First Blood

First Blood is a dangerous Na'vi rite, held only to settle the most serious disputes.
== Practice ==
First Blood involves two individuals engaging in a ritualistic battle. In order to win First Blood, all a contestant needs to do is draw blood on their opponent once: this can be from something as small as a cut with the tip of the knife, but more spiteful Na'vi may aim to damage their opponent severely, or even continue striking them after drawing blood to humiliate them to the audience.
First Blood is held only when a deep-seated dispute cannot be settled diplomatically, through discussion or compromise. The outcome of First Blood is binding: the winner's decision cannot be changed, argued against, or disputed. Because of this, invoking First Blood is incredibly rare and extremely dangerous. Only one instance of First Blood has been witnessed in the Avatar franchise, and it is unknown how many times it occurred before or since.
=== Preparation ===
The challenger of First Blood prepares themselves by applying the blood of an animal as war paint. After the rite is invoked, the clan gathers around a small arena, and the Tsahìk announces the terms of the fight. The two participants can seek council with their friends, family, or advisors before the battle begins.
== Role in the Avatar universe ==
Avatar: The Next Shadow focuses around the conflict arising from Jake Sully becoming Olo'eyktan of the Omatikaya clan following Tsu'tey's death. Arvok, by his parent's request, invoked First Blood against Jake; whomever won would be the new clan leader. Jake, who more experience in combat than Arvok, ultimately won the First Blood, twisting Arvok's arm and slashing him lightly with his knife. However, following his defeat, Arvok threw his knife at Jake not realizing it had been poisoned by his mother. Jake caught the blade in his hand, and was inadvertently poisoned, but later recovered.
== References ==
* Avatar: The Next Shadow issue #2
Category:Na'vi culture
pl:Pierwsza Krew
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