you try to separate your chi into positive and negative. It makes you wonder if chi can also be separated into light and dark, but you decide not to voice that thought here. Besides, you're not even sure what that would mean.

You swing your arms in a circle, slowly and calmly... calm... you're calm...

...so very calm, and not at all bored and frustrated...

...at least you can feel something happening this time!

After a while of this, you flop on the ground.

"...something the matter, Korra?" asks Yoko. Your group has landed on one of the floating islands, and the others are off exploring, leaving the two of you alone with the hot air balloon.

"I'm bored," you whine.

Yoko smirks at you, and laughs a bit.

"...what?"

"Oh nothing... just remembering something. Sure, let's take a break. I wonder where the others are..."

"They're probably..."

Your train of thought derails itself. You saw a brief glimpse of something in the sky.

"...probably?" asks Yoko, confused. Did she not see it? ...Of course, she's not looking up like you are!

Without explanation, you get up and launch yourself into the air!

"Wha-!? Hey! ...Wait is that-!?"

Now she sees it.

You spare a brief glance to see that she's ran off and is yelling for the others. Good. They'll have to catch up later.

As expected, the Golden Bird is a bird-like spirit covered in golden feathers that sparkle brightly in the sunlight...

...and is also only about as big as your head. No wonder you were having such a hard time seeing it before! Biyong said it was a massive creature, but looks like it can change sizes at will like the Albatross. It doesn't react until you get in close, as its totally absorbed in the sensation of flight. You get it, but you're on a mission here, so you yelled to get its attention.

"Excuse me! Golden Bird! Spirit Sage of Air!"

"Hmm?"

It lazily turns an eye at you.

"Oh, hello. You must be Avatar Korra. Is something the matter?"

"...Yes? Do you not know what's going on?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

After letting out an exasperated groan, you rant about Raava and Vaatu and your many bad experiences with them.

"Hmm. And I suppose you want my help to keep them sealed up?"

"That's right."

"Hmm... very well. I suppose this will be easier than what that other man suggested..."

When you ask what the spirit means by that, it tells you not to worry about it, blesses you, and then shrinks itself so that it can fly off faster and leave you behind. You can feel its energy surging in your forehead. While you're thankful... that other man... did the Golden Bird mean Unalaq?

Just what could your uncle be up to...?

.

.

.

It takes a while due to the vast expanse of the Spirit World, but you do catch up to the others and show them your blessing. Biyong apologizes for not realizing that the spirit could change sizes, but you tell her not to worry about. You're much more concerned with finding the other Sages.

Speaking of which, when you get back to school the next week, Totola lets you know that they have a lead on the Mountain Spirit, and to let her know when you want to go track it down.

[][Earth] You want to do it soon, so this weekend.
[][Earth] You'll skip the School Festival for this.
[][Earth] You want to do this after the Festival.


And in the meantime, you have lots of other things you can do...

(Korra does three of the following.)
[][Event] Research...
-[][Event] Raava and Vaatu (two rolls; highest goes through)
-[][Event] Mountain Spirit
-[][Event] Phoenix-Dragon
[][Event] Go talk to... (may write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
-[][Event] ...Amon
-[][Event] ...Tarrlok
-[][Event] ...Lin Beifong
-[][Event] ...past Avatars
-[][Event] ...Air Monks
-[][Event] ...Totola
-[][Event] (write-in)
[][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 1.5/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 1/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Investigate the "Anti-Spirit Leagues" with the ex-Equalists
[][Event] Assist the Water Unionists
[][Event] Call someone at the Northern Water Tribe: Unalaq / Deska and Esna (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Call someone at the Southern Water Tribe: Rivris / Sira (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Hang out with your friends! (specify who)
[][Event] Actually attend the Urban Gardening Club for once (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward (counts as ½ an Action)

[][Event] Continue working on Spirit Projection
[][Event] New: Meet with the delegations from Omashu and Gaoling (expires at end of month)
[][Event] New: Find a Metal-bending teacher (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] (write-in; subject to QM approval)
 
Last edited:

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Fire] [X][Earth] You want to do it soon, so this weekend.
[X][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 1.5/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 1/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[X][Event] Research...
-[X][Event] Mountain Spirit Phoenix-Dragon

Korra, a Dying Flame, and a Sturdy Stone (Month 11, part 4)

You don't return to the Gardening Club this week. You do, however, still run into Totola every day since you're taking her Urban Gardening class with Vanra, Shero, and many others. At the end of one day, you let her know that you want to track down the Mountain Spirit this weekend, and she promises to make sure things are ready by then.

