Sun Warriors' ancient city

The Sun Warriors' ancient city is a sprawling, ancient city that was thought to be an uninhabited ruin, in an island north of the Fire Nation coast. Aang and Zuko discovered that the Sun Warrior civilization still exists here. Much of this stone metropolis is now covered in vines and sits unused. This is because the tribe is much smaller than it used to be. Some of the architecture of this ancient city is mirrored in modern day Fire Nation architecture, most specifically the Fire Sages' temples.

The city is heavily laden with booby traps. The sunstone, an important relic to the Sun Warrior culture, is hidden in a room which supposedly opens only during the solstice. Once opened, it is accessed by two people performing the Dancing Dragon, by placing their feet in a synchronized fashion on specifically located push-tiles. The sunstone may not be removed from its pedestal, and is guarded by a powerful glue.

Lair of the firebending masters


The lair of the firebending masters is two caves that are located atop large rocks overlooking the ocean just beyond the Sun Warriors' city. A large, elevated, man-made platform is located in the middle of the two caves, and extending from it is a long bridge that connects each cave to the platform. It is here where those who seek enlightenment in the art of firebending offer the masters a piece of the Eternal Flame and subsequently receive judgment from them. The dragons, Ran and Shaw, circle the visitors, and to prove their worth, each visitor must execute the Dancing Dragon form in unison with his corresponding dragon, while moving in synchronization with his partner. Aang was able to determine this when he and Zuko met the masters, and was able to perform the Dancing Dragon and receive enlightenment along with Zuko.

Sunstone chamber


The sunstone chamber is a protected room only accessible when the celestial calendar directly outside the chamber refracts light on the door's gemstone at just the right angle. As the only known days the door would open were during a solstice, Zuko had no choice but to speed up time by using his broadswords as a way to manipulate the light. Inside the chamber are twenty statues that show steps to the Dancing Dragon form. When two visitors mimic the moves simultaneously, they trigger foot-pads that eventually raise a pedestal holding the sacred sunstone. To prevent burglars from stealing the relic, a slime geyser releases a powerful glue-like substance upon the removal of the stone from its pedestal.

Dragon mural


Located mid-way to the top of the city's primary ziggurat is a mural of two dragons sharing their knowledge of firebending to a Sun Warrior. Aang and Zuko initially mistook the painting as a sign that the dragons were particularly violent upon contact with humans. The mural exhibits multiple fractures and signs of erosion from the centuries it has remained in a state of disrepair. Zuko and Aang later discovered the true concept behind the mural, when they were deemed worthy and granted the chance to learn the original ways of firebending.

Eternal Flame


The Eternal Flame is the first flame ever given to man by the dragons. It rests in a protective chamber atop an ancient pyramid. Those who wish to learn from the masters must bring a piece of the Eternal Flame to their lair. The flame must be kept at a constant temperature, as a small flame would go out, whereas a large flame would spiral out of control.

Celestial calendar


Located in the center of the courtyard at the Sun Warriors' city is a large orange gem that refracts slivers of light onto a calendar on the ground. This gem is part of a celestial locking system that protects a sacred room that can only be opened on specific days, like the summer solstice. The celestial calender bears a striking resemblance to the Fire Temple sanctuary once located on Crescent Island.

Connection

 * The Sun Warriors' ancient city is based on the Mayan and Aztec cultures and architecture.
 * The sunstone chamber resembles the Mayan tomb at Chichen Itza.