Bison whistle



Bison Whistles are small wooden mechanisms used to attract various fauna in the World of Avatar. They are the only known instruments capable of calling Flying Bison from long distances. These antique whistles are thought by many to be worthless, but they were once used by the Air Nomads to herd their bison.

Bison Whistles produce sound waves too intense in pitch to be picked up by human ears, and as such, are only noticeable to animals, who can capably identify the reverberations transmitted by the whistles and pinpoint their origin. These whistles vary tremendously in design, and likely in potency.

Acquirement from Seedy Merchants Pier
Katara, after seeing Aang overwhelmed by his apparent need to master all four elements prior to the arrival of Sozin's Comet, offered to teach the young Avatar a number of Waterbending forms, to commence his training in the art. The team made their way to Waterfall Lagoon, where Aang was quick to exhibit his prodigious skill, effortlessly mastering Katara's moves in a matter of minutes. After Aang created a large wave that accidentally washed up their supplies, Team Avatar was forced to visit Seedy Merchants Pier, in order to replace the lost items. Here, Aang purchased a supposedly authentic Bison Whistle for one copper piece, much to his companions' disappointment.

When Aang blew into the whistle to test its potency, the team was surprised to find that it seemingly did not produce any sound. Sokka was quick to declare the trinket as a dupe, and that Aang had been tricked by the merchant who sold it. However, unbeknownst to him and the rest of Team Avatar, the whistle was effective, and was able to produce sound waves identifiable to nearby animals, such as Momo. Katara collected the remaining copper pieces from Aang, and the team continued to wander about the pier's vicinity.

While browsing the many stalls in the pier, the team is stopped by a barker, who convinced them to visit a small boutique that offered a wide selection of "exotic curios". While perusing through the merchandise, Katara was enthralled to find a Waterbending Scroll among the available parchments. The shop's proprietor was quick to express a protective pretense while discussing the exact origin of the scroll, though he disclosed enough information to confirm that the scroll was stolen from a Water Tribesman up north.

Aang bargained with the captain, though his attempts end in failure. However, Katara was able to steal the scroll amidst the two's conversation, and urged Aang and Sokka to leave before its disappearance was noticed. The gang rushed out of the boutique, and are immediately pursued by the boutique's crew. Team Avatar was able to safely escape, by using Aang's glider to evade the pirates. Prince Zuko soon arrived at the pier, and eventually formed an alliance with the pirates, to hunt down the Avatar's party. The pirates successfully apprehended the members of Team Avatar, and prepared to complete their deal with the banished prince.

However, prior to the exchange, Sokka was able to turn the pirates against Zuko, by notifying them that the Avatar was far more valuable than a Waterbending Scroll. The pirates call off the deal, enraging Zuko. Zuko's soldiers and the pirates soon engaged in battle, providing enough distraction for Aang, Sokka and Katara's escape.

Katara and Aang were able to hijack the pirates' ship through Waterbending, though they are quickly pursued by the pirates, who soon board the ship. Together, the members of Team Avatar fend off the pirates, but are soon threatened by a waterfall not far ahead. Aang pulled out the Bison Whistle and blew on it, angering Sokka, who exclaimed that it was not the time to have flute practice. Despite this, the whistle's vibrations were caught by Appa, who arrived just as the ship began to fall.

Search for Appa
After meeting Professor Zei at the Misty Palms Oasis, Team Avatar decided to launch an expedition to find the Great Library amidst the Si Wong Desert. The group eventually finds the library after several unsuccessful attempts, and prepared to enter. Toph refused to go and remained outside with Appa while the rest of Team Avatar and Professor Zei began to climb inside the structure.

While Team Avatar explored the library, Toph and Appa are eventually spotted and cornered by Sandbenders, who expressed interest earlier in Appa, as Flying Bison were thought to be extinct. Toph was unable to protect Appa effectively, as the constant shifting of sand impaired her unique way of seeing.

By this time, the library had begun to sink, as the Knowledge Spirit, Wan Shi Tong, was enraged by Sokka's attempts to discover the date of the Day of Black Sun, when he would plan an invasion to capture the Fire Nation Capital. Despite being warded off by Appa, the Sandbenders overwhelmed the beast, immobilizing him by binding his legs. Toph was unable to protect Appa, as she attempted to keep the library from sinking prior to Team Avatar's escape. The Sandbenders eventually departed with Appa under their possession on their Sand-sailors. Knowing that a Sky Bison would sell for a hefty price, the Sandbenders, led by Ghashiun, took the captured beast to Beetle-Head Merchants stationed within the desert, who purchased Appa after concluding that he would sell for a fortune in Ba Sing Se. All the while, Aang searched areas near the library for any trace of Appa. He pulled out his Bison Whistle and used it as a last-ditch effort to find his companion, though he assumed that Appa was long gone due to a lack of response. However, Appa was able to pick up the whistle's sound while being secured for shipment, and began to go rampant in an attempt to escape. He was soon sedated with Shirshu-Spit Darts by the merchants, immediately rendering him unconscious.