In the meantime, your goal is to get more training done and finish up some research.

Unfortunately, while the training goes well enough, you run into a pretty major issue with actually getting any research done.

Yoko and Rika gave you one completely free afternoon to get your research done, and you naturally used it to head over to Phoenix City and take advantage of their extensive library network. You figure that'll be your best bet for getting any information about where in the Spirit World it resides. However, not long after you arrive in Phoenix City, you get the feeling that you're being watched.

You don't feel any spiritual presence, so these must be ordinary people. But what could they want?

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice that they're all in plain red robes, hoods covering their faces. Occasionally you get a glimpse of golden or grey eyes peeking out from the cloaked darkness. So then... they're with that dying Order? You frown, and turn from away from the city and towards the beach. Best not to get random people involved in this. There are only a few people wandering around on the shore at this time of year, and they're all some ways away.

You turn and face the cloaked group, who keep their faces hidden and stand a good distance away.

You tap your left foot against the sand. "Well? What do you people want?"

One of them steps forward. "Dear Avatar Korra..."

"Don't you 'Dear Avatar Korra' me!" you shout back, pointing at the man. "You're with the Order of the Golden Phoenix, aren't you?"

The man recoils as if struck. "Well... not quite. Our friends and family were among them..."

Another one comes up, this time a girl who you think is around your age. "We were hoping you'd help us clear their names."

Your left eye twitches. "You... want me to..."

"Yes!" she continues, ignoring your annoyance. "You're the Avatar, so you have to help us!"

"No, I do not!" you retort. "If you wanted my help, maybe you guys shouldn't have kidnapped me!"

"That wouldn't have happened if agents from Tu Zin hadn't intervened!"

"The agents from Tu Zin that were on your side!? Those agents!?"

She growls at you, takes her hood off, and gets into a fighting stance. "That's it! If you won't help us out on your own, then I'll just make you help us!"

You sigh, roll your eyes, and stomp into the sand.

"Huh? ...Wha-!?"

The sand them opens up beneath her and all the rest of them, and they get buried up to their chests.

"H-hey! Let me out!"

You ignore her as you walk over to a nearby public phone and make a call.

.

.

.

While dealing with those people was easy, the deliberations ran by the local detectives take a couple hours, so you lose out on that day of study. Ugh, what a pain! At this point, you're wondering if you just want to chance it and search for the Phoenix-Dragon on your own.

(Go search for the Phoenix-Dragon instead of doing more research? This would be after the School Festival. You are more likely to run into hostile spirits if Yes is chosen, but the action itself cannot fail and frees up time for other things.)
[][Fire] Yes.
[][Fire] No.


Thankfully, that's balanced out by actual progress in generating lightning. Right now, you can summon forth great bolts of lightning... but that's about it. Fancy tricks like speeding yourself up are beyond your ability, since you don't have fine control over it just yet. But if you need to absolutely fry something, that won't be a problem. Progress on re-connecting with the Avatar Spirit is slower, but also going along. You're pretty sure you'll have it back by the end of the month at this rate.

Buoyed by those bits of progress, you have a good mood when you and your mom meet with up Totola and a few other ex-Equalists to track down the Mountain Spirit. Like last time, the others will be in a hot-air balloon while you're in your wing-suit. Unfortunately, Asami and Biyong are busy, so you can't tease them this time. Oh well, better luck next time...

Today, you're heading for one of the many tall mountain ranges in the interior of the Spirit World. Unsurprisingly, the Mountain Spirit can be found in the mountains. What's more surprising – to you, at least – is how familiar the mountains seem. One of the ex-Equalists points out that the geography matches that of the Kolau Mountains, the ones surrounding Omashu. Memories of a past life must be bleeding through...

Not long after arriving in the Mountains, the spirit comes to you. It arrives in the form of a giant man with a long flowing beard, clad in the green royal robes of the Earth Continent, and wielding a giant stone war-hammer. Beckoning to you, you descend to meet it at a tall plateau and the others follow you down.

"So, you must be Avatar Korra," it asks.

"That's right," you start. "I..."

It holds up a hand. "I know why you are here. You seek my blessing. But to get it..."

It slams the head of its weapon upon the ground, causing an earthquake!

"...you will have to show me your strength."

"..."

You smirk, and step forward, pumped up for a fight.

"Sounds good to me~!"

