Bending arts



Bending, the ability to manipulate an element, is very significant to all aspects of life in the Avatar World. There are five Bending Arts. Four of them bend a specific physical element, and the fifth one bends the energy within the human body. The four elemental Bending Arts depend on the energy within the human body. Hence, by Energybending, a person can take away another person's bending abilities. One of them is nearly extinct. Most bending arts have one or two separate sub-skills. The Avatar is capable of using all of the bending arts. The bending abilities are not defined genetically, but are related to one's nationality. It is unknown how some people become benders while others do not. Even with identical twins, one can be born a bender while the other is not. Energybending abilities are reserved for a fully realized Avatar.

Airbending


Once used by the Air Nomads, Airbending is the most defensive bending art. Almost wiped out of existence by the Fire Nation, only one known Airbender remains. Though apparently lacking fatal finishing moves, it is the most dynamic of all the bending arts. As the element of freedom, Airbenders used their capability to bend unencumbered by the ground or any other environmental factors and use their own momentum as a weapon, evading attacks with astounding speed and agility to tire their opponents out or building up massive inertia for explosive gusts of wind to make their counterattacks finishing moves. Airbending's opposite is Earthbending and the confrontational style that serves as its foundation. No sub-skill has been revealed for Airbending other than possibly, flight, where an Airbender opens his/her glider and uses Airbending to provide thrust and lift. The first Airbenders were the Flying Bison. Their season is autumn.

Waterbending


Practiced by select people of the Water Tribe, Waterbending is not only the most versatile element, but one of the more unique bending arts as the first benders didn't learn from an animal, but from the Moon. While a bender's victory in battle depends on their skill or ingenuity, Waterbenders, unlike other benders, gain a serious advantage or disadvantage depending on the amount of water around them, although highly skilled Waterbenders can draw water from surprising places. Waterbenders can draw humidity from the air and bend the water in living things, especially plants. As the element of change, Waterbenders can fluidly and quickly alternate from defense to offense, from a wall of ice to a jet of water, turning their opponent's strength against them. The opposite of Waterbending is Firebending and its relatively stagnant, direct philosophy. Due to its lunar sympathy, Waterbending is stronger at the night, ineffective during a lunar eclipse or when the Moon Spirit is in danger. However, to counter Waterbending's ineffectiveness during a lunar eclipse, Waterbenders gain an extra boost during the peak of the full moon. The moon and the ocean were the first waterbenders. The sub-skill for Waterbending is Healing. Their season is winter.

Earthbending


Originating in the Earth Kingdom, Earthbending demands a special connection with the earth that is achievable with neutral jin, doing nothing but waiting and listening until the right moment to strike. Like Waterbenders, Earthbenders also gain an advantage or disadvantage in battle based on the the amount of earth around them, but it isn't as extreme. Because of the element's stability and its stress on neutral jin, Earthbenders stand their ground, absorbing or intercepting attacks until they completely overwhelm their opponents. Unlike the other bending arts, Earthbending's strength equally lies in both offense and defense. Badger moles were the first earth benders. Earthbending is the direct opposite of Airbending as Airbending's emphasis on evasion and mobility is a stark contrast to Earthbending's fortitude and strength. The sub-skill for Earthbending is the Seismic Sense and, as an extension, Metalbending. Their season is spring.

Firebending


Firebending, used by the people of the Fire Nation, is the most aggressive bending art. Unlike other benders who depend on external sources of their elements to bend, Firebenders can create fire using their internal heat source in addition to controlling already existent flames. As the element of power, Firebenders have to be able to maintain a constant source of energy and balance in battle, unleashing a volley of direct, successive attacks. Firebending's relatively simple and direct style contrasts the complex and changing style of waterbending. Due to its solar affinity, Firebending is stronger during the day and at its full power at noon, but ineffective during a solar eclipse. When a comet is near the planet, the power of a Firebender is greatly increased. Dragons were the first Firebenders. The sub-skill of Firebending is lightning. Powerful firebenders can also bend different color flames. Their season is summer.

Energybending


Energybending is a Bending Art that existed before the time of the Avatar and other bending arts. It is the bending of the energy within one's body. Energybending allows the user to remove other peoples' Bending. It is a highly dangerous technique. Very few Avatars have learned this Bending Art, and even fewer have used it.

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