[center][img]http://img.wikia.nocookie.net/intmap_tile_set_30/thumb/4000px-20140706195818%21phptzt0x4.jpg/680x382x5-4000px-20140706195818%21phptzt0x4.jpg[/img][/center] Thousands of years ago, a man fused with the spirit of light and peace known as Raava, creating the first Avatar, and the first human benders. For thousands of years the Avatar's duty was to keep peace and balance to the world, and its four nations by mastering all four elements: Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. When the Avatar dies, they would be reincarnated into the nation next in the cycle. The cycle eventually reached an airbender named Ii. She had trouble with the nations during her lifetime, struggling to keep peace with the earth kingdom and water tribe. She managed to resolve the situation, but became terminally ill, leaving little time left for her. To help the Avatar in maintaining peace, the world's most powerful benders came together to form a society to help enforce the peace and keep everything balanced. They called themselves The Order. A couple years later and Avatar Ii passed, and it left the world searching for her successor. Both the Northern and Southern water tribes started ceremonies, and rituals to find whoever might be the Avatar... But after a year, they couldn't find them. The nations were confused, and scared. Did they break the Avatar cycle? Was the Avatar hiding? Who would be the peace keeper now? Although there were concerns, The Order assured everyone that they would keep the world safe while the Avatar was gone. Secretly, members of The Order had plots to stop the next Avatar. They believed they only brought war, fear, and left trouble for future generations. Although they sent men to hunt for the new Avatar secretly, they don't know if their plan succeeded or not. Eighteen years later, The Order hung over the four nations like a mist. Although they could not fully control or reign the kingdoms, they had major influences, with certain benders having certain positions. By this time The Order had become power hungry, corrupt, and in some cases even cruel towards the people they swear they protect. At this point, the four nations have lost hope of a new Avatar. It had been almost two decades since Ii had passed, and The Order has everyone on edge, taking advantage of being the most powerful benders that seem to "bring peace." And then, rumors started spreading. Somewhere in the Fire Nation, a water bender was said to have gone in the Avatar State. The search was on. People wanting to help, people wanting to hunt them down, and people just curious to see the person who hid from the world for so long. The Avatar must learn to master the elements, and to bring peace back to the world. He will make friends, enemies, and take on all of the challenges he had desperately tried to run from. With The Order, bounty hunters, and rulers trying to hunt down the Avatar, will you aid him, or join the hunt? THE ORDER LORE: [hider=The Order] Founded with Avatar Ii 20 years ago, the order was supposed to aid the Avatar in maintaining peace and happiness across the nations as she got more and more ill. The greatest benders of each nation formed together to serve with the Avatar, but as time went on, the Grandmaster of the Order had some thoughts. They planned to make sure the Avatar didn't come back to cause more problems. The Avatar only started new wars after their deaths, and they knew the only way to peace was to disrupt the cycle... Although they never found the next Avatar in the cycle, they took their absence as an advantage. They used the fear of the people to assure them that they were the best thing for the world, and that they would keep the peace. Although some Order members still believe that, the organization is tainted by those who want power, wealth, and everything in between. There are four embassy's within the world. Capitol City, Ba Sing Se, and the two poles. Other Order-run buildings are found throughout the world, but their main headquarters is on a peninsula west of the Earth Kingdom. Although they claim to not be an army, there are resemblances in their main head of operations. [hider=Ranks] Although they are not a military, they do have ranks within the order to keep them in line, and having only the wisest and most skilled leading the organization. [center]Grand Master -- Master/councilman(woman) -- Officer -- Captain -- Legion (the grunts)[/center][/hider] [u][b]Current known members of the High Council of The Order: [/b][/u] [hider=Grand Master Jiao][color=fff79a]Name:[/color] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/59/39/06/593906883fca6089d5201ee42e1d9df2.jpg]Grand Master Jiao[/url] [color=fff79a]Age:[/color] 43 [color=fff79a]Appearance:[/color] Grand Master Jiao is tall, broad, and keeps a heroic posture, though his mannerisms and decisions tend to not be as equitable. His wrinkles and creases along his face is beginning to show his age, keeping an angry, irritable expression which is paired with his annoyed and serious vocal tones. His garments are crafted of high quality furs and materials that were given to him when he founded the order. [color=fff79a]Faction:[/color] The Order [color=fff79a]Bender?:[/color] Fire & Lightning [color=fff79a]Bio:[/color] Grand Master Jiao was born into a wealthy, renowned family related to the Imperial family of the fire nation. His family were known for their line of bravery and powerful fire-benders who helped establish the vast, talented army of the fire nation. Grand Master Jiao was trained to become a soldier at a young age and his constant, harsh training began to show throughout the years resulting in his enlistment of the military. As he learned more of nobility and diplomacy, he began to climb the ranks of the military until he became one of the finest commanders. With a great battle prowess and incredible strategic knowledge, he helped found the Order once the Avatar had passed. Grand Master Jiao was one of the many benders that became close to the terminally ill Avatar and made it his duty to find the reincarnated Avatar. Without much luck, he began to doubt that a successor was birthed. Instead of announcing to the nations of his continuous failures of finding the new avatar, he founded the Order with a band of the greatest benders of the nations in hopes that the civilians would feel at ease again. They became respected and revered for many of the peaceful acts that they commended, but Grand Master Jiao became tainted by his incredible power and control. Jiao began to hold himself higher than the primary leaders of the land, believing that The Order was to be the most respected and honored people of the land, though many only looked to them as a secret, powerful military to aid as a third-party in battles. Jiao's decisions became clouded with greed and his thirst for power, causing his decisions to be less just and more fearful. If the peaceful acts wouldn't grant him the reverence he desired, then he would choose fear to gain the followers. Once it was revealed that the new Avatar made an appearance, he became paranoid that The Order would fall apart and his new regime would end. Jiao is now doing everything in his power to end the Avatar line, believing that The Order should be the new peacemakers instead of relying on a single individual to be the judge of peace. Grandmaster Jiao is in control of many soldiers and legions who follow The Order respectfully. Although, his altered personality and hunger for control has stirred up a lot of conspiracies and rebellious acts in his council. Many believe that Jiao will go back to his own ways, but some believe he is lost in his fantasy of world-control. Regardless, the hunt for the Avatar proceeds, in hopes that he could be the new Grandmaster of The Order, or replace it entirely -- or be killed to allow Grandmaster Jiao's legacy to continue. [color=fff79a]Personality:[/color] Grand Master Jiao has become corrupted by power and greed, making many of his decisions unjust and giving him a more nonchalant attitude towards [i]actual[/i] peaceful decisions. With a growing apathetic nature, his only interest seems to be control and slaying the Avatar to get rid of his haunting nightmares of becoming insignificant. Grand Master Jiao is irritable, angry, disrespectful, bossy, and fearsome. [color=fff79a]Family/Relationships:[/color] Grand Master Jiao is feared by many, but also followed by many. All the leaders of the nations know him, and he is followed by his councilmen and legions. [color=fff79a]Other:[/color] [/hider] [hider=Councilman Bao][color=fff79a]Name:[/color] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1b/d2/a3/1bd2a3f7ed3db8cae8985cefaeddfcc4--fantasy-rpg-fantasy-male-human.jpg]Councilman Bao[/url] [color=fff79a]Age:[/color] 44 [color=fff79a]Appearance:[/color] Bao has a cheeky smile and a very masculine body that's hidden by his baggy, puffy clothes. He stands at 6'4 and looks as if he weighs a ton, but he carries himself lightly and humorously. He has a long sleeve on one arm that he uses to pull random things out of such as weapons, scrolls, smoking pipes, or maps. [color=fff79a]Faction:[/color] The Order [color=fff79a]Bender?:[/color] Fire [color=fff79a]Bio:[/color] Bao grew up training alongside Grand Master Jiao, becoming close friends who did nearly everything together. Though they've had their quarrels and fights, they've always seemed to reunite and become even closer