Sozin

Fire Lord Sozin was the instigator of the War, and Fire Lord before Azulon. He was the father of Azulon, grandfather to Ozai and Iroh, and great grandfather to Zuko, Azula, and Lu Ten.

Sozin was the ruler of the Fire Nation for almost eighty years, and lived to be 102 - some claimed that the power of the the Comet prolonged his life. Like every Fire Lord, Sozin was a master Firebender, and his Firebending skills were on par with those of Avatar Roku. The beginning of Sozin's reign was a time of great peace and prosperity in the Fire Nation, causing Sozin a desire to share the prosperity with the rest of the world. In last years, Sozin ruled the Fire Nation with an iron fist, all the while searching the world for the Avatar. One of his lesser-known military accomplishments was the Battle of Han Tui, which was applauded as a magnificent display of skill and military cunning.

History


In his youth, Sozin and Avatar Roku were best friends, and even shared the same birthday, which they celebrated together. At their 16th birthday party, Roku was told by the Fire Sages that he was the Avatar, and the two friends are forced to separate as Roku goes to learn mastery of the three other elements. Before leaving, Sozin gives him a gift of the headpiece worn by the Crown Prince.



Twelve years later, Roku returns to the Fire Nation and Sozin has become Fire Lord. At Roku's wedding, Sozin takes the position of his best man. At the wedding, Sozin comments that the Fire Nation is going through a period of great prosperity, and tells Roku that together, the two of them could spread it to the world by expanding the empire. Roku is greatly disturbed by this, telling Sozin that the Four Nations are meant to be kept separate and that he should not think of this again. Several years later, however, Roku discovers that Sozin has set up colonies in the Earth Kingdom, and comes to rebuke him, leading Sozin to attack him. The two engage in a battle, with Roku finally destroying most of the palace and defeating Sozin. Roku spares his life because of their past friendship, but warns him never to move forward with his plans again.



Twenty-five years later, Roku's home island is consumed in a volcanic eruption so massive that Sozin can see and feel it from a hundred miles away. The Fire Lord flies in on his dragon to assist his old friend. The two use their Bending to try to contain the lava flow, but are hindered by poisonous gases, which eventually overwhelm Roku, leaving him lying on the ground and begging for his old friend's help. Sozin suddenly realizes, however, that Roku's death would allow him to fulfill his plans, and leaves his old friend to die along with his dragon Fang.

Twelve years after Roku had died, Sozin used the power of a comet to enhance the power of his Firebender army and launched a genocide on the Air Nomads in an attempt to kill Aang, the new Avatar, and halt the Avatar cycle. However, Sozin failed, as Aang had run away from the Air Nomads some time before. Sozin spent the rest of his life searching, so that he could find and destroy the last Airbender.

At some point during his reign, probably after Roku's death, Sozin started the tradition of hunting dragons for glory. For a Firebender who could kill a Dragon, the original Firebenders, he would be showered with glory and praise, and earn the title "Dragon". This lead to the dragon's near-extinction.

However, it appears at the end of his life that he regrets what he started by stating "As I feel my own life dimming, I can't help but think of a time when everything was so much brighter..."



Abilities
Being a Fire Lord, Sozin was a Firebending master. In "The Avatar and the Fire Lord", he was shown to be a powerful Firebender, able to continuously shoot a great amount of fire. He is also shown to manipulate heat without creating an active flame, such as when he removed the heat from the lava, turning it into rock. From an early age, he was shown to be quite a strategist, defeating Roku by making him trip while sparring with him.

Quotes
"Customarily my subjects bow before greeting me, but you're the exception."

"Our nation is enjoying an unprecedented time of peace and wealth. Our people are happy and we are so fortunate in so many ways... I’ve been thinking we should share this prosperity with the rest of the world. In our hands is the most successful empire in history.  It's time we expanded it."

"Without you all my plans are suddenly possible. I have a vision for the future, Roku."

''"With Roku gone and the great comet returning the timing was perfect to change the world."'

"As I feel my own life dimming, I can't help but think of a time when everything was so much brighter..."

Trivia

 * Fire Lord Sozin is written as 烈火君蘇進 (liè huǒ jūn sū jìn). Sozin or Sū Jìn translates as 'resurrection enters'.
 * Even though Roku said they weren't friends anymore Sozin still considered Roku as a friend.

Relatives

 * See Fire Nation Royal Family Tree
 * Azulon (son)
 * Iroh (older grandson)
 * Lu Ten (eldest great grandson)
 * Ozai (younger grandson)
 * Zuko (older great grandson)
 * Azula (youngest great granddaughter)