Earthbending instructor
”Those who wander aren't always lost.”
Full NameShailesh Durjaya
NicknamesThe WandererAge25
GenderMale
SexualityHeterosexual
AbilitiesThe world has been progressing further and further, and with change to the world comes change to the bending arts. Many youths do not even the original style of Earthbending, instead replaced by the fast paced nature of pro-bending. While this change did bring about more maneuverability and hence making them as agile as other benders, it also took away the user's firepower. Shailesh was more of a traditionalist, heeding to the old philosophy of earthbending, however that's not to say that he was hardheaded enough not to weave the new techniques of the world onto his own bending. Other than that, he is a patient man, listening and waiting at one moment, but attacking with no hesitation or uncertainty in the next. This was the core principal and spirituality of Earthbending, as if one were to lack the will to bend earth, then it will not bend at all.
From a youthful age, Shailesh discovered the intricacies of Seismic sense, which allowed him to sense vibrations reverberated in and on the earth. With his sight, and this sense, it is almost impossible to sneak up on him- save for airborne attacks. He uses his feet and bostaff to feel the vibrations from the earth (sometimes his arms and other parts of his body), and act accordingly. Since he had developed his seismic sense since he was a young boy, it is acute, being able sense small animals from far distances, recognize familiar faces by how much force they stomped the floor and their general gesticulation.
Other than that, he is a skilled Anthropologist, he has an extremely keen interest on humans of the past and present. He wants to understands complexity of mankind, the cultures of past benders; such as the Sandbenders. Shailesh can usually be found wandering all over the globe, literally unearthing artifacts of old, examining and studying them to try and piece together a sort of puzzle, since Anthropology draws from current and known knowledge and tries to add on to it. He tries to understand the underlying causes of disagreements and dissents that leads to and ignites/sparks a full blown war. However he also tries to find the origins of bending, as that is a question echoed by man throughout the ages. His achievements have been recognized by the White Lotus, linking and connecting the past and the present a little at a time.
Fighting StyleAs an Earthbender, Shailesh can usually be found rooted onto the floor, rarely leaving its inviting presence- only doing so to weave out of the way of attacks. People who have fought against or alongside him has stated that he exuded the suffocating aura of an unmoving mountain who's will does not falter to anyone. His usage of his bostaff is close to mastery- an extension of his arm that he uses to bend the earth around him in a farther range and even block attacks. He attacks with tactics in mind, trying to exploit weaknesses of bending styles.
Physical AppearanceShailesh stands at a little above average height, he has the usual build befitting of an earthbender, having a muscular and slender physique. It would not cross many people's mind that he is actually an earthbender, his visage having more of a semblance to his mother than father. This was because only his father was an earthbender whilst the other was a non-bender. His hair is a messy-blue draping down onto his almost porcelain like skin. However it was only his face the remained unblemished, his hands were shown to be calloused and rough, and scars could be find eskewn all over his body. His stride is shown to be slow and ponderous, unlike the present where everyone is in a rush to be somewhere, Shailesh takes his time to fully immerse and enjoy the scenery and the world before him. One of the things that stands out are his eyes, a cold shade of blue that seem to look through you, his icy stare have given people chills in the past. His most consistent wardrobe is his robes, that has accompanies him for many of his travels however it's age is beginning to show through it's tatters and worn out blemish.
Equipment and Personal BelongingsA handy bostaff, and a ring he wears around his neck from his mother and father.
GoalHe wants to successfully unearth (heh) the history of humankind, benders and non-benders alike, at the end of it all he wants to have written a concise and detailed book of the origins of humans.
SecretHe has not mastered Metalbending to it's full limit, he barely is able to do it and causes him to go very red when others see him try and fail. He knows many accomplished Earthbenders much like him that can easily Metalbend, so he thinks this is an ignominious topic- when it really shouldn't
HabitsHolding onto his Bostaff whenever he is traveling or walking, and if he is found without it he is shown to be slightly confused and bewildered. Other than that, if a person has shown even slight interest in the intricacies of the humankind- or anything related to anthropology, he will give converse with them hours on end about it, much to the dismay of others. In times of contemplation he plays a windflute he acquired from one of the air nomads whilst visiting.
OtherWants to master Metalbending.
