South Pole

The South Pole is the southernmost point on Earth, and serves as the spiritual center of the Southern Water Tribe. Located at the center of the pole is an ancient forest containing a portal to the Spirit World, which was reopened by Avatar Korra during the winter solstice in 171 AG.

History


On the eve of Harmonic Convergence, Wan and Mula traveled to the South Pole together with Raava in order to cross over to the Spirit World and battle Vaatu for the fate of the world. After the battle ended in their favor, Wan oversaw the departure of all the spirits roaming the Spirit Wilds through this portal. After he said his goodbyes to the aye-aye spirit, whom he had befriended, he sealed the portal, preventing any human from physically traveling to the Spirit World and freeing Vaatu.

Despite relief efforts by the Northern Water Tribe to rebuild its sister tribe, the Southern Water Tribe underwent gradual spiritual decay in the years following the Hundred Year War, causing spiritual imbalance in the South Pole. As a result, dark spirits began to rampage in the Everstorm and ceased to dance in the southern lights. In addition, the dormant spirit portal became encased in ice, along with the forest itself.



A small expedition consisting of Avatar Korra, Chief Unalaq, Tonraq, Mako, Bolin, Desna, and Eska visited the South Pole in 171 AG following the spirit attack during the Glacier Spirits Festival in an attempt to calm the angry spirits rampaging throughout the tribe. Although the group was attacked several times by hostile dark spirits, Korra managed to reopen the Southern spirit portal through the use of the Avatar State, restoring spiritual balance in the South. As a result of her actions, the Everstorm dissipated and the southern lights returned to the skies.

Following the outbreak of the Water Tribe Civil War, the forest located in the center of the South Pole was barricaded by Unalaq's forces in order to protect the spirit portal against the Southern Water Tribe rebels. Unalaq journeyed to the Spirit World through the Southern spirit portal along with his children, Desna and Eska, shortly thereafter in an attempt to open the Northern spirit portal through the use of waterbending. Desna's injury in the failed attempt prompted Eska to escort him back to the South Pole, so that he could be treated by a healer.

A few hours before the Harmonic Convergence, Team Avatar attempted to enter the Spirit World via the portal so that Korra could close the portal to prevent a battle with Vaatu, and Tenzin could rescue his daughter. Mako, Bolin, and Asami attempted to lay waste upon the encampment from a biplane to serve as a distraction, while Korra, Tenzin, Kya and Bumi attempted to enter the Spirit World on Oogi. However, they were soon repelled by Northern troops and dark spirits. Despite being severely outnumbered, Team Avatar managed to cause significant damage. They were subsequently defeated and everyone, except for Bumi, were captured by Northern forces. Bumi later entered the encampment in disguise and attempted to calm the dark spirits and convert them into his army using his flute music. His plans, however, backfired and he sought refuge inside a mecha tank. The spirits subsequently entered the tank engine, causing it to malfunction and move erratically. Desperate to regain control, Bumi accidentally fired a cable to the middle tower, causing the tank to circle the entire encampment and destroy everything.

In the midst of the Battle during Harmonic Convergence, Avatar Korra battled Unalaq in the icy depths of the South Pole. Having fused with the dark spirit Vaatu, the two fought to determine the rightful Avatar and the fate of the world for the next ten thousand years. Outside of the Southern spirit portal, the Dark Avatar was able to entrap Korra in the deep ice layer that served as the foundation of the South Pole and proceeded to crush her in it. The Avatar was, however, able to overcome this action by connecting with Raava and breaking out of the fissure. After continuing their ferocious battle, Vatuu emerged from Unalaq and extracted Raava from Korra, causing Korra to collapse. Though Mako and Bolin attempted to come to Korra's rescue, they were easily defeated by Unalaq and were soon knocked unconscious as well. Unalaq then proceeded to throw aggressive blasts of water onto Raava, effectively destroying her. After having defeated Team Avatar, Unalaq then set forth to reconquer the physical world, leaving Mako, Bolin, and Korra for dead in the South Pole tundra.

Description


An ancient forest containing a portal to the Spirit World is located in the center of the South Pole, which can be opened during the solstices by the Avatar. In the past, when the spirits were in balance, a beam of light emanated from the portal, causing the celestial phenomenon known as the southern lights.

The damage wrought on the Southern Water Tribe by the Hundred Year War upset the pole's spiritual balance and caused the spirits to conjure an enormous, constant tempest known as the Everstorm which surrounded the pole. This, in turn, led to the forest becoming encased in ice. The forest eventually turned into a series of glacial caverns, penetrated by roots and inhabited by small, dragon-like spirits.

Following the spirit portal's reopening, the southern lights returned to the skies and the glacial formations began to disappear. By the time of Unalaq's occupation, a large wall was constructed around the spirit forest, with watchtowers located at every junction. In addition, small tents were pitched directly outside the forest for use by Northern troops.