Yuyan Archers

The Yuyan Archers are a group of elite, highly skilled Fire Nation archers. Since at least 91 AG, they were under Colonel Shinu's command, and used to guard the Pohuai Stronghold. The Yuyan Archers were used for very stealthy missions where precision and accuracy were vital for success, and they were one of the Fire Nation's secret weapons.
== History ==
=== Possible origins ===
An exiled Fire Nation archer named Jujinta became a companion to Avatar Yangchen, who had been forbidden from using his bow. While fighting alongside Kavik in a warehouse in Jonduri, he declared that "a Yuyan does not miss". His precise relationship with the Yuyan Archers or the later Yuyan family is unknown. From one of her past lives, Yangchen understood the importance of the rituals Jujinta followed, such as his scoured nose, his penitent rituals, and his self-imposed exile.
Shortly after the coronation of Fire Lord Sozin, a woman known as Uzuku Yuyan was considered one of the most legendary archers and markswomen ever to have lived. She transformed archery into an artform, and received patronage from nobles across the Fire Nation who wanted to learn her techniques. Uzuku began to face pressure to share her incredible skills with the Fire Nation. Some wanted her as one of the nation's deadliest agents, while others wanted her to teach new archers her skills.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 44.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 49.
=== Service for the Fire Nation ===
Prince Ozai hired a Yuyan Archer, Vachir, to track down and kill Ikem, the former lover of Princess Ursa, having heard of the group's great skill in archery. However, Vachir failed to find Ikem, and as a result, Ozai dismissed him and told him to turn his resignation to Colonel Shinu.
In the winter of 100 AG, Commander Zhao approached Shinu, seeking to use the Yuyan Archers to help him capture the Avatar. After being turned down, a messenger hawk came to Zhao, carrying a letter informing him that he had been promoted, and was now an Admiral. This put him above Shinu, thus allowing him to take control of the archers and employ them in his hunt for Aang. When the archers discovered the Avatar, Aang's extreme agility was matched by their expert aim. Outnumbered and simultaneously trying to collect frozen wood frogs in order to cure Katara and Sokka of fever, Aang could not resist the group and was consequently captured. One archer was later instructed to incapacitate the Blue Spirit.
The Yuyan Archers continued to operate after the Hundred Year War and into the lifetime of Avatar Korra, during the non-interventionist period of the Fire Nation's reconstruction.Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 158.
== Trivia ==
* Their uniforms, especially the short jackets and poofy pants, resemble Zouave uniforms from the American Civil War, which in turn were inspired by 19th century French Zouave uniforms which also were widely imitated by forces of other nations in the 19th century.
* The small triangle that is present on Yuyan head bands, and also on Lo and Li's hair bands, is the alchemical symbol for fire.
* All Yuyan Archers bear a dark red tattoo that runs across their eyes, identifying them as current or former members of the elite group.
* The bows used by the Yuyan Archers are composite bows.
== References ==
== See also ==
* Military of the Fire Nation
* Organizations in the World of Avatar
de:Yu Yan Bogenschützen
es:Arqueros Yuyan
fr:Archers Yuyan
he:קשתי היו יאן
nl:Yuyan boogschutters
pl:Łucznicy Yuyan
pt-br:Arqueiros Yu Yan
ru:Лучники Юян
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Category:Fire Nation
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Category:Military
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