☯ 1. The barrier has fallen and the entirety of the Avatar world is open for exploration. If you're going to the Water Tribes, the Earth Kingdom or any of the Air Temples, you might have a few days to travel. Stuck on a boat, airship or flying bison; yeesh! Those headed to the Fire Nation have the option of taking an ominous-looking portal located on Air Temple Island which will zip them straight there! No matter the destination, the population of each nation seems a little... thinned out.
☯ 2. Do you have an OU counterpart somewhere? Does that counterpart have some kind of bending-related ability? Then today is your lucky today! Gone are the days of bending (or non-bending); today, you get the powers your OU counterpart has! Alternatively, you thought you were out of the woods when everyone else had their bending messed up; not so anymore!
☯ 3. The city is in desperate need of vigilantes. Maybe. Vandals are ruining the city. Some are destroying property while others are making inappropriate graffiti on the walls and streets of the city.
☯ 4. Fresh off the boat? You know, now that all the barriers have dropped? Well you better find yourself a place to live and a place to work; otherwise you might as well make yourself home in Avatar Korra Park or ask for help on Air Temple Island.
[Sometimes it takes a while for Oobleck to notice things. When he does finally notice the strange garb his first thoughts are where the heck did this guy get all these antiques oh sweet mercy look at all the historical significance. The possibility that this guy stole them briefly crosses his mind before he immediately admonishes himself for allowing ingrained societal biases created by the parents of his usually rich students to affect his judgement. Particularly when this stranger clearly holds a disdain for theft.]
What violent events?! Why, why, not knowing about current events prevents you from understanding the social climate in not only Republic City, but the world! How can you hope to aid others without a proper understand-
[There is a split-second pause.]
it suddenly occurs to me mid-sentence that the news I am about to tell you likely affects you emotionally and personally. I was referring to the recent civil war between the Northern and Southern water tribes.
[Oobleck doesn't even seem to register the steps close, since he's more focused on a) HISTORRYYYYYYYYY, b) how does this guy not know about this, and c) how can he explain this to someone who appears to be very tied up in loyalty.]
Actually, there is a great deal of reason from both sides of the argument in order to wage war. With the chaos and destruction of the Hundred Year War, the Southern Water Tribe had sent most of their able-bodied men into battle! Sources suggest that only one man remained in the village: United Council member Sokka. But that's largely irrelevant! No, with the loss of a chief in their village, the Southern Water Tribe was in great need of an authority to keep the village running smoothly. Following the Siege of the North, many Northern Water Tribe members immigrated to the Southern Water Tribe to aid their brethren and reestablish a connection!
Unfortunately, and fairly recently, the union between the two tribes eventually saw conflict. While the Northern Water Tribe felt a desire for centralization and aiding their Southern comrades, the Southern Water Tribe resented the control of what they felt were outsiders invading their territory. The resentment has been growing exceedingly for many years. Three years ago, a civil war broke out and eventually the Southern Water Tribe regained their independence and their own form of government.
[...Also spirit stuff, but even Oobleck can't help but think that launching into Unalaq's whole deal probably would make this easier to understand. So. Later part of the conversation for that]
[So much has changed, it makes Connor's head spin, but he tries to follow as much of that explanation as he can, nonetheless. He's relieved, too, that the south has managed to maintain their independence, so his anger abates a little.
When Oobleck is finished, he gives a hesitant reply.]
... Perhaps you will not believe me, but I was one of those from the Southern Tribe who joined the war against the Fire Nation. I was in the Earth Kingdom until I found myself in this city today... and the people here speak of times and events I have never even heard of.
[For someone that talks as much as Oobleck, that sure is a lengthy ten second pause. His mind is racing, trying to wrap his head around the words that spinned out of Connor's mouth and tumbled right into the doctor's ears.
Logically, it doesn't make sense. People don't just pop up from different time periods. Even considering the recent connection between humanity and the spirit world.
And yet. Even the most ignorant of rich, privileged students he ever taught know about the Water Tribe Civil War. Even the question "what violent events?" implies he didn't know about the many things going on in the world. And then there's the weapons. The war club and quiver of arrows could be easily accounted for, sure. But the blade. That design was definitely not from any craftsmen of the past three decades and it would be doubtful to have come from the any of the previous fifty years. The style was pure, imperialistic Fire Nation, not a single sign of the artistic changes that took place during Fire Lord Zuko's rule.
