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| History |
| Early life (82 BG - 67 AG) Lambak Island conflict (66 BG) Reign (58 BG - 20 AG) |
| Relationships |
| Sozin's relationships |
| Other media |
| Sozin in the Netflix live-action series |
This page comprises Sozin's relationships with other characters in the world of Avatar. Over the course of his long life, Sozin's quest for power gradually eroded many of his social contacts, most notably his friendship with Avatar Roku. As the instigator of the Hundred Year War, he made many enemies and created a lasting legacy of strife and conflict, including in his family.
Relatives[]
Azulon[]
Sozin oversaw Azulon's firebending training.
Azulon was Sozin's firstborn, and raised to succeed him.[1] Sozin oversaw his son's firebending training[2] and favored him over another family member.[3] Azulon ultimately grew up to be a supremely talented, but also very demanding and often cruel person.[1] After Sozin's death, he continued most of his father's policies, including in regards to the calculating treatment of family members.[1][3][4]
Hazei[]
Hazei was Sozin's mother. Though not on poor terms, they were not emotionally close.[5]
Taiso[]
- "Then you are as much of a fool as I feared. You cannot rest on your birthright alone, Sozin. It is obvious to everyone that Zeisan would make a much better leader - unfortunately she was not born a firebender [...]. Therefore, never speak of this again. Go. Invest your time studying history, philosophy, economics, the sciences. Proper subjects for a future Fire Lord."
- ―Taiso to Sozin after the latter's request for resources to investigate Ashō's stories.[6]
Sozin had a complex relationship with his father Taiso.[5] As a child and teenager, Sozin craved his father's approval, tried to please him,[5][7] worried about his health,[8] and was inspired in his own worldview by Taiso's ideas.[9][10] Despite this, there was not much true affection between them,[5] and Sozin already began to engage in minor acts of rebellion to spite Taiso at a young age.[11]
Desiring to shape his son in his own image,[6][7] Taiso imparted several concepts about rulership and nationhood on Sozin,[10] as well as cautioning him to surround himself with loyal followers who had useful skills for future tasks.[6] In general, Taiso's attempts to manipulate Sozin encouraged the latter's cruelty, ruthlessness, and sociopathic tendencies.[5][6]
Sozin was pitted against his sister Zeisan by their father due to the faulty assumption that competition would increase the children's abilities. This did little aside of poisoning the siblings' relationship.[9][12] As Zeisan was a nonbender, Taiso firmly believed that she could never become Fire Lord; accordingly, the older man saw Sozin as his only potential heir,[6] making him the favored child.[9][12] Conversely, Taiso was incapable of understanding or appreciating Sozin's often unusual, visionary, and reformist interests, dismissing them as "childish fantas[ies]". When the prince informed his father about his projects, he thus encountered only criticism. In private, Taiso even negatively compared Sozin's intelligence with Zeisan's, demanding that his son focus on "proper subjects" for a Fire Lord, much to Sozin's silent anger and frustration.[6] Sozin also disliked Taiso's wrathful and manipulative behavior, but did not dare to openly challenge his father.[5]
By his late teens, Sozin became easily worried about Taiso's health.[8] After Roku's revelation as the Avatar, Taiso ordered his son to manipulate their friendship to the benefit of the crown and the Fire Nation. Despite Sozin intensely disliking the idea on a personal level, he still went outwardly along with his father's plans.[5] Later, Taiso rudely rejected Sozin's proposal to research whether Ashō's stories were rooted in truth; despite officially heeding his father's rejection, the prince actually went behind Taiso's back to covertly organize an investigation.[6] Encouraged by Taiso's inability to punish him for this defiance, Sozin subsequently also searched for Wan Shi Tong's Library and ignored his father's protest letters.[13] In course of the Lambak Island conflict, the prince became increasingly dismissive of Taiso's abilities and ultimately decided to covertly build up his own power base to shape the Fire Nation regardless of his father's plans.[13][14]
When Taiso eventually died and Sozin inherited the throne, he remained committed to several of his father's ideas.[10] However, Sozin also believed that his predecessor had not been strong enough,[15] and disagreed with his traditionalist approach to politics.[9] Thus, Sozin eventually adopted more radical and imperialistic viewpoints as well as a much more aggressive policy.[8][9]
