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BEYOND THE WILDS is set in the ATLA/LOK universe where there are those gifted with the art of bending. Bending is the ability to manipulate four physical elements, and is a significant aspect to the Avatar the last Airbender universe. The four elemental bending arts are based on the four classical elements, water, earth, fire, and air, and each is manipulated through certain martial art styles which are reminiscent of the qualities of the element itself, traditionally performed through the motions of one's hands and feet.

bending elements

the list of main bending elements

WATER: "Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribes are capable of adapting to many things. They have a sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

• Specialized Techniques: Bloodbending, Healing, Plant Bending

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EARTH: "Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring."

• Specialized Techniques: Lavabending, Metal Bending, Sand Bending

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FIRE: "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will and the energy and drive to achieve what they want."

• Specialized Techniques: Combustion, Lightning Bending

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AIR: "Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom."

• Specialized Techniques: Flight

Affinities

connection to the elements

To have an affinity, opens up the possibility of learning special bending elements; allowing a person to harness a rare talent. Specialized bending techniques are sub-skills that exist within each of the four bending elements, which only adept benders can take advantage of. Each sub-skill requires a different level of mastery over the root element from which it is derived, as its practice often deviates from conventional bending. In some cases, the execution of a technique also requires an understanding of fundamental principles from other bending arts.
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Affinities are normally passed through blood lines; generations of pure family genealogy, or descended from parents of two different elements.
[break][break]Affinities for specialized bending techniques open up at bending tier EXPERT, where a character may choose one from their root element to begin training. Their skill level in that new specialized technique would be considered novice. It is possible to choose a specialized bending technique outside of the root element, as long as it makes sense with your character. If you have questions about this, please contact staff.
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Inheritance

how elements relate to your character

Generally people can discern whether or not they are a bender before puberty. There are rare cases of people developing a sense of control over an element later in life, but its a foreign concept. An important known factor to determining the probability of a person inheriting bending capabilities is genetic history. Comparable to a recessive gene, bending can be discovered in children with two non-bending parents, just as it can be seen frequently with the opposite.
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It is speculated that ancestral ties to bending can lead towards an individual with stronger talent for the art, however genetics alone do not make up the proficiency of a bender. Mastery can be gained through conventional means such as training and hard work, putting them on level with those that have an aptitude for bending.

Other Skills

beyond the bending elements

Not everyone in the ATLA universe is a bender, and those that still wish to fight, find themselves becoming accustomed to the use of a weapon or other means of combat. Below are the two skills that characters can choose from instead of/and in combination of an element.
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• Weapon Mastery - a character can handle one to two weapons of choice; which must be described in the character application. Currently, no machinery weapons are allowed. No guns, no stun gauntlets, no electric prods, etc.
• Chi Blocking - Chi blocking is a skill that must be taught from another being. This must reflect in your character application, as chi blocking is not something a person can teach themselves.
• Beast Mastery - there are many different animals in the ATLA universe, and you have befriended one of them. No Dragons.
• Martial Arts - though bending and chi-blocking utilize martial arts, this skill differs from them. Utilized by those without bending, and perhaps by some that don't know chi-blocking.
• Spiritual Prowess - naturally attune with the spiritual world you are able to accomplish feats that normally are deemed impossible; Spiritual Projection, Spirit Bending

Mastery Tiers

strength of your character and what it means

Every new skill user, either at a young age, or just beginning to practice, --is less than adequate against a master. To properly gauge a character’s talent, B.T.W uses a tier system referred as the Mastery Tiers.
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Upon character creation, a player may list their character in either the novice, apprentice or adept tier’s; and through rping, can advance through the remaining. We ask that members are realistic in their selection, based on their character’s history. Some canon roles will allow characters to start at a higher tier relative to their background. Starting character tier is relative to the character being made; if you have questions concerning your character to be's abilities, please contact staff.
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NOVICE: A beginner in the practice. A novice shows sign of control in their skill, though it requires an immense amount on concentration. Over time, and with monotonous training, they can expect to see less and less mistakes, but are far from being classified as a fighter. At this tier, it is possible to use bending in forms of manual labor.
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APPRENTICE: Perseverance through either talent or hard work moves the novice a step higher. Actions that were previously too difficult to perform, are easier and require less mental effort. However, an apprentice lacks strength in their skill, and are poor in stamina in comparison to a more seasoned individual.
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ADEPT: An adept being holds command over their skill. Many variables are taken into consideration for the effect of their effort; such as size, power, and tactic. An adept being is likely no longer under tutelage, but cannot be considered a instructor themselves.
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EXPERT: Knowledge is power, and an expert has complete comprehension of their practiced skill. They know not only their element/skill, but also their own bodies and capabilities. An expert can attempt dangerous level actions with confidence, and likely succeed. Most experts are capable of teaching those lower in ability.
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MASTER: The difference between an expert and a master, is understanding. They look to other proficiencies to influence their own, making it unique and personalized to them alone. It is up to the Master if they wish to teach others the same.

Character Creation

choosing your skills and beyond

While many individuals of the ATLA universe are talented, not all of them are talented in EVERY skill. Created characters should stay realistic to this aspect, and to promote that, we have hard limit on the amount of skills a character can master. At most, your character may master up to TWO skills. I.E Bending Element and Weapon; or Bending Element and Special; or Weapon and Weapon etc. You do not have to choose these two skills when you create your character, but you are only able to use and master two skills in general.
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If you are playing a canon role, it is up to you to decide what tier you would like your character to start as. But keep a few things in mind; Not all Royalty are strong benders, and there are some that are non benders over all. A weak child princess would not be an expert water bender. Please keep it realistic or your app will be denied. You can always talk to staff about your desired tier and character idea beforehand.
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Dual elements are not allowed.

Thread Types

there are many different rp's to be had

It's no secret that there is an abundance of ways to RP with your characters; however B.T.W allows for members to have some heavy influence on the plot. To make sure that plot ideas and threads are not only noticed but discussed as well, we ask that members insert a [PLOT] tag in their thread names.
[break][break] Not every thread will be plot based, and otherwise you are free to insert a [OPEN], [CLOSED], [FB], or [AU] tag onto your threads.
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If you have ideas for events, plot movements, or even world-building concepts, feel free to contact staff!