Journey to Ba Sing Se
After being paralyzed, Appa woke up caged in a Fire Nation Circus tent, where he was briefed by the trainer on how to act. Appa proved to be disobedient, and was punished by the trainer, who vowed to discipline him at any cost. Appa was forced to perform in front of Fire Nation colonials, while in an ostentatious costume. He was ordered to fly through flaming hoops, one of which got caught in his robe, lighting it on fire. Appa's fear of the element caused him to act out, and he eventually broke free.

Appa flew to various destinations, where he scoured for any traces of food, ranging from cacti to honey. He searched for Aang and Team Avatar near Wan Shi Tong's Library, but was only able to find the flattened ground on which the library once stood. Appa eventually made his way to an Earth Kingdom forest, where he engaged in battle with a territorial Boarcupine, whom he defeats. Appa was in terrible condition, covered in quills from his duel and restrained by cuffs that bounded his limbs. He decided to rest in a secluded cavern.

Days after his duel, Appa was found by the Kyoshi Warriors, who spotted traces of Appa's fur from his battle with the Boarcupine. Suki was alarmed by Appa's state of being, and offered to help him. Despite the recent events that made Appa reluctant and cautious, he ultimately succumbed to Suki, who subsequently cleaned him up with help from the other Kyoshi Warriors.

The warriors and Appa are soon attacked by Azula, Mai and Ty Lee, who followed the trail of fur to the clearing, assuming that Appa was with the Avatar. Despite her ultimate goal's absence, Azula continued her attack, and with help from her team, was able to gain the upper hand while battling against the Kyoshi Warriors. Amidst the battle, Appa fled, urged by Suki, who told him to seek Aang.

Appa retreated to the Eastern Air Temple, where he encountered Guru Pathik. After several days of rest, Pathik instructed Appa where he would find Aang. Appa left the temple, and headed to Ba Sing Se. Upon arriving, Appa heard the call of a Bison Whistle, and rushed to locate its origin, hoping to find Aang. Instead, he found Long Feng, using a similar whistle, who traps him underground not long after.

Creating Ba Sing Se Zoo
After seeing the horrid conditions within Ba Sing Se Zoo, Aang offered to help the establishment's administrator, Kenji, in creating a more spacious environment. Kenji expressed doubts about Aang's ability to control all the animals, to which he replies that there is no need to worry, as he is great with animals.

Contrary to this, the zoo's collection of fauna went on a rampage following their release from captivity. In order to herd the animals, Aang used Airbending to produce a magnified call from his Bison Whistle. It is effective, and the animals rushed toward Aang, who directed them towards the agrarian zone. Once outside the city, Aang used a combination of Airbending and Earthbending to create artificial landforms such as trenches and mountains, as to provide the fauna with relatively realistic environments similar in nature to what would be found in the wild.

The zoo proved to be a success, as citizens rushed to visit the zoo following its renovation.

Aang's Whistle
Aang's Whistle was acquired from the Seedy Merchants Pier for the price of one copper piece. The instrument is relatively uniform in coloration, being generally white in color apart from two sections silver in appearance. Aang's Bison Whistle is designed in the likeness of a Sky Bison, though only in shape. It is relatively plain in appearance, and as such, does not have detailing to outline the bison's fur, nor light blue pigment to depict the Sky Bison's arrows.

Aang's whistle is capable of producing long range reverberations that can effectively attract animals in large numbers scattered over a given area of land. In conjunction with Airbending, it can prove to be quite potent. The call transmitted by Aang's whistle can only be picked up by animals, and as such, are unidentifiable to humans.

This whistle was the most prominent throughout the series.

Long Feng's Whistle
Long Feng's Whistle is a whistle similar in capabilities to Aang's whistle. However, the two instruments vary greatly in appearance. Long Feng's Whistle is considerably longer than Aang's, with a large rectangular gap near the edge where sound escapes. The whistle is fairly geometrical, with long flat surfaces throughout. The device ends in a circular swirl, reminiscent to components present in various architectural structures from the Air Temples.

This whistle was only seen once, and as such, its capabilities are not certain. It does possess the ability to call Flying Bison, and like Aang's whistle, also produces vibrations too high in pitch for human ears.