The History

[Ataru]

This game is set around 100 years after the events portrayed in the Avatar series.

After a generation old hatred was laid to rest and the three remaining elemental nations began to mix freely one with another. The art of airbending was re-introduced and all four types of bending became a common sight in all countries. Peace was had by and large on the face of the planet.

However, with the death of Avatar Aang and the birth of a new Avatar; this one a descendant of the Water Tribe, the chain of peace was broken. In Ba Sing Se conflict arose between the Dai Li, who were gathering intelligent and inventive benders to their cause, and the Order of the White Lotus. Both struggled for control of the city, which was a central gathering place for all the nations. The ensuing civil war tore Ba Sing Se apart from within until the leader of the White Lotus realized he was at a disadvantage fighting within the city the Dai Li had always been guardians of. So, instead, he led his followers on an exodus away from the great city, heading southwest. The civil war and flight that followed became known as the Exodus War.

Using Omashu as a new gathering point the leader of the White Lotus organized a country of his own. He named it Lotus, and called to all those who were scholars and inventors, thinkers and strategists. He also gathered those with physical prowess who fought as warriors without the aid of bending, as well as those benders who were seen as masters of their art.

In the meantime the remnants of the Dai Li made truces with the settlements all around them, creating their own country which they named 'Daichi' or 'The Great Earth'. Though many brave warriors also joined their cause, their main focus was on getting many benders who were inventive and creative. They hoped, among these benders, to find the Avatar and win him or her over to their side.

The great countries of Lotus and Daichi spread over most of the mainland as the great leaders of both nations used all their charisma and skill to attract loyalists. Finally a 2nd great war was fought in the land between Omashu and Ba Sing Se. This conflict came to be known simply as the War of the Lotus, though it is unknown which side actually initiated the conflict.

The War of the Lotus raged on for many years until the Avatar appeared. She ended the war first with power, and then with intelligent mediation. During the peace talks between Daichi and Lotus it was made plain that neither side really wanted to take the land of the other. The people of Lotus had felt threatened by the people of Daichi and were worried that they would try to come and take them back to Ba Sing Se, and the people of Daichi had feared that the people of Lotus would come and try to take Ba Sing Se from them. After both sides realized that the war was pointless they agreed to stop hostilities.

Many people, however, were unable to forgive the leaders of both Daichi and Lotus for starting such a great and pointless war. Anti-nationalist feelings ran high until finally both leaders were killed by protesters in their respective countries. The Avatar was greatly saddened by this, but she did her best to repair the situation afterward. In the place of single leaders she set up a council of Guilds that would regulate the economies of both countries. People would be free to join Guilds that best represented their interests and their Guild Leaders would vote on policies within the countries so that all would be fair for their members. Guilds were allowed to have friendly conflicts over stretches of land within the countries and for supremacy in the voting council. The more a Guild won their conflicts the more prestige and fame they would gather, thus making it easier for them to get new members and take control of key resources in their country.

Also, since both countries existed in very diverse regions free trade opened up between Lotus and Daichi. Guilds scrambled to make contracts with Guilds in the other country in order to have a good source of rare materials that could only be supplied by farmers and crafters on the other side of the border.

And so we come to today. Lotus and Daichi are the two main countries. They are both ruled over by a council of Guild Leaders who vote on national policy so that they can make things better and fair for the members of their Guilds. War has been done away with, though Guilds are allowed to fight against each other for goals such as land titles and resources. Technology has advanced quite a bit, so that now musket-type guns are in common use, as are railroads and airships. You could basically think of it as a steampunk setting, though remembering that the guns aren't quite that advanced.

As a player you will choose both which country you are from, and which Guild you belong to. Both choices are very important and it would be best to check around into which Guilds suit you best before asking to join one. Which country you pick will also decide which Guilds you will be able to choose from.