Zeisan[]
As a result of their parents' influence, Sozin never developed a good relationship with his sister Zeisan.[9][12] By the time of Sozin's ascension to the throne, Zeisan had become convinced that the Fire Nation Royal Family was "evil to the core" and thus conspired to overthrow her home country's monarchy. Accordingly, the siblings became fierce political rivals due to the their starkly differing viewpoints.[16][15] Sozin was outraged that Zeisan embraced the thinking of the Air Nomads, seeing the spread of Air Nomad philosophy in the Fire Nation as a major threat to his own policies and nationalistic thinking.[9]
When Zeisan declared her intention to join the radical Air Nomads of the Guiding Wind, Sozin correctly saw this as her attempt to openly challenge his power. From this point onward, their relationship deteriorated even further,[17] with both sides becoming more extreme in their actions.[18]
Sozin ultimately prevailed in the power struggle with his sister.[8][4] In his later reign, Sozin outlawed same-sex relationships in the Fire Nation,[16] possibly out of lasting spite for Zeisan who had been in love with Rioshon, an Air Nun.[16][9]
Allies[]
Dalisay[]
- "That was always the problem with vicious women who thought too much. Useful tools until they weren't. It was only a matter of time until Dalisay's mind also took her over the edge. As much as [he] had come to enjoy her company, he was prepared to do what would be necessary if he couldn't keep her in line."
- ―Sozin's thoughts on Dalisay.[19]
Sozin recruited Dalisay, his sister Zeisan's ex-girlfriend and a renowned scholar, as an agent in 66 BG.[6] Alongside Kozaru, she subsequently became one of his closest allies and advisors.[6][14] The prince concluded that Dalisay's intelligence and fighting skills were great assets,[6] and grew fond of her.[19]
As Sozin himself recognized, Dalisay's choice as an ally reflected his simultaneous attraction toward and mistrust toward strong and talented women: The prince highly valued the scholar's opinion and would have liked her to act less sycophantic,[6][19] yet constantly rebuffed her open criticism and was annoyed when she became more self-confident.[14][20][21] As he gradually became more sociopathic, Sozin started to see Dalisay as a "tool", concluding that he could just murder her if she turned against him at some point.[19] After the Lambak Island conflict, Dalisay helped to kickstart Sozin's secret weapons and research program.[14]
Khuchtei[]
Khuchtei was one of many officials who supported Sozin's aggressive policies during his rule as Fire Lord. As the Minister of Education, Science, and Technology during his early reign, she attempted to acquire resources and technologies to further his plans at all costs.[22]
Kozaru[]
Kozaru was a criminal and mercenary who entered Sozin's service after besting one of his firebending teachers. Though Roku advised the prince that she could not be trusted due to her background, Sozin considered Kozaru a valuable ally for the same reason: Concluding that she was predictable due to her greed, Sozin believed in her loyalty as long as he provided substantial rewards.[6] Indeed, Kozaru would be a reliable advisor and supporter to the prince during the Lambak Island conflict, both as a fighter as well as by providing him with access to the criminal underworld.[6][13][23]
However, Sozin also tended to underestimate Kozaru's intelligence and social skills.[6][14] Unlike many others, the mercenary realized his willingness to do anything to achieve his goals, including the murder of allies and friends, and his potential to become a despotic tyrant.[24]
Mio[]
Mio was a trusted bodyguard of Sozin during his early reign as the Fire Lord, and utterly loyal to him.[25][26] She was consequently willing to operate as one of his covert agents during the covert struggle against Zeisan.[27]
Zianda[]
Having already served as an official under Taiso, Zianda was an eager supporter of Sozin and craved the Fire Lord's approval.[25] As a result, he devised a plot to discredit both Zeisan as well as the Guiding Wind with Sozin's tacit support.[25][27]
Neutral[]
Ta Min[]
