Fire Nation colonies

The Fire Nation colonies were an assemblage of Earth Kingdom and former Air Nomad territories that formed the core of the Fire Nation's continental empire. Prior to the end of the Hundred Year War, the colonies were inhabited and governed by a mixed population of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom citizens. The creation of colonies was one of the Fire Nation government's main targets during the war,Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Quickstart, Version 1.0, 2021, p. 5. and trade between the colonies and the Fire Nation homeland played a major economic role.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Quickstart, Version 1.0, 2021, p. 33.
After the Great War, newer settlements were dissolved in accordance with the Harmony Restoration Movement, although political complications resulted in the merging of the older colonies into the United Republic of Nations. 
== History ==
=== Rise of expansionism in the Fire Nation ===
After his coronation and finally uniting the Fire Nation under the throne once and for all, the ambitious Fire Lord Sozin began to dream of a global empire where he would unite the four nations under Fire Nation domination.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 49. This worldwide empire was intended to be prosperous and "share" the wealth and success the Fire Nation was enjoying during Sozin's rule.
The desire to expand the Fire Nation's reach was largely influenced by the new technological age, with the world on the brink of an industrial revolution. Materials were scarce for the Fire Nation's new coal-powered fleet, and some began to look beyond Fire Nation territory for resources.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 44. The Fire Nation considered the previously unclaimed Natsuo Island to be its territory after a large cache of ore was discovered there, but Earth King Jialun desired the island for himself and began to escalate tensions.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 55. The Water Tribe was shocked when the Fire Nation also claimed an island at the halfway point between the North and the South; Chief Skiri of the North was furious and was ready to send a majority of his fleet to reclaim the island, but many Southern chieftains were unwilling to start an all-out war with the Fire Nation.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 52.
Sozin subtly began propaganda campaigns against all other nationsAvatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 48.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 50. as conflicts over resources and land grew. After the volcano at Crescent Island erupted and there were many earthquakes in the surrounding regions, many Fire Nation people wanted to relocate, but found no room for new settlements on the densely populated Fire Islands. They blamed the Earth Kingdom for providing no aid or shelter to them, with Sozin's government fuelling their anger by pointing at the Earth King ruling over much unclaimed, empty land.
=== The first colonies ===
As time went on, Sozin's desire for world domination grew drastically, and his rule became increasingly dictatorial. Avatar Roku warned his long-time friend to not expand the Fire Nation, as the four nations were meant to be just four. However, Sozin disregarded Roku's warning and put his plans into motion by invading and successfully occupying Earth Kingdom territory. This first assault was short-lived; when Roku discovered the existence of the numerous Fire Nation colonies in foreign lands, he confronted Sozin about his course of action. The Avatar swiftly defeated the Fire Lord, though let him go in the name of their past friendship with a final warning that he would end his former friend's life if he continued his invasion plans. However, these first colonies, including Yu Dao, remained in the Earth Kingdom, growing and prospering over the following decades.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 56.
For twenty-five years, the world was at peace again, until a volcanic eruption brought an end to Roku's life to which Sozin realized his visions for the future were suddenly possible again. Sozin waited twelve years after Roku's death for the return of the Great Comet to commence his invasion of the other nations. He launched an genocidal attack on the Air Nomads, the native nation of the next Avatar, invaded the Earth Kingdom, and attacked the Water Tribes. This resulted in a century-long war.The Lost Scrolls: Water, Section "Introduction", in The Lost Scrolls Collection.
=== Hundred Year War ===
Some colonies were established in former Air Nomad land following their genocide. The temples were largely abandoned, though Fire Army units regularly patrolled the surrounding area, and became aware of any suspicious long-term activities at the temples.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 265.