(VERSUS THE SPIRIT SAGE OF EARTH)

(How do you approach the fight?)
[] It's an Earth-aligned spirit, so you should...
-[] ...fight on its terms, with mostly Earth-bending
-[] ...fight opposing it, with mostly Air-bending
-[] ...fight on your terms with Fire and Water
[] Switch between the elements at will. You're the Avatar, so fight like one!
[] (optional write-in for more details)
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
[X][Fire] Yes.
[X] It's an Earth-aligned spirit, so you should...
-[X] ...fight on your terms with Fire and Water


Being yourself is the typical shounen power up right? XD
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Fire] Yes.
[X] Switch between the elements at will. You're the Avatar, so fight like one!

Korra vs the Spirit Sage of Earth! (Month 11, part 5)

Your first thought is that since you're the Avatar, you'll fight like an Avatar – with all four elements at your disposal.

Your second thought is that since this Spirit is aligned with the Earth, it must fight like an Earth-bender would. That is – with a focus on a strong defense, solid footwork, and heavy offense. Countering it directly would be dangerous.

Your third thought is simply: "Sounds exciting!"

You briefly glance back at the ex-Equalists, who have retreated back to the hot air balloon to keep out of your way, and then turn your attention back to the Sage who is swinging the hammer right at you-!

"Ahhhh!?"

"Stay focused, Korra!"

There's no time!

You quickly breathe out a gust of heavy Air to slide out of the way of the hammer's center of mass...

"Gah!!!"

...only to still get clipped by it and sent flying off the mountain!

"Ahhhhhhhh...!"

Thankfully, your wingsuit lets you catch some air and keep yourself from crashing to the ground. You catch your breath. Right. You're in its home element, so it's no wonder it can do stuff like that.

You start to glide back to the plateau. The Sage throws stones at you, and you alternate between outright dodging them and splitting them apart with kicks of cutting Water pulled from the air. As you get closer, you drop down on top of the Sage...

"Hm?"

...who swings the hammer at you again, but this time, you're ready! You breathe out a massive stream of Fire, and the pressure from the flames causes the hammer to slip from its grasp. Granted, the pressure also sends you backwards, but you recover faster than your opponent. You send forward a wall of Earth and then dash in behind it. While it crushes the wall easily, it's attention there means that it can't stop you from kicking it right in the face!

"Take tha-!?"

But it did nothing!?

The Sage recovers almost immediately. You release a jet of Fire from your feet so that you can keep out of its reach. When you land, you shove the Earth itself around, sending the half of the plateau the Sage is on away from you...

"Hm? You'll have to do better than that!"

...only for it to grab your side of the plateau and pull the two of them back together. You lose your footing and fall over, shocked. What kind of power is that!? But you don't have any time to think about that, because the Spirit has leapt into the air with hammer back in tow and is about to crash down!

You roll over and, with a massive burst of Air, blow yourself away. The hammer crashes, shaking the whole plateau. You don't have a firm enough grasp to stop it, but you can call more Water from the air to blast the Sage away. It drops the hammer again, and this time you get the bright idea to try and grab it yourself. Maybe to wield it – maybe to throw it down the mountain. Haven't decided just yet.

It's still recovering, so you have plenty of time. You get in close, dig into the ground, and heave.

"Come on!!"

"Hm!?"

With all your might, you're able to heft it up – but not by much. It's about as big as you and super-heavy. As you try to get it to a position where you're able to actually use it as a weapon...

"Let's goooooooo!?"

...you lose your footing and end up flinging it away.

"Oh no!"

You watch as it sails past the hot air balloon and falls and falls down and down... you really hope nobody is down there.

You then turn towards the Spirit Sage – half to apologize, half to get back into a fighting stance – and you see it's now seated, and merely content to consider you.

"Hmhm. Not bad. Very well."

It claps its massive hands once.

"You shall receive my blessing."

You blink.

"What?"

It gives you a confused look. "Did you perhaps not hear me?"

You shake your head. "No, no, I did, but... ummm... I didn't actually beat you?"

It laughs heartily. "Oh dear. Avatar Korra, you had no hope of beating me."

It then snaps its fingers. Not too long later, the hammer comes flying back up and crashes on the ground next to it.

"But... that was never the point. I wanted to see your strength, and I have. You are quite the worthy person."

"Oh! Well, thanks then!"

"No problem. Now then..."

The Sage gets into a meditative stance, and gestures for you to mirror it. When you do so, you can feel spiritual energy surging around you. This time, it concentrates in your feet, and when you open your eyes, you can see green markings down there.

"I suppose you will be going then?" it asks.

"Yes. What, is there something you wanted to ask me about?"

