Fire Lord



The Fire Lord is the absolute ruler of the Fire Nation, usually a powerful firebender, and can be male or female. The Fire Lord resides in the Royal Palace, located in the Fire Nation Capital.

History


During the distant past, the Fire Nation was ruled as a theocracy led by the Fire Sages. The Fire Lord position at this time was merely the head sage, but subsequent holders of the position desired it to hold greater power, and so split away from the sages, beginning the Fire Nation's Royal Family. It was after this event that the position of Great Sage was established in the Fire Sages to replace the Fire Lord's spot as its head. Despite animosity between the Fire Sages and the Royal Family, the power balance had reached a state of equilibrium by the time of Fire Lord Sozin, who eventually subjugated the Sages to the Fire Lord's rule.

During the time of Fire Lord Azulon's rule, Prince Iroh was first in line to succeed his father as Fire Lord. Due to the premature death of his only son, Lu Ten, as well as possibly other unknown circumstances, Iroh's birth right to rule was stripped from him in favor of his younger brother, Prince Ozai, who was later crowned Fire Lord when Azulon passed away. As Fire Lord, Ozai carried on the established custom that the Fire Lord held all the power of the nation, and was able to make every military decision as he pleased.

Near the end of the War, however, Fire Lord Ozai broke with the tradition that the Fire Lord was the highest Fire Nation authority figure by establishing a position for himself known as Phoenix King, the supreme ruler of the world. Having passed over his first born son, Prince Zuko, he left the position of Fire Lord open for his daughter, Princess Azula, entrusting her to lead the Fire Nation, while he would occupy himself with leading the world. However, upon the arrival of Sozin's Comet, Zuko and Katara interrupted Azula's coronation, and Zuko declared he would be crowned Fire Lord instead of her, leading Azula to challenge him to an Agni Kai for the throne, which eventually turned out in his favor.



After Phoenix King Ozai's defeat by the hands of Avatar Aang and Zuko and Katara's victory over Azula, Zuko was crowned the new Fire Lord, becoming the youngest known to have achieved this status. He vowed to start an era of peace and love, in which he strove to restore the Fire Nation's honor and to rebuild the war-torn world. In order to accomplish his goals, he founded the Harmony Restoration Movement along with the Avatar and Earth King Kuei in order to move the Fire Nation colonials in the Earth Kingdom back to the Fire Nation. After this, with the help of Avatar Aang, Fire Lord Zuko also founded Republic City. Zuko remained at the head of the Fire Nation until 167 ASC, when he resigned in favor of his daughter.

Position and powers
The Fire Lord wields absolute power over the policies of the Fire Nation. His orders are to be carried out immediately and without question. Unlike the later Earth Kings, the Fire Lord continues to be a central player in the workings of government and is intimately involved in affairs of state. During the Great War, many Fire Lords took an active part in the military conquests of their nation, either by direct service or by involvement in strategy and planning. Fire Lords Sozin and Azulon were considered to be especially effective tacticians.

Succession
The position of Fire Lord is hereditary, traditionally passed from parent to eldest child. In order to prevent wars of succession between rival siblings, many Fire Lords designated their first born as Crown Prince or Princess while living, thus confirming their choice of successor. However, despite this clear designation, some designated heirs have not become Fire Lord due to intrigues within the royal house, as Crown Prince Iroh was passed over by Fire Lord Azulon in favor of his younger brother, Ozai, and Crown Prince Zuko was passed over by his father in favor of his younger sister, Azula.

Family
The Royal Family includes its head, the Fire Lord, a spouse if present, and their children. The wife of a Fire Lord is known as the Fire Lady. This title, however, is not used for female Fire Lords as Princess Azula referred to herself as 'Fire Lord' when she received that authority from her father. It is unknown what the husband of a female Fire Lord is referred to as. The children of the Fire Lord are referred to as 'Prince' or 'Princess', as is anyone married to the Fire Lord's children.



Known Fire Lords

 * Sozin's father – Unknown ~ 58 BSC
 * Sozin – 58 BSC ~ 20 ASC
 * Azulon – 20 ~ 95 ASC
 * Ozai – 95 ~ 100 ASC
 * Zuko – 100 ASC ~ 167 ASC
 * Zuko's daughter – 167 ASC ~ present

Trivia

 * In official sources, both "Fire Lord" and "Firelord" are used, meaning either spelling is acceptable.