Avatar:Fu family
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<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Fu family</default></title> <group> <header>General information</header> <label>Leader(s)</label> <label>Notable members</label> <label>Founder(s)</label> <label>Headquarters</label> <label>Affiliation</label> <label>Purpose</label> <label>Engagements</label> <label>Status</label> </group> <group> <header>Chronological information</header> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> </group> <header></header> </infobox> The Fu family is one of three major clans that traditionally dominated the economy and politics of the small state of Jasmine Island. For much of history, the Fu family largely controlled the production of the different tea blends on the island.[1]
History
The Fu family largely descended from an early wave of Fire Nation migrants who settled on Jasmine Island in ancient times, intermixing with earlier and later groups of settlers. Over time, the family took charge of the tea making on the island, specifically the drying, cutting, boiling, and combining of tea plants and spices to create various brews. Over time, they gradually established a near-monopoly on this subject, the Fu brewers became a major power as tea was both culturally highly important to the islanders as well as the main export item of the local economy. The Fu family shared its status with the Qi family, which tended to the local jasmine plants, and the Jin family, which tended to the local tea plants.[1][2] Members of the Fu family and the two other important clans were traditionally more wealthy than other islanders, though the overall wealth disparity on the island was quite small for much of history.[2] The three clans also established the "Three Families Festival" to return some of their wealth to the rest of the islanders.[3]
In the early era of Avatar Kyoshi, the Fu family was led by Fu Mela, who also held a seat on the governing council. In accordance to the clan's traditions of the time, she had inherited the position as the youngest child of her mother, though Fu Mela felt badly prepared for this kind responsibility.[4][5] To make matters worse, her tenure as council member witnessed a major Fifth Nation pirate raid in the late 290s BG. During this raid, clan member Fu Karaq fought as a member of the Jasmine Island protectors against the corsairs.[6][7]
Over the next centuries, the power of the three great families started to decline, though they were still powerful.[8] By 50s BG, Jasmine Island became subject to substantial changes. These heavily affected the Fu family, as it had to increasingly compete with new traders and brewers, including foreign ones.[9] One clan member, Fu Iroha, responded to this development by fiercely trying to protect the island's ancient culture. Most notably, she publicly and aggressively opposed the proposal of Qi family representative Qi Togu to buy some of the traditionally communal land for money.[3] In contrast to Iroha, Fu Hong – a council member of this time – tried to exploit the new economic opportunities, even resorting to smuggling. Eventually, his activities were discovered by the Earth Kingdom's local representative, Magistrate Emerald, who ruthlessly blackmailed Hong to turn him into a political puppet. In this way, Fu Hong involuntarily supported Emerald's conspiracy.[10][9]
The subsequent period saw a further decline of the Fu family's fortunes, as the clan remained respected but was perceived as "much depleted and tarnished".[11] In the 90s AG during the late Hundred Year War, Jasmine Island was subject to a highly destructive Fire Nation invasion later dubbed "The Devastation". Amid the carnage, clan member Fu Meili fought against the invaders alongside other protectors.[11][12]
As a result of the reforms, changes, and growing international links after the Hundred Year War, the importance of the three great families continued to decline on Jasmine Island, although their members were still generally wealthy.[13] In the Korra era, Fu Chun rose to become part of the island's council, and used her position to support a preservationist policy to protect the local culture at the cost of new economic opportunities. Accordingly, she opposed platinum mining efforts.[14][15] Indeed, Jasmine Island was affected by a major disaster caused by K-N Mining in the 170s AG. Afterward, Fu Chun advocated for the locals to rebuild their homes, return to their roots as tea producers, ban platinum mining, and self-isolate.[16]
Known members
- Fu Chun (Korra era)[14]
- Fu Hong (Roku era)[9]
- Fu Iroha (Roku era)[3]
- Fu Karaq (early Kyoshi era)[7]
- Fu Meili (Aang era)[11]
- Fu Mela (family head, early Kyoshi era)[4][5]