"Well, you were not my only recent challenger, so I was wondering how they were doing. One was a man from the North Pole and the other was a man from Omashu."

As he describes them in more detail, you realize that he's talking about your uncle and the new King of Omashu. Your uncle failed the challenge but the other man passed. You haven't talked to your uncle in a while though and have never met the other guy. The Sage then wishes you well as it dissolves back into the mountain, and you're left wondering if you'll need to confront your uncle again.

.

.

.

Unfortunately, it won't be possible to do so anytime soon. The war in the north is still raging, and there's no way you'll be able to get through.

In the meantime, you resolve to go and track down the last of the Spirit Sages. Fire. The Phoenix-Dragon. All the others resided in places matching their element, so maybe it'll be in a volcano.

Only one way to find out.

(Next update will be the School Festival. Who does Korra spend time with?)
[][Festival] Asami was able to make time to come by and say hello.
[][Festival] Biyong was able to slip away from the other musicians.
[][Festival] Vanra was able to duck out from the Water Unionists.
[][Festival] You were able to briefly meet up with each of them.
[][Festival] This time, you spent the Festival mostly by yourself.


(There was also a minor incident that week. What was it?)
[][Event] There seemed to be detectives out and about...
[][Event] The Anti-Spirit League was holding a rally...
[][Event] A delegation from Omashu came to see you...
[][Event] That girl from Phoenix City is at it again...
 

MagnificentLilyWitch

Active member
Pronouns
She/Her
[X][Festival] Asami was able to make time to come by and say hello.

Girlfriend!

and this new king dude sounds interesting

[X][Event] A delegation from Omashu came to see you...
 

Solarstream

Alchemic Anarchist
Pronouns
he/him
Winning vote:
[X][Festival] Asami was able to make time to come by and say hello.
[X][Event] There seemed to be detectives out and about...

Korra, a School Festival, and an Incident (Month 11, part 6)

The morning of the school festival, you wake up bright and early, and dip out of the house before your parents wake up. The sun is just starting to peak up from behind the horizon on a clear day with a light, refreshing breeze. You take a deep breath in and out, and head for the island's northern docks. Turns out there's no ferries running this early, but they let you use one of the spare smaller boats as long as you promise to bring it back. With a thanks, you sail off, directing the wind to take you to Dragon Flats.

The school festival is an event that everyone in the school participates in. Last year, you took part as a member of the Urban Gardening Club... but this year, you've been busy with Avatar stuff and couldn't be too involved. Shero, as the head of the Gardening Club, noted this and had someone from the Student Council ask you to help set things up on the day itself, rather than participate with a club. It's pretty typical for people who aren't in clubs to do this. For example, that's what Asami did last year, as she was busy at the Experimental Station.

And so, here you are.

Predictably, the port at Dragon Flats is much more active than the one on your home island, and you end up deciding to carry the boat with you. You must look quite strange... but you're not getting that much attention. People seem pre-occupied with something... and you notice the odd detective out and about, open accompanied by militia-types. Did something happen while you were away? You haven't checked the news lately...

Stopping by a newsstand, you greet the guy there (who raises an eyebrow at your boat but doesn't question it) and grab a paper. The front-page story tells you all you need to know.

Tarrlok has escaped!

He was held under house arrest in the most rural stretches of the Mo Ce Coast area, as it was deemed far enough away from Phoenix City that there was little risk of him going on a killing spree if he did manage to escape. This did not stop him, however, as the people who were supposed to be guarding him were found dead and drained of blood. It was only by a stroke of luck that he happened to break out right before someone was scheduled to come and check in on them, so the news could be spread almost immediately. By the time he made it across the bay and entered Phoenix City, a militia was there to face him.

He then chose to slip back under the waters, and hasn't been seen since.

When you ask the news guys when this happened, he says it was yesterday probably, so you would have been in the Spirit World. Growling, you take a copy of the paper and stomp off, the man noting that down and wishing you a good day.

Your mood is still sour by the time you get to school. The school takes up about a block's worth of space, split between the actual school building and outdoor spaces. The greeters wave you in and one of them tells you to leave your boat by one of the sheds in the back. People are too busy setting things up to question what you're doing with it, so you're able to drop it off and then head for the main auditorium without issue.

"Ah, Korra!" says the Student Council President, Ba Fah, upon seeing you. "Good morning~! ...is something the matter?"

"Just... more Avatar stuff."

You shake your head, and stiffen up.

"But that's not important right now. What still needs to be done?"

