Siege of Shen Guan

The siege of Shen Guan was a series of Fire Nation attacks on the fortress town of Shen Guan near Omashu in late 99 AG. The Fire Nation forces, led by Captain Masaru, first laid siege to the main garrison manned by Earth Kingdom troops and then captured or attacked the surrounding camps. However, their plan was foiled by the timely intervention of Team Avatar which helped the Earth Kingdom forces of Captain Boqin to turn the tide of battle. After the Avatar's depature, however, Fire Nation renewed its assault, and eventually succeeded in capturing the stronghold. Boqin and some of his troops escaped, however, and continued to resist the Fire Nation by launching guerrilla attacks around Shen Guan.
== Background ==
In course of the Hundred Year War, the Fire Nation was able to successfully conquer many Earth Kingdom cities and provinces. Eventually, most of the western Earth Kingdom was under occupation, with Omashu remaining as the last great Earth Kingdom stronghold in the area. However, some regional military fortresses also remained under Earth Kingdom control, most notably General Fong's fortress and Shen Guan.
After ascending the throne, Fire Lord Ozai made the conquest of Omashu one of his main priorities.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 124. The Fire Nation military followed his orders and began to plan Omashu's takeover, advancing ever closer to the great city and gradually closing its supply routes.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 62.
== Siege ==
=== First Fire Nation assault ===
By winter 99 AG, a Fire Army contingent led by Captain Masaru had encircled Shen Guan. The Fire Nation forces included at least one tundra tank as well as some artillery. The Earth Kingdom garrison sent a messenger, ordering him to sneak through enemy lines to request outside aid. However, he was ambushed and wounded; though able to escape, the messenger collapsed in the nearby Montane Woodlands. There, he was found by Aang, Katara, and Sokka, who were on their way to Omashu. After learning about the garrison's situation, Team Avatar decided to intervene.
Meanwhile, Captain Masaru approached Shen Guan's walls and called for the garrison commander, Captain Boqin, to surrender to avoid further fighting and suffering. Boqin rebuffed the request, whereupon Masaru ordered his forces to assault the surrounding Earth Kingdom camps. Not long after, Aang flew into Shen Guan with his airbender staff; however, his request to provide aid was turned down by Boqin who believed that the boy was a mere child.
Turned down by the main garrison, Team Avatar subsequently decided to instead assist the outlying camps. However, the local Earth Kingdom troops occasionally mistook them for Fire Nation spies or troops, resulting in several friendly fire cases. Regardless, Team Avatar was able to evict Fire Nation troops from the nearby coal mine, capture a large Fire Nation siege trebuchet (which had been intended for an attack on Shen Guan) and use it to destroy the tundra tank, liberate a supply post, and provide medicine to local Earth Kingdom military infirmary. As they enjoyed some success against the Fire Nation troops at the camps, however, Masaru launched his main attack on the fortress town which came close to falling.
Captain Boqin sent a messenger to the infirmary, asking them to send anyone who was able to help defend the fortress. The commander of the infirmary, having seen Team Avatar's capabilities, then asked them officially for aid. He assured them that he would vouch for them, allowing them to gain Boqin's trust. Thus, Team Avatar joined the garrison's defense, leading a counterattack alongside Boqin. After hard fighting, the allies faced Masaru and his retinue. The Fire Nation officer again pleaded with them to surrender, arguing that Shen Guan would fall one way or another, but Boqin again refused to listen. In the following clash, the Earth Kingdom soldiers and Team Avatar prevailed, forcing Masaru to order a retreat.
Soon after, the Avatar and his friends left to continue their journey, with Boqin assuring them that he could hold the fortress town, having already requested reinforcements from Omashu. The Earth Kingdom defensive success proved only temporary, however, as the Fire Army returned soon after just as Masaru had promised.
=== Fall of Shen Guan ===
Captain Masaru and his troops regrouped in the Montane Woodlands and received reinforcements, namely a team of elite soldiers. Soon after, their scouts reported that the Avatar had left the area. Masaru subsequently renewed his assault. He used his main force to blockade the way from Omashu, preventing Earth Kingdom troops from reinforcing Shen Guan. Meanwhile, the Fire Nation elite soldiers retook the outposts around the fortress town before securing the pathways to Shen Guan itself.
Having learned of these new attacks, Boqin ordered his earthbending soldiers to dig a tunnel network in the area. Once Fire Army contingent's preparations were complete and the stronghold fully encircled, Masaru ordered another direct attack on Shen Guan. However, he walked into Boqin's trap who emerged from his newly built tunnel network to ambush the advancing Fire Nation soldiers. Masaru barely avoided capture or death, and then furiously ordered his men to retaliate. Even though the Earth Kingdom garrison fought bravely, this time the Fire Army overwhelmed them and broke into the fortress. Boqin and a number of his followers managed to escape, however, much to Masaru's frustration.
== Aftermath ==
After seizing Shen Guan, the Fire Army worked on securing the area. In this they were frustrated by Boqin and the remnants of the Earth Kingdom garrison who began to wage a guerrilla campaign against the occupiers, using their tunnel network to strike Fire Nation weakpoints. Masaru consequently asked his elite soldiers to deal with the issue. Boqin's remaining forces eventually left the area around Shen Guan, and relocated to help rebels to capture a Fire Nation prison rig in the Mo Ce Sea.
With Shen Guan under Fire Nation control, the Fire Army kept advancing toward Omashu, finally capturing the city in early 100 AG.
== Appearances ==
=== Video games ===
* Avatar: Generations
== References ==
Category:A to Z
Category:Events
Category:Hundred Year War