[i]Water. Earth. Fire. Air.

Long ago, Avatar Korra brought balance to the human and spirit worlds. The four nations have undergone many changes. The entire world is different from what it was. But some things remain the same. Even with Avatar Korra gone, we are ever in need of balance.[/i]

Welcome to Republic City, the center of the world. With a spirit portal at the heart of the city, that is certainly not just a boast. Envisioned by Avatar Aang and Firelord Zuko to be an example of cooperation among the nations, Republic City is a multicultural metropolitan hub that millions call home.

Gone are the quaint old days of trams and rickety satomobiles. With maglev trains zipping through the city and the latest Futurons burning asphalt and rubber, the city has truly stepped into the modern era. Telemovers are in every house, bringing entertainment right to their living room. Handheld varricks allow people to communicate with each other from across the world. It is truly a new age!

But all is not fine and dandy in the city of eternal lights. President Kiki has her hands full with a city that is only thinly held together. Multiple forces vie for her attention and control of the city.

The Raava Cultists, once a humble collection of acolytes dedicated to the light spirit, are now a powerful religious force sweeping through the inhabitants of the city. Their Grand Abbott is a man who is as ruthless as he is pious.

On the other hand, Equalist Terrorist cells are still operational within the city, all too frequently orchestrating dastardly acts of terror. Their current leader has so far proven to be a very elusive person.

Also on the President's agenda is the growing monopoly of Future Industries and their heavy-handed lobbying tactics. The current CEO, Mizuki Tanaga, is a ruthless businessman who sees governments as mere playthings to be toyed with.

There are external forces at play, too. For a hundred years, the United Earthen States has been a staunch ally to the Republic. But splinter cells of the now-defunt Dai Li, calling themselves the Earth Liberation Front, are whipping up nationalistic fervour in UES, threatening the fledgling democracy of the Earth nation and harking back to an era of authoritarian rule. Should the untoward happen, Republic City will lie directly in the crosshairs. Prime Minister Lee Beifong of the United Earthen States has quite a lot on his hands as well.

And the other nations have their problems to deal with. For years, the North and South water tribes have talked of Integration. Their access to the spirit portals give them an unprecedented mobility around the world and it has brought the two tribes ever closer to their eventual dream of coalescing into the Greater Water Nation, something that Avatar Korra was firmly against.

After Fire Lord Zoran's ascension to the throne, the Fire Nation has become increasingly isolationist. While not exactly antagonistic, Fire Nation has her borders tightly closed for anyone not born in the Fire Nation. Despite the Age of Information that we are living in, the Fire Nation continues to be an enigma, as few can know for certain what goes on in the island nation.

The Air Nation, after a century of rebuilding, is back to its original strength. Monk Jinora, Avatar Aang's granddaughter, is the current head of the Air Nation. The Air nomads now constitute the International Peacekeeping Force and stay away from internal national politics. They negotiate disputes between the nations, strive to keep the spirits in check, and are responsible for protecting the Swamp and Spirit Wilds from poaching.

Times are particularly perilous right now because of Avatar Korra's death. We all know that the avatar is born again somewhere, most likely in the Earth territories. But he or she will be an infant, incapable of rising up to any challenge. Historically, conflicts often flare up within years of an Avatar's passing away. If history were to repeat itself, the world will have to look for other heroes to save the day.

[h2]Character Creation Rules[/h2]

The RP will be largely set in Republic City. So your character must start there but can be from anywhere. There is an overarching plot to this RP involving the White Lotus, but I don't want to reveal it now. 

No canon characters are allowed, but you can be related to one if you wish. You are, however, prohibited from playing them even as NPCs. Please refer to the appendix for the fate of canon characters and where they are now.

Please give a detailed bio of your character, including:
Name
Age
Gender
Physical Description (no pictures please)
Backstory
Bender/Non-bender
NOTE: If bender, please mention element. Fire bender are allowed lightning bending. Earth bender can also wish to choose metal or lava bending, but understand that metal benders are usually associated with the Police while lava benders are so incredibly rare that they are bound to be SOMEbody. Water benders can choose to be blood benders, but remember that it is illegal to practice blood bending in any of the nations. Combustion Bending is also available, but it means you will have a third eye.