This was very interesting indeed. When he finally talks, its slightly slower than normal, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts coming from his own head.]
...I had heard rumors that the spirit vines had been bringing people old and new into Republic City during my absence. I had assumed they were mere fabrications, but its entirely possible... that you were one of the many people that the spirits brought into this city.
[Spirit vines? He must be talking about all the plant life that seems to be covering a lot of the city. Connor frowns at the explanation. So he's not the first this has happened to...]
But why would the spirits do that? I should be in my own time, fighting the war, not surrounded by this. [He gestures at the enormous buildings, the passing satomobiles.] It is madness.
The actions of spirits rarely operate on any sort of logic humankind could comprehend. They've been particularly active in the current avatar's lifespan.
If its any consolation, the Hundred Year War finished many many many years ago. Avatar Aang soundly defeated Phoenix King Ozai. Furthermore, Ozai's son Zuko took the throne and spent the entirety of his rule as Fire Lord attempting to bring peace to the world and atone for the actions of his forefathers.
[Cliffnotes version because the guy is probably overwhelmed enough already.]
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rctimes2014-11-19 12:01 am
no subject
What violent events?! Why, why, not knowing about current events prevents you from understanding the social climate in not only Republic City, but the world! How can you hope to aid others without a proper understand-
[There is a split-second pause.]
it suddenly occurs to me mid-sentence that the news I am about to tell you likely affects you emotionally and personally. I was referring to the recent civil war between the Northern and Southern water tribes.
no subject
A civil war? That is madness! The Water Tribes may have been isolated from each other, but they have no reason to wage war!
Avatar history tl;dr
Actually, there is a great deal of reason from both sides of the argument in order to wage war. With the chaos and destruction of the Hundred Year War, the Southern Water Tribe had sent most of their able-bodied men into battle! Sources suggest that only one man remained in the village: United Council member Sokka. But that's largely irrelevant! No, with the loss of a chief in their village, the Southern Water Tribe was in great need of an authority to keep the village running smoothly. Following the Siege of the North, many Northern Water Tribe members immigrated to the Southern Water Tribe to aid their brethren and reestablish a connection!
Unfortunately, and fairly recently, the union between the two tribes eventually saw conflict. While the Northern Water Tribe felt a desire for centralization and aiding their Southern comrades, the Southern Water Tribe resented the control of what they felt were outsiders invading their territory. The resentment has been growing exceedingly for many years. Three years ago, a civil war broke out and eventually the Southern Water Tribe regained their independence and their own form of government.
[...Also spirit stuff, but even Oobleck can't help but think that launching into Unalaq's whole deal probably would make this easier to understand. So. Later part of the conversation for that]
no subject
When Oobleck is finished, he gives a hesitant reply.]
... Perhaps you will not believe me, but I was one of those from the Southern Tribe who joined the war against the Fire Nation. I was in the Earth Kingdom until I found myself in this city today... and the people here speak of times and events I have never even heard of.
no subject
Logically, it doesn't make sense. People don't just pop up from different time periods. Even considering the recent connection between humanity and the spirit world.
And yet. Even the most ignorant of rich, privileged students he ever taught know about the Water Tribe Civil War. Even the question "what violent events?" implies he didn't know about the many things going on in the world. And then there's the weapons. The war club and quiver of arrows could be easily accounted for, sure. But the blade. That design was definitely not from any craftsmen of the past three decades and it would be doubtful to have come from the any of the previous fifty years. The style was pure, imperialistic Fire Nation, not a single sign of the artistic changes that took place during Fire Lord Zuko's rule.
This was very interesting indeed. When he finally talks, its slightly slower than normal, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of thoughts coming from his own head.]
...I had heard rumors that the spirit vines had been bringing people old and new into Republic City during my absence. I had assumed they were mere fabrications, but its entirely possible... that you were one of the many people that the spirits brought into this city.
no subject
But why would the spirits do that? I should be in my own time, fighting the war, not surrounded by this. [He gestures at the enormous buildings, the passing satomobiles.] It is madness.
WHOOPS LATE
If its any consolation, the Hundred Year War finished many many many years ago. Avatar Aang soundly defeated Phoenix King Ozai. Furthermore, Ozai's son Zuko took the throne and spent the entirety of his rule as Fire Lord attempting to bring peace to the world and atone for the actions of his forefathers.
[Cliffnotes version because the guy is probably overwhelmed enough already.]