Many colonies were established across the Earth Kingdom continent during the Hundred Year War, and their population steadily increased due to aggressive efforts in forcing citizens to leave for the Earth Kingdom. As Fire Nation forces encroached the Earth Kingdom's numerous territories, these colonies grew into prosperous settlements and supported the Fire Nation's war effort through the supplement of food and war supplies. Under Sozin's successor, Azulon, more colonies were set up, with the Earth Kingdom's Hu Xin Provinces being heavily colonized. Intense colonization efforts continued under Ozai during the war's last years. At the time, several Earth Kingdom villages were forced to either fight back against their attackers or rush to evacuate the people to the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se. However, not everyone was willing to leave their homes and lives behind, such as Governor Luk from a small village who, while figuring out the best course of action, desperately reached for a group of adventurers to help him.
Like most of the population back home, the Fire Nation colonists supported the war effort and were fed with the various forms of propaganda used to instill support with the front line troops. They often took advantage of living in the prosperous Earth Kingdom by depriving the indigenous of their resources and making them work on their behalf. At least once during Azulon's reign, however, an armed uprising erupted in several colonies, forcing the Fire Nation military to intervene.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Quickstart, Version 1.0, 2021, p. 31. By the late war, a unique culture and ethnically mixed population had emerged in many older colonies such as Yu Dao and the Hu Xin Provinces. In early 100 AG, Team Avatar secretly visited one colony. In the following summer, Commander Mamushi assembled a strong military force at one colony near Taku to search for an artifact.
=== Decolonization and independence ===
After the Hundred Year War ended, Zuko was crowned the new Fire Lord, and he announced an era of peace to begin, in which he would strive to restore the honor of the Fire Nation.
In order to restore peace and balance in the world, the Harmony Restoration Movement was launched with the aim of transferring the Fire Nation colonials back to their home nation. However, a year after the Hundred Year War's conclusion, new disputes arose over the existence of the colonies on Earth Kingdom territory and ignited fresh tensions with the Fire Nation, threatening to devolve into war between the two countries and civil war within the Fire Nation itself. The resulting outcry necessitated the intervention of Team Avatar on behalf of Fire Lord Zuko. Realizing that the conflict could never be truly solved, as the colonials were no longer Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation divided, though rather a new people, Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko abandoned the Harmony Restoration Movement. Instead, the colonies were led into autonomy by new coalition governments that were elected in 102 AG. Zuko and Kuei eventually signed the Treaty of Yu Dao to formalize the colonies' new status. Even though this agreement ensured peace, it left many Fire Nation as well as Earth Kingdom nationals dissatisfied with their rulers' performance.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 70.
The colonies consequently attracted many new immigrants from across the world seeking work and a better life. With the Treaty of Yu Dao, those former colonies could build upon their unique identities, and they became places of opportunity and hope to many throughout the four nations, including would-be business interests.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 7. Eventually, the colonies, along with the newly founded Cranefish Town and some Earth Kingdom territories, were transformed into the United Republic of Nations.
== Governance and security ==
The colonies were led by civil officials such as governors and mayors who were usually of Fire Nation descent. However, de facto control of many colonies actually rested with Fire Nation military officersAvatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 66. who led the local garrisons. Though some of these officers strove to be fair, many were "power-hungry warlords" who used their great autonomy from the homelands and the military to abuse their power and exploit the colonial population. However, the colonies' relative isolation from the Fire Nation also meant that rebels often found ample opportunity to maintain a local anti-occupation resistance.
== Culture and society ==
The culture of the Fire Nation colonies was one marked both by tolerance, cooperation, and the blending of peoples as well as deep divisions, infighting, and racial hatred. This was the result of how the reactions of Fire Nation colonists and Earth Kingdom natives to the colonization efforts differed from location to location and from individual to individual.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 56.