after they made up. Bao never sought to climb the ranks of the military, always being content with where he was at and letting life take him while enjoying the journey. He watched as Grand Master Jiao worked persistently to gain favor and climb the ladder to commander. Grand Master Jiao then asked him personally to become a soldier of his legion in which began a series of battles where they fought alongside each other. Throughout many battles, he followed Jiao endlessly, even during the search for the Avatar. It was then that Grand Master Jiao presented the idea of The Order to Bao and requested for him to be one of his Councilmen. Bao accepted, believing that he'll continue to be in a position in which he is commanded and only uses his skills for those that lead him. Though, this new title suggested that he became a leader himself, forcing him to learn the ways of the law and what decisions were most peaceful. Bao, being a care-free person, never cared for power, especially not as much as Jiao. Thus, he never could understand Jiao's thirst for it, resulting in a growing dislike for his childhood best friend and close companion. Bao disagreed with many of Jiao's decisions, but never truly voiced his opinion for the sake of not wanted to be a creator of conflict and strife. [color=fff79a]Personality:[/color] Bao is humorous, hearty, and care-free. His uplifting spirit aids in morale and he gives a protecting presence to his allies. Although, he becomes angered easily when one taunts him endlessly or consistently harms his friends. [color=fff79a]Family/Relationships:[/color] Bao is best known by the legions of the Order as well as the commanders of the fire nation. [color=fff79a]Other:[/color] [/hider] [hider=Coucilwoman Valera][color=fff79a]Name:[/color] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/2f/e3/4d/2fe34db84a77cc1bb89f14ea78114179.jpg]Councilwoman Valera[/url] [color=fff79a]Age:[/color] 40 [color=fff79a]Appearance:[/color] Valera is tall and slender with a nice figure and toned muscles. She carries herself confidently and has a seductive strut as she walks. Valera's long, blonde hair has natural barrel curls that shine all the way down to her wide hips. She tends to wear beautifully-embroidered clothing that are form-fitting to showcase her beauty as well as present her as a woman of The Order as well as the fire nation. She has a sly smile and a very serious, and bitchy, expression. [color=fff79a]Faction:[/color] The Order [color=c4df9b]Bender?:[/color] Fire [color=fff79a]Bio:[/color] Valera had a very big passion for fire bending, loving the art and the beauty of creating flames and lightning from thin air. She practiced hard for her passion for it and also thoroughly enjoyed the intimidation factor that added to her bossy attitude. Being the daughter of the strategist of the fire nation's army, she had a natural ability to strategize battles and uncover easier ways to victory just from being surrounded by many of her father's plans, but also indulging in several of his studies. Valera commanded her own legion of soldiers in battle, preferring to stay at her rank and fight under her father's strategized plans -- adding in her own strategies during pre-battle meetings. She was content with being a fearsome officer on the battlefield until an opportunity presented itself from one of the leading commanders at the time: Commander Jiao. He explained to her his plan of creating The Order in replace of the Avatar, and she agreed, becoming apart of the council to utilize her talent of battle strategy. Although she witnessed Grand Master Jiao's perspectives change throughout the years, she didn't seem to care as much as the other members of the coucil. She, too, believed that The Avatar should no longer be needed and that relying on a single individual to ensure peace was too trusting and too dangerous. Valera thought Grand Master Jiao's harshness was not as necessary as he made it out to be, but she also agreed that the people should fear the power of The Order to prevent outbursts in crime. [color=fff79a]Personality:[/color] Valera is confident, stern, commanding, and opinionated, but she's also a careful thinker. She thinks everything through and hates being double-crossed or backstabbed. Valera is also very blunt. [color=fff79a]Family/Relationships:[/color] Many know Valera as the pretty blonde fire bender of The Order. She's known as a great strategist and is a well fit for The Order. [color=fff79a]Other:[/color] [/hider] [hider=Councilman Nero] Name: [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/3d/14/e7/3d14e7aae464d9639e76c9c0abed6022.jpg]Councilman Nero[/url] Age: 39 Appearance: Handsome but solemn, he takes pride in maintaining a respectable