In his youth, Ta Min mainly interested Sozin due to the fact that Roku had a crush on her. He repeatedly encouraged Roku to talk to her, but Roku was never brave enough to do so until his Avatarhood was announced.[8][5] Afterward, Ta Min's father tried to marry his daughter to Sozin; however, neither the prince nor the noblewoman had any interest in a romantic relationship. Instead, Sozin decided to use the situation to turn Ta Min into an agent: He offered her royal support and jobs so that she could work as a diplomat in accordance to her actual wishes, and in return she helped him in intelligence operations. Ta Min accepted the offer.[7]
In her first mission for the prince, Ta Min was tasked by Sozin to deliver a letter to Roku. The prince knew that by sending Ta Min as the messenger, the Avatar was more likely to respond to the letter's request. Regardless, Sozin did not fully trust Ta Min with all his knowledge regarding the request.[7] Later, Ta Min was caught up in the fake assassination attempt on Roku by another agent of Sozin;[13][28] the prince later expressed annoyance at the fact that Ta Min had been endangered in the attack.[13]
After the Lambak Island conflict's conclusion, Sozin deployed Ta Min as a spy in Omashu. To the prince's annoyance, Ta Min proved to be a unreliable agent,[14] and ultimately grew increasingly close to Roku.[29] Years later, Sozin attended Ta Min's wedding, and the two were seemingly on cordial terms at the time.[8] Ta Min remained deeply loyal to the Avatar after he and Sozin became open rivals.[8]
Enemies[]
Jialun[]
Sozin already began to see the regime of Earth King Jialun as a threat when he was still a prince.[6] As part of the Lambak Island conflict in 66 BG, Sozin tried to frame Jialun for an assassination attempt on Roku and Ta Min.[28][13] After becoming Fire Lord, the Earth Kingdom's ruler became one of Sozin's main international rivals, with the two rulers clashing over ownership of Natsuo Island.[30]
Malaya[]
Sozin first met Malaya, a Lambak Clan native, when he sought to protect Roku on Lambak Island.[31] At the time, Malaya had become an ally to the Avatar, and -having already heard tales of Sozin by Roku and Gyatso- quickly recognized the prince. The native warrior also realized the extent of Sozin's manipulative and ruthless nature, seeing him as similar to her hated former superior, clan chief Ulo. In contrast, Sozin initially dismissed Malaya as a mere local,[31][32] though developed respect for her upon witnessing her combat skills. He subsequently offered her a position in his royal guard.[19][32]
However, Malaya had already resolved to murder Sozin by this point, seeing him as a source of evil and bad influence on Roku. Unbeknownst to her, the prince recognized her intent. When Malaya turned against him when they were alone, Sozin thus gained the upper hand and murdered her in cold blood. Though somewhat shaken after killing her, he reasoned that he had no choice in the situation, seeing his own survival as neccessary so that he could aid his friend Roku.[19] Sozin later claimed that Malaya had been killed by falling stone in an accident, a lie that was believed by the Avatar.[33]
Guiding Wind[]
Upon becoming Fire Lord, Sozin worried about the growing influence of the Air Nomads in the Fire Nation. As a result, he attempted to counter by employing propaganda and secret schemes. As it was a radical Air Nomad sect, the Guiding Wind became an early focus of Sozin's activities; he attempted to frame the group as violent extremists, for instance using Guiding Wind sabotage operations to justify the closure of the Fire & Air Center of Learning.[27][34]
When Zeisan joined their ranks, Sozin saw the Guiding Wind as a direct challenge to his reign considering their anti-royalty stance and support for his sister's plans.[17][15]
Rioshon[]
Rioshon was an Air Nun who was secretly in love with Zeisan, and thus often covertly aided the princess. As a result, Rioshon regularly found herself opposing Sozin's underlings and schemes.[16] At first, Sozin was not fully aware of the true connection between his sister and the Air Nun. However, he suspected enough to distrust Rioshon and put her under surveillance by his agents whenever she visited the Fire Nation.[15]
Roku[]
Sozin and Roku grew up together, sharing a birthday and becoming great friends.[8] Alongside Roku's twin brother Yasu, they went on small adventures during their childhood such as exploring the Dragonbone Catacombs.[6] Over time, Sozin's circle of friends grew ever smaller until Roku was the only person whom he considered a true friend. Unlike anyone else in his life, Roku was always honest with him and expected no reward for companionship. In return for his comrade's emotional support, Sozin tried to encourage Roku to be more self-confident.[5]
In accordance with Fire Lord Taiso's secret order, Sozin gave Roku the Crown Prince headpiece as a parting gift.
