The North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth and a site of great spiritual importance to the Northern Water Tribe. Located at the center of the pole is an ancient forest containing a portal to the Spirit World, which was reopened by Avatar Korra in 171 AG.[1]
History[]
Millenia before the Hundred Year War, on the eve of Harmonic Convergence, Vaatu traveled to the North Pole in order to cross over to the Spirit World and battle Raava for the fate of the world. After the battle ended in Raava and Wan's favor, the latter sealed the portal, preventing any human from physically traveling to the Spirit World and freeing Vaatu.[2]
During the lifetime of Avatar Roku, an outpost in the North Pole was besieged by dark spirits. Renegade warrior Kapena wanted to be the one to free the outpost and she sought help to be able to do it ahead of the warriors officially sent from the North and prove that women were just as capable of being warriors as men.[3]
After abducting Aang from the Spirit Oasis during the Siege of the North in 100 AG, Zuko sought refuge in the tundras of the North Pole, where he was eventually found by a search party consisting of Katara, Sokka, Yue, and Appa. Following a short battle between Zuko and Katara, in which the latter swiftly defeated the firebender, the group left the tundra to aid in defending the Northern Water Tribe from Zhao and his forces.[4]
Decades after the end of the Hundred Year War, Yakone frequently brought Noatak and Tarrlok deep into the arctic tundra, under the guise that they were going on hunting expeditions. In reality, he revealed his true identity as a crime lord from Republic City and forced his children to learn the art of bloodbending by practicing on wild fauna, including yaks and wolves.[5]
Following the outbreak of the barbarian invasion in 151 AG, a small fighting force consisting of warriors and waterbenders led by General Tonraq launched a counterattack against the barbarians, overwhelming the invasion force and subsequently forcing them to retreat into the harsh tundras of the North Pole.
Tonraq's men had to escort the captured barbarians from the spirit forest in the North Pole.
The marauders fled to the nearby spiritual forest per Unalaq's advice, under the belief that the warriors would not attack on sacred grounds. However, this was not the case, and the barbarians were swiftly defeated by Tonraq's men, who managed to subdue the invasion force with the use of waterbending. The confrontation resulted in the flooding of the spirit forest, and several spirits attacked the Northern Water Tribe in retaliation at the destruction of their home. The angered spirits were pacified by Unalaq, however, who guided them back into the forest.[6]
Two years after the insurrection of the Red Lotus, a still emotionally scarred Korra traveled to the North Pole in order to enter the Spirit World and visit the Tree of Time via the northern portal.[7]
Description[]
The North Pole is frequently subject to harsh, intolerable blizzards that make it virtually uninhabitable.
A massive stretch of arctic tundra covers most of the North Pole. The inland tundra is mostly mountainous and inhabited by diverse fauna. The valleys of arctic mountain ranges also host small settlements, such as Yakone's village.[5]
In contrast, the coastal arctic plains are highly treacherous. Only skilled arctic hunters travel on the open plains, but only stay for short periods of time. Heavy winter blizzards constantly pelt the tundra, and unstable ice sheets often give way under the slightest pressure. Even experienced waterbenders and warriors think twice before venturing into this environment.[8]
An ancient forest containing a portal to the Spirit World is located in the center of the North Pole, which can be opened during the solstices by the Avatar. Although the portal remained sealed until 171 AG, strong spiritual energy in the North still prompted spirits to dance in the skies, causing the celestial phenomenon known as the northern lights. The spirit forest also remained completely thawed until 151 AG, providing a sharp contrast to the surrounding tundras, which remain largely intolerable even to locals acclimated to polar conditions.[4]
Fauna[]
Notable figures[]
- Amon (formerly, as Noatak)
- Tarrlok (formerly)
- Yakone
- Yakone's wife
Trivia[]
- The trees within the sacred forest were based on bristlecone pine trees, some of the oldest organisms on Earth.[9]