figure. His voice can cut through crowds like a sword and his eyes can pierce them like a spear. Overall the atmosphere around him is always intimidating. He has black, medium but well-kept hair. He is fairly tall and fairly built. Faction: Order Bender: Fire & Lightning Bio: Nero comes from old money, and old politics at that. For over 100 years his family has served in politics within the Fire Nation. With his skill and intellect, worked behind the scenes as a sly politician and advisor to the Fire Lord. From his campaign, he meets Jiao who was a commander at the time and became a close consultant/ally. When he helps establish the Order, Nero’s mindset was already clear from the start: to gain respect and power beyond imagination. And when the Order slowly become more obsessed with being a world power, Nero much like Jiao, became reliant on the idea that the world needed them. Even going as far as birthing a child to serve the cause. He serves on the council mainly as a political advisor. Personality: Nero is a crude and vicious man, never stopping until he gets what he wants. He hides all of that in a serious and intimidating façade. He hardly shows any positive emotion and tends to look on the downside of things. Nero is very prideful and believes that failure is unforgivable. Family/Relationships: He respects Jiao for their shared goals and similarities. Serving him and the order political wise. As for his daughter Nora, he mainly sees her as a tool for the Order. But makes decisions for the sake of her becoming more successful. As for Nora's mother, he disposed of her as soon as she birthed him an heir. [/hider] Major thanks to [@Lionhearted] and [@KimmiNinja] for the help making these characters! [/hider] RULES: 1) This is a casual RP, but I do believe in quality over quantity! Everyone has writers block from time to time, all I ask is that there are no one liners. "He walked into the room" won't get the story going, and its not fun to read! 2) PLEASE BE FAIR WITH YOUR CHARACTER!!! I love creativity, I don't want to limit that, but don't be over powered, or be the "all knowing master bender that is too perfect." If you are not sure about something to add, just send me a PM and I'll help out :) 3) The setting is set long before "The Last Airbender" So anything in "The Legend of Korra" Will not be in here, it'll be old school stuff... And as for metal bending, or lava bending and things like that, I'll allow it but like rule 2 said, be fair. 4) If you have any problems or concerns about another character, please try to resolve it peacefully in a PM, or let me know so I can help! 5) When we are first starting off in the RP, Please wait until two other people have posted before you post again, it keeps people from getting left behind. 6) COMMUNICATION IS KEY! If you know you're gonna be inactive for a little bit, or can't think of a post, or just need help, let us know, I want this to be fun, not stressful :D CHARACTER SHEET: Name: Age: Appearance: Picture, or description works Faction: water tribe/earth kingdom/drifter/refugee/etc. Bender?: Water/earth/fire/air (subcategories optional) Bio: Doesn't have to be long, or if you'd like to describe it in the IC that is fine too Personality: Family/Relationships: father/sister/nephew/girlfriend/etc. also optional Other: --------------------------------------- Name: Mallo Age: 18 Appearance: [hider=Mallo] Do not mind the face, just the clothes![hider=clothes][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/44/1e/91/441e91f8f430f61eaa5ac461ed54d5e1.jpg[/img] Credit goes to BJHenriquez on DevianArt[/hider] Mallo has a messy, yet stylish, head of jet black hair, and like most water benders, striking blue eyes. He stands at about six feet, and his skin is a bit darker from his travels. He carries a pouch of water, a bag strapped to his back, and a dagger made in the Northern water tribe.[/hider] Faction: Northern Water Tribe Bender?: Avatar Bio: [hider=My Story] Although I was born in the North Pole, I don't remember what it looks like, or why I left. To be honest I don't even remember my parents. I was raised by an old fisherman in the southern Earth Kingdom, just above the south pole. He wasn't really a father figure, I was his apprentice. He taught me all about fishing, and we would take trips to the Southern Water Tribe to make deliveries from time to time. As I got older, I asked more and more questions about my parents, and the water tribes, and especially bending. Lao would be quick and snappy to answer, and I would often get nowhere. One day I went snooping, and found out that Lao was a famed water bender from the north, and even had a painting of my parents and him in his room. Yeah, he was pretty mad, told