North Pole

The North Pole is the northernmost point on Earth, and a site of great spiritual importance in the Northern Water Tribe. Located at the center of the pole is an ancient forest containing a portal to the Spirit World which others believe that the forest was the home to many spirits, which was reopened by Avatar Korra in 171 ASC.

History
On the eve of the second 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.



After abducting Aang from the Spirit Oasis during the Siege of the North in 100 ASC, Zuko sought refuge in the tundras of the North Pole, where he was eventually found by a search party consisting of Katara, Sokka, Yue, 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.

After establishing a life in a small village located in the North Pole and discovering that his sons were waterbenders, 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.

Following the outbreak of the Barbarian Invasion in 151 ASC, 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.



The marauders fled to a sacred 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 destruction of the spirit forest, and all captured barbarians were brought back to the capital. Angered by the destruction of the forest, several spirits attacked the Northern Water Tribe following the apprehension of the barbarians, but were pacified by Unalaq, who guided them back into the forest.

Description


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.

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.

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 ASC, strong spiritual energy in the North still prompted spirits to dance in the skies, causing the celestial phenomenon known as the northern lights. Although the spirit forest was virtually destroyed by Tonraq's forces in 151 ASC, it remains completely thawed, providing a sharp contrast to the surrounding tundras, which remain largely intolerable even to locals acclimated to polar conditions. It is clearly unknown if the forest was originally restored when Korra opened the portal from the Spirit World.

Fauna

 * Wolves
 * Yaks

Notable figures

 * Amon (formerly, as Noatak)
 * Tarrlok (formerly)
 * Yakone
 * Yakone's wife
 * Tonraq