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Post by Funk Oni on Oct 8, 2006 21:00:10 GMT -5
Wow, very in-dept. Of course, one thing is nagging at me. Is religion canon? Obviously, not the Western- or Middle East-born religions, but the worship of deities? There have been some instances where authors have their Fire Nation characters pray to Agni, the fire god/dess of the Hindu pantheon. Religion has not been explored in the Avatarverse, but could it be possible to incorporate it in a believable way? Well, my personal interpretation of religion in Avatar is that the existance of spirits and supernatural instances make the whole perception and following of religion fuzzy. Our world has no instances of religious or supernatural occurance that'll go without question or debate. There's no spirit of the forest or spirit of fire to confirm a faith. The Avatar universe however, has this. In spades. Thus, I feel it'd be difficult for someone to write religion effectively in Avatar beyond the creators/writers. But that's personal opinion; it isn't to say that sort of thing should be avoided. If someone REALLY wanted to write religion into Avatar and wanted to take a step beyond that which has been noted or identified in the show, here is what I would advise: -Following one of the religions that the supernatural traits of the show are actually based in and following off of that; not making up something completely. -Not allowing the religious trait to be so powerful that it guides the hearts of a huge count of people. (A village obeying the will or avoiding provocation of a spirit is believabe; the entire Fire Nation doing so, not so much.) -Don't presume to know something beyond what canon has revealed. You can take risks, sure. Just be willing to shrug and say "Yeah, I took a couple," instead of defending it to the bitter end. -Don't make it a point to throw an argument or belief in someone's face using fanfiction. You can make a statement, that's fine. Just don't be spiteful or try to start somethin'. Thanks for this question, it was awesome. I think it'd make a find addition to the guide in the next update! But before that; I'd appreciate your particular feedback on these points.
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kohthefacestealer
Bato
Villainy wears many masks, none of which so dangerous as virtue...
Posts: 603
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Post by kohthefacestealer on Oct 13, 2006 16:42:40 GMT -5
Thank you for answering my question.
So, going on what you have said, a religion based on Japan's Shintoism would be more believeable in the Avatarverse than one based on Wicca.
The Avatar succession is based on the lineage of the Dalai Lama, who is revered as the incarnation of the bodhisattva of compassion and there are instances in the Avatarverse of the previous Avatars being revered in a manner similar.
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Post by writer on Oct 13, 2006 17:36:18 GMT -5
I'm using a combo of Shinto and Hinduism or my fictions for an example
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Post by airbender01 on Oct 25, 2006 19:47:07 GMT -5
Hi, I was wondering if could have a separate tribe that believed spirits exist in the northern lights. They would be called The Hitodama Tribe. Hitodama literally means "spirit lights" in Japenese like Momo(peach). I heard some people say that there is a strong spiritual energy in our Aurora Borealis.
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Post by Funk Oni on Oct 25, 2006 20:45:37 GMT -5
Well, I'm not sure if you're looking for opinion or not on that, but here's my personal reaction to the idea.
First, I'm curious what you mean when you say "separate tribe." Do you mean a sect of the Northern or Southern Tribe, or are you talking about creating an entirely new one along the lines of "Eastern or Western?"
I think it's completely justifiable for there to be those within either tribe who hold that belief, or pass along stories of that particular legend. Having an entire tribe dedicated to it seems a bit frivilous. Inuit culture is filled with many beautiful stories, something to the effect of what you're suggesting is feasible.
The only other note that I can make is that "Hitodama" doesn't really translate to "Spirit energy." I studied Japanese for a long period of time, and just used one of my dictionaries to confirm it in case I was wrong. It actually translates to "Person ball." Or in some instances, "Person coin."
Besides that, I don't think you would really want to use Japanese names for any aspect of the Water Tribes or their legends. They're Inuit based, so I would recommend using Inuit names or themes with them. You can try google, that's especially helpful for this sort of thing.
Hope that helps, Airbender!
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Post by airbender01 on Oct 26, 2006 13:41:16 GMT -5
Well, what about the Hami tribe? You should read my Fanfic: Book 4: AIR Chapter one:The Great Spirits. Some members here are saying that the things I made are not possible to have in the Avatar's world. What do you think? I found an Inuit name for the tribe:Kinguyakkii which means "Northern Lights". Please respond.
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Post by Funk Oni on Oct 26, 2006 15:25:50 GMT -5
I'm not sure it's entirely wise to make up an entire tribe. A sect within the Northern or Southern Tribe, that's believable. Or a family believing a particular idea. Making an entirely new one is too much, I feel.
I'll read through your fanfiction later today and leave my feedback on it, I just hope you'll excuse me if it isn't what you hoped for.