She glances down at her notes. "Hmmm... there's still some booths that need to be put up, and some classrooms need to be prepared. What's your preference?"

[][Assistance] Korra helps put up booths
[][Assistance] Korra helps prepare classrooms


She nods at you. "Excellent! Thanks again for your help Korra!"

She then calls someone over and has her direct you on where to go...

.

.

.

A while later, you're finally done, and now go around and enjoy the festival yourself.

Each School Festival reflects the unique characteristics of each school. It's entirely student-directed, managed by the Student Council. The specific events on display are selected by the students, whether as a club or as individuals. For this school, the big draws are food stalls, plays and dances, poetry readings, art exhibits, and concerts. Biyong is on later in the day, so you have plenty of time to wander around beforehand.

And while doing so...

"Hey Korra~!"

"Asami!"

...Asami comes to visit. Unlike high schools, the school festivals at the university level are completely optional. There's supposedly a big one in Midtown, but you guess that's not the case with Dragon Flats. The two of you grab lunch, catching a brief glance of Vanra with some other Water Tribe members, and stop to chat for a bit. You show off the blessing you got from the Spirit Sage of Earth and brag about how well you did in the fight, and she tells you about the continuing work of the Experimental Station on the Anti-Spirit Radios. They've decided that it's necessary to make one that specifically counters Tarrlok, and so want to tune it such that it specifically blocks Blood-bending but not Water-bending.

If you'd like to help out, you'd be welcome. Amon has already been contacted, and was quite willing to volunteer.

[][Radio] Korra volunteers (at least one Action slot must be spent on this by the end of the month)
[][Radio] Korra does not volunteer


"Oh, but I didn't come here just for that," adds Asami. "I wanted to spend the day with you."

"With me~?" you ask, smirking. "Aww, Asami, you're gonna make me blush~!"

She then sticks her tongue out at you, face a light red, and you chuckle at her expense.

"A-anyway... anything new and interesting this year?" she asks.

You shrug. "I've been too busy to pay much attention to festival planning. Oh, how about we walk around and check things out until Biyong's performance?"

"Sounds fun to me. Lead the way."

.

.

.

Hours later, after Biyong's excellent solo performance and you've helped to tear down after the festival, you get stopped on the way home by a local detective. They ask if you've heard about Tarrlok's escape, to which you answer yes, and then let you know that any help you can give towards subduing him will be much appreciated. As far as they know, he's still underwater, even now.

Quite a nuisance, that man is...

...and he's one where you're not sure if you want to spare the time to help track him down. You'll be in the Spirit World again this weekend, and you might want to use your time during the week for other things.

In fact, you decide to take time to plan out your week while on the boat ride back to Spirit Portal Island.

(Korra does three of the following.)
[][Event] Research...
-[][Event] Raava and Vaatu (two rolls; highest goes through) [Asami will handle this if not chosen]
-[][Event] Mountain Spirit
-[][Event] Phoenix-Dragon

[][Event] Go talk to... (may write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
-[][Event] ...Amon
-[][Event] ...Tarrlok
-[][Event] ...Lin Beifong
-[][Event] ...past Avatars
-[][Event] ...Air Monks
-[][Event] ...Totola
-[][Event] (write-in)
[][Event] Training Lightning-bending! (Progress: 2.5/5 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Reconnecting with the Avatar State! (Progress: 1.5/3 – bare success = ½; good or great = 1; crit = 2)
[][Event] Investigate the "Anti-Spirit Leagues" with the ex-Equalists [Vanra will handle this if not chosen]
[][Event] Assist the Water Unionists
[][Event] Call someone at the Northern Water Tribe: Unalaq / Deska and Esna (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Call someone at the Southern Water Tribe: Rivris / Sira (must write-in details; counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Hang out with your friends! (specify who)
[][Event] Actually attend the Urban Gardening Club for once (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] Visit the bending schools in Tiger Ward (counts as ½ an Action)

[][Event] Continue working on Spirit Projection
[][Event] Meet with the delegations from Omashu and Gaoling (expires at end of month)
[][Event] Find a Metal-bending teacher (counts as ½ an Action)
[][Event] New: Volunteer at the Experimental Station (expires at end of month)
[][Event] New: Go search for Tarrlok! (specify if you will use Spirit Projection or go in person)
[][Event] New: It's been a while since you last worked out... [Biyong will be doing this, and you'd be joining her]
[][Event] (write-in; subject to QM approval)



QM Note: I may return to the School Festival in a sidestory, but I felt the update was a good enough length for now.
 
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