me not to talk about it anymore, but with persistence and guilt, I made the old fisherman teach me how to water bend. I was a natural at it, taking in advanced techniques in only a few months. We would practice while sailing to the South, we would practice while catching fish, and even on our free time... But Lao didn't seem too happy about this, almost feeling a bit paranoid. As time went on, I learned more and more. Our little fisherman industry was starting to dwindle because of The Order's influence. "protections fees" were being implemented on our town, They thought bending of any kind could be dangerous and should be left to the "professionals" and it was clear that these guys were not saints like they claimed to be. Lao would tell me that it didn't use to be this way. The Avatar would have kept peace and happiness throughout the world through wisdom, and force only when they needed to. The more and more the Order got involved in our town, the more I wished that The Avatar would come back. When I was 13, I woke up in the middle of the night to Lao, telling me we had to leave. Word had gotten out that a kid and old water bender was living here. I was confused, earth benders lived in our town, air nomads would come and go, why were water benders so different? It didn't matter though, because we set out north, tired and cold. Our escape plan was short lived, because we were ambushed by Order members. Lao and I gave an impressive display, I wasn't as good as my master. He held them off, and demanded that I run, with a few seconds of arguing, I had no choice but to leave Master Lao behind. I hadn't seen him since. Alone, and tired, I made my way across the Earth Kingdom, stopping in towns and offering work for money or a meal. I had seen things that no other kid should have... I had seen bullies, thieves, orphans, sick and elderly being treated poorly by town security or even The Order. I would hear stories about a hidden tyranny, about how the Avatar is probably waiting for the right time to strike, but all I wanted was to get to the North. To the water tribe. It took me over two years, but I finally saw the huge walls of the Northern Water Tribe. I was eager, excited, and nervous. Were my parents here, would they remember me? Or even accept me? I started asking around, getting information on where my parents could have possibly lived. A woman knew who I was right away, and looked like she saw a ghost. She had been an old family friend, remembered the day I left the tribe, and she brought me in to tell me some bad news. They had been missing for about 14 years now. The order came in and that was the last they saw of them. No one knew why, or where they went... But she told me that I couldn't stay long. I stayed a few days to rest, I got fresh clothes, a water pouch, and a small sculpted wolf that my father once carried. I was told to go somewhere where benders from all over the world went, somewhere he could be welcomed... It was confusing, and hard to hear that I wasn't welcome with my own people, to learn more about bending. But I had a new mission. To find my parents. I headed to Ba Sing Se, a good starting point for the hunt for my parents. I set out with high hopes. Three years later, It was no use. No one would have remembered my parents, even with the information the family friend gave me. I traveled around, made new friends, and even helped people out with my bending, but no matter how hard I searched, I got nowhere closer to my parents. I'm back in Ba Sing Se, feeling a little defeated. I have never forgotten Lao, how the Order seemed to come after me because of my bending. My parents were taken by the Order... They obviously had something to do with it. But there wasn't anything I could do. I was just a water bender who was orphaned and unwanted. Maybe one day this will all make sense.[/hider] Personality: Mallo can be considered mischievous, stubborn, and hard headed, but also uses humor and sarcasm as a defense mechanism. He's trying to understand his past, and what happened to his family, but isn't against helping anyone else when they need it. He loves a challenge, to experience and understand. When he becomes the Avatar, he is afraid of the new responsibility put on him, and although it terrifies him, he finds it as an answer to why all of his has happened. Being the Avatar will be challenging for the kid who has been ignored for most of his life, but he's willing to try and do something with that. Family/Relationships: My mom and dad are missing... and I never found out what happened to Master Lao. ((Anyone interested let me know!)) Other: Doesn't know he's the Avatar yet. knows how to cook pretty well. Has almost fully mastered water bending