By the time they were fifteen, prince often teased his comrade over a crush of a noblewoman, Ta Min. During a party celebrating their sixteenth birthday in 66 BG, Roku was informed by the Fire Sages that he was the Avatar. In awe, Sozin bowed before him.[8] During the following celebrations, Sozin brought Roku to a palace rooftop where they could talk in private; the two shared some final banter and their inner doubts, with the prince trying to impart some wisdom about public appearances to the Avatar.[5] Before the official goodbye ceremony for Roku, Sozin again met his friend to ease his mind over the upcoming Avatar journey as well as gift him Crown Prince headpiece as a sign of their lasting friendship.[8] In reality, the prince had been ordered by his father to gift the crown in order to manipulate Roku into being loyal to the Fire Nation; Sozin went along with this move despite his misgivings and tried to internally justify it.[5] Sozin and Roku ultimately parted as "dear friends",[17] and the prince felt a deep sadness over their division, cursing the Fire Sages, Air Nomads, and the world for separating them.[5] Soon after Roku had begun his Avatar journey, Sozin secretly contacted him and requested his aid in a conflict with Earth King Jialun.[7]
After Sozin's ascension to the throne, some of Roku's associates like Taqukaq began to covertly oppose the Fire Lord's policies.[22][35] However, the friendship of the two remained strong. When Sozin and Roku finally reunited in person in 54 BG, the Fire Lord happily embraced the Avatar and discarded all formalities. A few months later, Sozin gladly served as Roku's best man during the latter's wedding. Their relationship began to crack when Sozin used the wedding to reveal his imperialistic plans to Roku, horrifying the Avatar. In turn, Sozin was upset that his long-time friend could not see the value of his ideas.[8]
Seventeen years later, Sozin began to implement his most radical ideas by conquering Earth Kingdom territory and setting up Fire Nation colonies. Roku confronted him and warned him to back down, but the Fire Lord was outraged over this behavior and iniated a fight. Roku easily defeated Sozin, but spared him in memory of their past friendship. The two did not talk again for 25 years. Cowed but bitter, the Fire Lord secretly continued his preparations for a global war of conquest despite Roku's final warning.[8]
Sozin left Roku to die, knowing he could dominate the world without the Avatar's interference.
In 12 BG, Roku's island experienced a massive volcanic eruption; even from the Fire Nation Capital, Sozin could see the smoke of the catastrophe. Remembering their old relationship, the Fire Lord hurried to the island and assisted Roku in an attempt to contain the eruption. Ultimately, the effort of the two was not enough, and Roku was hit by a geyser of poisonous gases. At this moment, Sozin realized that the Avatar had been the only obstacle for his own plans, and left Roku to die instead of helping him.[8]
Skiri[]
Skiri was the chief of the Water Tribes during Sozin's early reign, and strongly opposed the Fire Lord's imperialistic ambitions.[36]