Northern Water Tribe Royal Palace

The Northern Water Tribe Royal Palace is the seat of government in the Northern Water Tribe, housing the tribal chief and his family. Located in the tribe's capital city, the palace is one of the most recognizable landmarks and can be seen from most anywhere in the city. In here, the chief and his advisers sit and make decisions regarding the tribe.

History
The Northern Water Tribe Royal Palace was built long before the start of the Hundred Year War, when group of waterbenders united to build the capital city of the Northern Water Tribe in an attempt to bring all the tribes of the North Pole together. Formal control over the Water Tribes was consolidated to a single chief, with the palace serving as the seat of the local government.

When Avatar Roku traveled to the Northern Water Tribe in order to master waterbending, he studied from his waterbending master. After mastering this art of bending, Roku and his teacher dueled outside the city. Roku's waterbending master pulled a water spout, destroying the iceberg where Roku was standing. But Roku awoke and created a massive iceberg spike, pushing his master to the royal palace.

Description
The palace's design mimics that of a tiered pyramid. Leading up to the front entrance is a large staircase which is bordered on either side by a decorative pillar. A pool of water and a number of artificially designed waterfalls surround the building, giving it a unique ambiance; the liquid for this system is supplied by various pipelines that pour water into the pool from directly below the temple. During special events after nightfall, the interior of the temple is lit up, so that light shines through the front entrance and the central windows up to the top floor of the structure. When Team Avatar arrived at the Northern Water Tribe, a celebration was held near the Chief's temple.[1]

The interior of the building is intricately designed, featuring a decorative arch with four pillars, two cauldron-shaped ice sculptures, carvings of Water Tribe symbols, a rug adorned with the insignia of the nation, and an artificial waterfall behind the arch.

Dining Area
The dining area is a large area outside of the palace, used for feasting with large groups of people. The dining area was the sight of multiple occurrences for Team Avatar in the North Pole. Firstly, Aang realized his influence in the North, seeing that the residence greatly revered him, and threw a feat in his honor. Secondly, Katara found her soon-to-be waterbending master Pakku during the aforementioned feast. Lastly, it was in this area that Sokka officially met Tribal Princess Yue who he eventually fell in love with.

Courtyard
In the courtyard, the residents of the tribe gather to visit the palace, and get a sight of the Royal Family members. In this courtyard, Pakku told Katara he could not teach her due to his tribe's patriarchal society. He later trained Anng in this courtyard. The next day, Katara fought master Pakku in the courtyard in order for him to finally teach her, but she lost the duel and, in the process, her necklace was cut off. Pakku, recognizing the necklace and realizing Katara was his ex-fiancé's granddaughter, decided to teach Katara. Katara flourished as a student and sparred with multiple male waterbenders in this courtyard, winning every time.

Bedrooms
Bedrooms in the palace are very large and luxurious,befitting royalty. The rooms, like the rest of the tribe, is made out of ice. Furniture however, such as drawers and bed-frames, are made of normal materials, such as wood. Decorations, such as spears and swords, can also be found hanging on walls.

Throne Room
The throne room of the palace is an intricately designed room where the chief and his advisers make decisions. The throne room was first seen when Katara asked Pakku to consider training Aang again, after Aang had disobeyed him by teaching Katara. Arnook then told Katara she had to apologize to Pakku in order for him to teach Aang, to which she angrily refused. The throne room was later used to gather residents of the tribe in order to warn the them about the Fire Nation's incoming attack. It was here that warriors, including Sokka, were chosen to fight the army that threatened their nation.

Over 50 years later, Tonraq was banished by his father in this throne room, which had looked to redone since Arnook's reign.

Trivia

 * The palace is the most recurring location of the Water Tribe. It appears multiple times while training both Katara and Aang, as well as battle scenes that take place during the Siege of the North.
 * The palace had been remodeled in the fifty years after Arnook's time ruling the Water Tribe.