[h2]Appendix[/h2]
[h3]Fate of Canon characters[/h3]

[b]Avatar Korra[/b] - She died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 118, after having lived a full life surrounded by her friends and family. Apart from the Avatar Park in Republic City that is dedicated to her, Korra also has a memorial in the Temple of Raava. Korra and Asami's relationship eventually blossomed and they were married. This also indirectly led to a more open outlook on sexuality across the world, although the Fire Nation still clings to archaic notions of matrimony.

[b]Asami Sato[/b] - Asami died of natural causes at the age of 102. She was a highly successful entrepreneur and champion of industry, helping to rebuild Republic City after the Day of the Colossus. Future Industries became synonymous with technology and they grew from strength to strength. Their only serious competition was Varrick Industries, and the two eventually reached agreements regarding market sharing.

[b]Mako [/b]- Mako, after eventually rising to the position of Chief of Police, was killed during a raid of an Equalist cell, at the age of 65. Needless to say, his death was swiftly avenged by the Avatar and the Police Force, and he remains, to this day, a legend in the history of Republic City. He was instrumental in bringing benders other than metal benders into the police force, and also helped form the Chi-blocker Brigade.

[b]Bolin [/b]- After a brief stint in the police force, Bolin returned to his first love, Probending. He was instrumental in reviving the sport and giving it the reach that it deserved. Today, Probending is an international sport with its own numerous variations. But the Republic City leagues still draw the highest viewership. Bolin currently is a rich and content old man living out his final years with his wife Opal in Zaofu.

[b]Jinora [/b]- Avatar Aang's granddaughter, Monk Jinora, is a legend in her own right. With the help of Avatar Korra, she finally brought peace to the nexus of spirit and human worlds. The Human-Spirit Friendship Treaty is a testament to her great achievement as a spiritual leader and she now leads the Air Nation to their rightful place as benevolent guardians of the balance. She currently lives in the Eastern Air Temple, but can be frequently seen in Republic City to discuss matters with the President or to commune with the portal.

Note: More canon character stories will be added as the universe develops, and you can contribute to it too. But it is safe to assume that anyone who was an adult in Legend of Korra is now long gone.
[h3]Cult of Raava[/h3]
Ever since Avatar Korra revealed the origins of the Light spirit, there have been many people, particularly among the air acolytes, who believed that Raava was the world's salvation. While this was initially a personal faith that helped individuals get by their daily lives, it soon became a cult, and then a movement. With increasing inequality among the rich and the poor, and among benders and non-benders, and sometimes even among benders, the situation was ripe for the Cult of Raava to establish itself as the most inclusive path to salvation.

As much as it sounds like a chilling echo of the Equalist movement (especially when the central tenet of this 'religion' is called the Revelation), the Cult of Raava is largely a peaceful organization that borrows several ideas from Air nomad philosophy. Followers of this movement are expected to show respect to spirits, abstain from dark thoughts or violence, and spend life in contemplation of the Light spirit. But like any popular movement, the Cult became quite powerful and influential, counting some of the richest men and women among its members. The current CEO of Varrick Industries, Iknik Jr., is one of the Cult's most notable members and he helped build the first Temple of Raava.

As part of the Human-Spirit Friendship Treaty signed by Monk Jinora with representatives of the spirit world, ordinary humans were allowed to enter the spirit world through any of the portals for one day of the year, to coincide with the Spirit Festival. During this day, no spiritual harm will befall the humans in the spirit world. Several important events happen on this day, such as the Water Passage ritual held by the north and south Water tribes. Since the advent of the Cult, thousands of cultists use this day to gather around the Tree of Time and meditate, or chant Raava's name. This is now an annual pilgrimage and serves as a rite of passage for new acolytes of the Temple. Incidentally, the word 'cult' is considered derogatory when talking to a Raava cultist. They prefer the term Temple and acolytes of the Temple.