| "I found out the truth about my dad's banishment. Unalaq hired the barbarians to attack their tribe. Then he told them to hide in the spirit forest, knowing my dad would go after them." |
| — Avatar Korra, after learning the truth about the invasion.[1] |
The barbarian invasion was a plundering of Agna Qel'a, the Northern Water Tribe's capital, by barbarians in 151 AG, caused by Unalaq's secret scheme to usurp his brother's birthright.[1] Although the marauders managed to destroy a considerable portion of the tribe's capital, they eventually retreated following the arrival of General Tonraq and his men. However, their subsequent victory over the fleeing barbarians resulted in the destruction of a sacred spiritual forest at the North Pole, which led to Tonraq's banishment from the tribe.[2]
History[]
Prelude[]
Unalaq, second-born son of the Chief of the Water Tribes, desired to become chief, and in order to become heir, he plotted a scheme to remove his older brother, Tonraq, from the North. He hired the barbarians to attack Agna Qel'a and told them to hide in the spiritual forest of the North Pole, knowing Tonraq would pursue them, even if it meant destroying such a sacred place.[1]
Invasion[]
The barbarians eventually attacked in 151 AG, when Tonraq and his troops were not in the capital. After managing to overwhelm Agna Qel'a's defenders, the invaders began to rob and pillage the city. Unalaq relayed the news of an invasion to his brother, General Tonraq, who had already assembled a small fighting force in a village located outside Agna Qel'a. The general immediately gathered his men and launched a counterattack, overwhelming the barbarians and forcing them to retreat into the harsh tundras of the North Pole.
Tonraq's men escorted the captured barbarians out of the destroyed spirit forest.
The marauders were pursued by the Water Tribe forces and so they fled to a sacred spiritual forest, believing, as Unalaq had told them, that the Water Tribe warriors would not attack on sacred grounds. They were incorrect in their judgment, however, and were swiftly defeated by Tonraq's men, who managed to subdue the invasion force through waterbending. The confrontation resulted in the destruction of the forest, and all captured barbarians were brought back to the capital.[2]
Aftermath[]
Tonraq was banished from the North, making Unalaq's scheme a success.
Because of the forest's destruction, angry dark spirits attacked Agna Qel'a, almost resulting in its complete destruction. Unalaq managed to subdue the spirits by using a waterbending technique similar to healing, but infused with spiritual knowledge.
As it was Tonraq's actions that almost caused the North's destruction, the chief, his father, banished Tonraq from the North and revoked his birthright. As a result, Unalaq was granted what he had always desired and became next in-line for the tribal chiefdom. Tonraq subsequently traveled to the Southern Water Tribe to begin a new life.[2]
Twenty years later, it was revealed to Avatar Korra by Judge Hotah that the whole attack was a false flag operation instigated by Unalaq, as part of his plot to usurp his brother's birthright to the Water Tribe chiefdom.[1]
Appearances[]
The Legend of Korra[]
Book Two: Spirits (神靈)[]
- 202. "The Southern Lights" (flashback)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer) & Graham, Ian (director). (September 27, 2013). "Civil Wars, Part 2". The Legend of Korra. Book Two: Spirits. Episode 4. Nickelodeon.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hamilton, Joshua (writer) & Graham, Ian (director). (September 13, 2013). "The Southern Lights". The Legend of Korra. Book Two: Spirits. Episode 2. Nickelodeon.