In general, the colonies were built to resemble what was known in the Fire Nation. As a result, Fire Nation colonists shared numerous similiarities with the inhabitants of the Fire Islands. In general, the colonists celebrated various cultural festivals, supported the war effort, were indoctrinated with government propaganda, and consumed traditional Fire Nation cuisine. Regardless of their ties to the homeland, the colonials were often belittled with disdain by citizens from the Fire Nation archipelago, which commonly resulted in unequal treatment. However, the culture was less tightly regulated than in the Fire Nation proper and as a result, colonists had greater freedom of expression. For instance, unlike mainlanders, the colonists were permitted to dance, and same-sex marriages were legal in at least some colonies.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 151. Despite these liberties, many colonists were unhappy with the state of their lives. Others, especially those who had been born in the colonies, felt a deep connection to their homes and even an affinity with Earth Kingdom natives.
On the other side, Earth Kingdom natives differed greatly in their view of the colonies, based on their status and political stance. In many colonies, including old ones like Yu Dao, social discrepancies between Fire Nation citizens and Earth Kingdom natives were widespread. Usually, Earth Kingdom citizens would occupy a second-class position in the city's society, while the higher positions were generally reserved for the Fire Nation residents. This social division led in many cases to an inequality in wealth among the citizens, leaving some people at the mercy and submission of the nobility's power. Economically, the people of the colonies were often exploited, with much of their hard-earned profits diverted to the Fire Nation.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Starter Set, Adventure Booklet, pg. 12. In several colonies, this inequality resulted in great suffering.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Quickstart, Version 1.0, 2021, p. 30. As a result, many Earth Kingdom natives in the colonies resented the Fire Nation migrants as occupiers, despising those of their compatriots who embraced and intermarried with the colonists. Other Earth Kingdom citizens opted for cooperation and successfully built a prosperous existence in the colonies, feeling more loyalty to the colonists than their home country. In fact, some of the richest families in the colonies were of Earth Kingdom descent.
Regardless of origin, those who were unhappy with their situation in the colonies often made life miserable for their neighbors by sabotaging their fields and goods, socially isolating them, and refusing trade. Despite these issues, the union between the settlers and locals became natural in many older colonies, giving rise to a new race of mixed Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom origin. People from different races often worked together in hopes of being more productive. The formation of families among people of different origins thus became one of the causes of the Harmony Restoration Movement's intermission to assess these situations in the colonies.
=== Cuisine ===
Similar to other cultural elements, the colonies also witnessed the blending of different Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation culinary styles.Avatar: The Last Airbender Cookbook: Official Recipes from the Four Nations, p. 53.Avatar: The Last Airbender Cookbook: Official Recipes from the Four Nations, p. 107. Compared to what was common in the Earth Kingdom, colonial cuisine was considered to be more sharply seasoned and to offer more seafood. However, colonial offerings were often much less spicy than the cuisine of the Fire Islands.
== Notable colonies ==
* Boat Bottom
* Fire Nation colonial village
* Hu Xin Provinces
* Ketu Harbor (naval base)
* Laoshan
* Sparrowkeet Station (located in the colonies, run by the private company Sparrowkeet Air)
* Taku Seaport
* Village resort
* West Heiatu
* Yu Dao
== Notable figures ==
* Guard captain
* Ho Tun
* Kori Morishita
* Lei (relocated)
* Malu
* Mayor Morishita
* Mosi
* Mayor Nishi
* Mrs. Morishita
* Penga
* Rose (relocated)
* Sato family
* The Dark One
== Trivia ==
* The establishment of Fire Nation colonies in former Air Nomad territories, fully confirmed by Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game in 2022, was first mentioned by the manga in 2010. However, the status of Zuko's Story regarding the series' canon is dubious.
== References ==
== See also ==
* Earth Kingdom
* Fire Nation
* United Republic of Nations
* Migration in the World of Avatar
de:Kolonien der Feuernation
es:Colonias de la Nación del Fuego
fr:Colonies de la Nation du Feu
id:Koloni Negara Api
pl:Kolonie Narodu Ognia
ru:Колонии Народа Огня
Category:A to Z
Category:Air Nomads
Category:Earth Kingdom
Category:Fire Nation
Category:Locations
Category:Settlements