Likes o A Journey
o Tasting different foods all over the earth
o Conversation (usually regarding anthropology/earth bending)
o Spars
Dislikes o Fast paced nature of the world
o His feet seperated from earth
o Anyone who disturbs his excavations with no purpose
Strengths o Strategical and Tactical
o Skilled Anthropologist
o Earthbending
Weaknesses o Lacks social experience due to travelling (eg. will tell others when something disinterest him)
o Lacks Tact- mostly in formality
o Doesn't easily forgive
o Lacks confidence in conversations
PersonalityKnown to be amiable and easy-going during conversation, many know him to be soft spoken and a patient man. He almost always tries to listen to others trying to talk to him in a considerate way, and will only impart his advice is asked to do so. Basically he listens alot and can be an outlet for a few of his people- well that is if they can get comfortable around him as he himself is very lacking in social experience, but some can get congenial around him. Shailesh is usually the last to talk, because he does not believe his words to be of much worth- unless it is about anthropology or anything similar to it like archaeology where he will blow up in your face in his excitement and wide eyed wonder.
He almost has no sense of humour, replying to rhetorical questions or jokes in a straightforward and almost naive nature. This can be found as a source of laughter itself as he replies in a deadpan and serious tone.
A trait he inherited in-lieu his earthen brethren is his love of a spar. He likes to improve his own earthbending through a good, friendly and fair fight. It is one of the ways he can practice his bending and not let it deteriorate. Shailesh had fought a variety of different benders in his travels, with each and everyone adding to the rich culture and customs of the world, making his love for anthropology even stronger. However he has a distaste towards spars that are obviously tipped on one of the fighters, but can see the value in it as the weaker adversary can, and will improve from fighting stronger opponents.
Brief HistoryShailesh was born on one of the outer cities, but was still within the republic nations. He was born under an earth bender, and a non bender- with him inheriting his father's gift. Both his parents were anthropologist, both good in their own right. They instilled the love and tranquility of said thing within Shailesh. They would always let him tag along their excavations and meetings, with Shailesh even assisting his father when need be. While they weren't the most wealthy family they were a happy one. They made just enough from it to live a normal life, albeit slightly teetering on poverty a few times.
At a young age, Shailesh himself has shown talent- he was on and off trained by one of his father's fellow anthropologist. While just being given the basics, he was shown to easily grasp it's intricacy and working very quickly, and at the height of his training he could use 'Seismic sense' to a very limited degree. This was extremely surprising towards his 'mentor', whom Shailesh had already surpassed in skill. His 'mentor' could really not teach him anymore, so he steeled to be self-taught, reading up books on the traditional earth bending and even some excerpts of the old 'Toph Beifong' whom he took the most inspiration from. His parents did try and hire some Earthbenders to teach him, but most would grow jealous of his prowess and speed at absorbing information that most would quit or have nothing left to teach him.
When he became 16, he wanted to travel the world, and his parents allowed him so because they themselves instilled the sense of wonder and awe within him. The reason why is to further anthropology that became limited to the place he lived in. He lived a nomadic life of bare-minimum necessities, and while his parents would try to send funds whenever they could, Shailesh would usually try and scrounge up money by himself somehow. Either by protection of a caravan from bandits or from working part-time, even participating in pro-bending sometimes or some other method, he would always usually find a way.
Throughout his travels he had met users of earthbending, many a master in their own right, all of whom had their own rhythm and style towards their mastered art. Some would take him under their tutelage for the short while he was there, and this did indeed help in mastery of his own style of bending. But others scoffed him away, but would almost accept a duel/challenge, which, in and of itself, is teaching in it's own right. In this way his own earthbending is very odd and peculiar, adhering towards the traditional earthbending but very different in it's own right. Finally, his skill in the usage of staves, in particular the Bostaff, took a total of 8 years before he could use the staff as an extension of himself, hence using to it's full potential. He also furthered his knowledge of Anthropology throughout his travels, sucking in knowledge from people all over the globe, gladly listening to their tales and history, and even excavating abandoned sites by himself. He would usually meet scavengers and bandits trying to profit off of the old artifacts but if Shailesh was there he would deal with them post haste.
He had come into contact with the White Lotus a few times, having heard of his odd mastery of earthbending and his adept knowledge of Anthropology he became a, albeit reluctant, member of the White Lotus. And in recent times, he was called on to become the instructor of the avatar. He was not given a say in it, and was initially puzzled as to why he was given the role, he is humble enough to admit/believe that he himself is not the best earthbender in the world as there are many more better than he is. However he now begins his travel back to the Earth kingdom to meet the Avatar, and try and teach him/her to the best of his ability. Maybe he'll stop by to meet his family first.
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AzureKnight,
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