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Triple Threats bully Chung

The Triple Threat Triad is the oldest and largest of the triads that operate in Republic City.

Crime syndicates termed triads,[1] less commonly called bending triads,[2] have operated in the United Republic of Nations, most importantly its capital, Republic City, since the state's foundation.[3] By Avatar Korra's lifetime, many triads are strong in numbers and highly influential,[1] exploiting the country's booming economy for their own gain.[2]

Overview[]

Triads in Republic City are traditionally dominated by benders, with many recruiting only one type of bender.[4][2][5] This policy further contributes to the social conflicts which affect Republic City, as the triads fuel rivalries between fire, water, and earthbenders.[2][5] Many syndicates even exclude nonbenders completely,[2] although some such as the Triple Threat Triad, the Terra Triad, and the Creeping Crystal Triad include a small number of nonbenders.[6][7][8] Nonbenders may even be common in the city's smallest triads, such as the Badgermole Triad or the Spider Cat Triad.[9]

While the triads are not a new concept, as there have been criminal organizations and bandit gangs all throughout the history of the world, the exact form of structured, organized criminal syndicates in direct competition for "territory" within the city, taking advantage of its bounty and complexity to grow and profit, is a mix that belongs exclusively to Republic City.[10]

Triads use their abilities to extort Republic City's denizens, especially those who are unable to bend the elements.[6][2] They may position themselves as a protection racket for small business, but some of the larger and more successful triads may also hope to intimidate larger corporations for a share of their profits.[11] Gangs often engage in turf wars[6][12] and act as hired muscles for those willing to pay them, be it businessmen, politicians, or extremist groups.[1][6][13][14] Triads may engage in their own business ventures, and are well-positioned to profit off illegal activities, such as the city's street racing culture.[15] Triads also may be involved in running businesses that are legal on the surface, such as gambling or sports betting, sometimes hoping to manipulate the results so that they can reap even greater profits.[16]

Triads often prey on the disadvantaged, recruiting them at young ages to create willing and capable fighters for future battles. Sometimes, a triad stands as a kind of family for its members, and it might even funnel some of its resources back into a local community, but nearly always, they take these actions out of a desire for long-term selfish gain.[10] Triad members live dangerous lives, as they are not just targeted by law enforcement, but also rival triads. In addition, many triads suffer from often violent internal disputes and power struggles.[1]

The conflict between the triads and the police flares up and quiets down at different points across the city. It is not defined by constant struggle, so much as period flashpoints, particularly when a triad begins to act too overtly or openly. So far, the police have not been able to eliminate the triads, and the triads have not been able to utterly subvert the police, but their struggle is likely to continue for many years to come.[10]

Known triads in Republic City[]

Trivia[]

  • Triads are real-world criminal syndicates originating from China that can trace their origins back to anti-Qing secret societies, although many people erroneously use the term "triad" to refer to any Chinese organized crime group.
  • Triads have also existed in the Earth Kingdom,[25] but the only of these whose origin is known, the Triad of the Golden Wing, emerged from the ancient daofei, differing from the United Republic crime groups.[26]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 83.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 From older Welcome to Republic City online game, originally on Nick.com. Game now broken, archived at The Lost Lore of Avatar Korra - Bending Triads.
  3. Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation, Letter: "Greetings from Republic City!"
  4. DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Dos Santos, Joaquim, Ryu, Ki Hyun (directors). (April 14, 2012). "Welcome to Republic City". The Legend of Korra. Book One: Air. Episode 1. Nickelodeon.
  5. 5.0 5.1 The Legend of Korra—The Art of the Animated Series, Book One: Air, page 46.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer), Koh, Irene (artist), Piekos, Nate; Blambot (letterer), Campbell, Heather; Bak, Jane (cover), Ng, Killian (colorist). Turf Wars Part One (July 26, 2016), Dark Horse Comics.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 185.
  8. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Movers & Shakers, Thi the Hammer playbook.
  9. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 138.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 13.
  11. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Movers & Shakers, 2023, p. 38.
  12. DiMartino, Michael Dante, Konietzko, Bryan (writers) & Dos Santos, Joaquim, Ryu, Ki Hyun (directors). (April 21, 2012). "The Revelation". The Legend of Korra. Book One: Air. Episode 3. Nickelodeon.
  13. Hamilton, Joshua (writer) & Graham, Ian (director). (October 11, 2013). "The Sting". The Legend of Korra. Book Two: Spirits. Episode 6. Nickelodeon.
  14. Hedrick, Tim, Hamilton, Joshua (writers) & Shirahama, Eiro, Jin Ahn, Sung (directors). PlatinumGames (October 21, 2014). The Legend of Korra. Activision.
  15. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 80.
  16. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 31.
  17. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 58.
  18. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 32.
  19. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 54.
  20. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Starter Set, Adventure Booklet, pg. 20.
  21. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Starter Set, Adventure Booklet, pg. 27.
  22. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 266.
  23. 23.0 23.1 Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Republic City, Version 1.0, 2023, p. 130.
  24. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Wan Shi Tong's Adventure Guide, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 175.
  25. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game. Core Book, Version 1.0, 2022, p. 86.
  26. Yee, F. C. (author), DiMartino, Michael Dante (author). (July 21, 2020). Chapter One, "Unfinished Business". The Shadow of Kyoshi. Amulet Books.
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