"Kinguyakkii" sounds pretty good, I think that's very feasible, and it was a good idea to select an Inuit-based name.
I hope I've been able to help you! I'll look at your fanfiction later tonight.
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Post by airbender01 on Oct 27, 2006 15:47:43 GMT -5
What does feasible and frivilous mean? Anyone know?
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Post by Mashnii on Nov 6, 2006 13:14:15 GMT -5
Wow! This is a really great guide! *karmalizes*
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Kyatto
Kyoshi Azula
Dance, magic dance!
Posts: 2,228
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Post by Kyatto on Nov 16, 2006 18:23:45 GMT -5
You rock!
*visits Avatarsues religiously*
I only have an OC for RPG purposes, and tha't sonly if all the canon characters are taken. Simple Firebender who hates the world and seeks to dominate it.
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Post by rysenkari on Nov 20, 2006 0:12:33 GMT -5
Very nice, very detailed, very informative guide, I have one dispute with it but that's it... -Avoid swearing. The canon characters do not swear, so the easiest assumption to make is that such words don’t exist within that realm. Certain insults and words are understandable, but swearing and excess vulgarity tend to be out of character in these fanfictions. Just because Avatar is on Nickelodeon and is a Y7 show does not mean that swearing would not exist in the Avatar world. It just means that characters can't swear on the TV show, not that swear words don't exist. Example: We don't see people getting their heads blasted off on Avatar either, but it's a WAR, and one would assume that things like that DO happen, it's just off-screen. Same with swearing, though I agree that for MOST characters, excessive swearing is out-of-character. I could see people like Azula and Jet letting the occasional curse fly, though.
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Post by Ellistriel on Nov 24, 2006 17:37:33 GMT -5
mmm that was nice ^^, I was planing a fanfic and well i think that can go perfect with all you said except ... the power of the bending (I still have to look a little more on that), I was thinking of a firebender character started in season 1, I´m going to do all her story apart from the gaang (maybe they cross sometime but probably never speak) same in season 2, but what I like to do now that season 2 is going to finish, I was thinking of making "my" season 3, not moving anything canon till the end of season 2 (my OC probably just moving around the world doing her stuff and blah blah), but I was thinking of making her a major character for my season 3 (that story could be consider true until season 3 start xD), that why I was thinking of making a strong bender (like the major characters, Katara, toph, zuko, azula, young but powerful) I´m going by every methods try not to make it a romance story (to be honest I probably don´t going to put to much love in her live just a little, like all the other characters have) A Firebender, I still don´t know if I´m going to put lighting ability on her, and I got the idea of introduce lava (since firenation is like a big volcano xD) but that could be hard since the only lava bending we have seen is from avatars (I still belive lava is from firebenders, no from earthbender, ther´s a post of mine about that).
so this could be to sueish? or could work (until season 3 start xD)
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Post by airbender01 on Nov 27, 2006 17:54:32 GMT -5
Funk oni, if my character was touched by a spirit, Could that be how she can transform into an eagle? The spirit wouldn't give up its immortality, just save her. I know Yue was touched by the moon spirit and never had a transformation ability,but what if the spirit was like Hei Bei? He has a transformation ability. Please respond to me, I need to know if that's possible to you.
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Post by Shirozora on Dec 24, 2006 16:54:53 GMT -5
Oh my god.
I love you. I love you for writing this. I love you for-for taking the time to write all this! I swaer, the people on FFN NEED to read this! You won't believe the crap I find when I troll around looking for fanfics. I'm a Crack!Couple writer/reader and half the time the relationships I find there are so....*cringes*
Through my experience writing in the KH fandom for 3 years, I find that researching (A LOT) and understanding the characters really make the stories worthhwhile. I started writing an Avatar fic a few days ago, after reading probably 20 fanfictions on FFN to get a feel for what someone wants to read/write, and I'm already going through all the episodes, pulling off quotes or just listening to the way characters talk.
(It's kind of hard getting quotes becuase 1) they talk so naturally you have to play it several times to get it down correctly, and 2) you get so distracted because you end up watching the show, not jotting down what Iroh said to Zuko and Jet about second chances)
I find the idea of bending other things quite fascinating, especially because I can't figure out for the life of me WHY someone would want to animalbend. That...makes no sense.
I wish some of the more popular FFN:ATLA writers read this. Sure they're 'popular' but their writing's crap. (I'm busy writing a FFN-based rant on a chapter of one of those popular-yet-horrible fanfics. Anybody interested?)
~Shirozora
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Post by airbender01 on Dec 30, 2006 15:44:20 GMT -5
Think about it. Wouldn't you like to turn into your favorite animal? Mine is the bald eagle.
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