Avatar:Gaoling
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<infobox theme-source="nation"> <image source="image" /> <title source="name"><default>Gaoling</default></title> <group> <header>Physical information</header> <label>Location</label> </group> <group> <header>Government</header> <label>Position</label> <label>Capital</label> <label>Form of government</label> <label>Head of state</label> <label>Religious authority</label> <label>Currency</label> <label>Ruler</label> <label>Owner</label> <label>Leader</label> <label>Administrator</label> <label>First appearance</label> <label>Last appearance</label> </group> <group> <header>Location on map</header> </group> <header>Image gallery (2)</header> </infobox> Gaoling is a large town located within a mountain range in the State of Gaoling, southern Earth Kingdom. An old and well-established settlement, Gaoling has a broad spectrum of citizens, ranging from the very wealthy, such as the Beifong family, to the extremely poor. It was also the site of the Earth Rumble tournament.[1]
The town remained untouched by the Hundred Year War.[1] Following Earth Queen Hou-Ting's death and the fragmentation of the Earth Kingdom in 171 AG, Gaoling became the center of the State of Gaoling. It later fell under the control of the Earth Empire, and after the empire's collapse, the town was selected to host the first democratic elections in the Earth Kingdom.[2]
History
In 296 BG, Lu Beifong held a celebration at the Beifong Estate in Gaoling to commemorate the victory of the alleged Avatar, Yun, against Tagaka and the Fifth Nation.[3]
Aang, Katara, and Sokka visited the town in the spring of 100 AG and attended an Earth Rumble tournament in search of an earthbending master for Aang. Their search was successful, as Toph Beifong joined the group to teach the Avatar earthbending, defying her parents' wishes.[1] In the decades following the Hundred Year War, Gaoling expanded in size and became more developed.[4]
After the fragmentation of the Earth Kingdom in 171 AG, Gaoling became the capital of its own state.[2] Sometime before 174 AG, the town was annexed by Kuvira and absorbed into her self-declared Earth Empire.[5] Following Kuvira's surrender in 174 AG,[6] King Wu selected the State of Gaoling to host the first democratic elections in the Earth Kingdom. Mayor Rhee prepared the town for the democratic transition, and voting booths were placed inside the city hall.
The town was visited by Wu and Team Avatar in 174 AG to oversee the elections and prevent an Earth Empire holdout under Commander Guan from disrupting the process. Shortly after their arrival, Guan's forces marched into Gaoling, resulting in a tense standoff until he announced his candidacy for the upcoming gubernatorial election.[2] This led to the Gaoling Crisis. In secret, Guan brainwashed many Gaoling residents; the victims subsequently paraded through the town proclaiming their loyalty to the Earth Empire and voting en masse for him, granting an overwhelming electoral victory. His scheme was ultimately exposed, and the Earth Empire remnant was dismantled through the intervention of Team Avatar, Kuvira, and the Beifong family. Guan's victims were treated in Gaoling's City Hall, and Wu later delivered a speech in the town.[7]
Layout and description
Gaoling lies in a valley surrounded by steep, rocky hillsides, and is located near the Foggy Swamp.[8][9] Most Gaoling residents are middle-class families who have lived in the town for generations. Its center features a bustling marketplace with ornately decorated buildings. The area serves as the hub of commerce and is filled with merchants, barkers, and shoppers. On the outskirts lie expansive estates inhabited by the wealthiest families, such as the Beifongs.[10]
Locations
Master Yu's Earthbending Academy
Built by Master Yu as a school for his students, the Earthbending Academy is a large building with a walled central courtyard. Before each class, Master Yu arranged rocks of various sizes in the courtyard for his pupils to practice earthbending. This open area provided an ideal training space where students could sling rocks without endangering passersby.[1]
Beifong Estate
The Beifong Estate is a large residence owned by one of the richest families in the southern Earth Kingdom. The property is surrounded by a large garden and displays the flying boar symbol above its front gate. The estate is guarded by at least two guards whose uniforms resemble those of Earth Kingdom soldiers, though they feature white and green coloring instead of the standard green and brown.[1]
Earth Rumble stadium
The Earth Rumble VI stadium is a large underground wrestling arena owned by Xin Fu. It features a rectangular stone platform on which earthbenders compete. Rows of seating surround the ring, though some areas are dangerous due to rocks being hurled into the audience. The stadium is illuminated by glowing green gemstones hanging from the ceiling. Residents pay admission to watch powerful earthbending masters compete for the title of champion.[1]
Gaoling City Hall
Gaoling's city hall is the primary municipal administrative building. It also served as the polling place for the Earth Kingdom's first democratic elections.[2][7]
Cabbage stand
Merchant Cai's family owned a cabbage farm and sold their produce at a roadside stand for several generations.[11]
Notable figures
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Trivia
- In the Avatar world, Gaoling is located in the south, which aligns with Toph's knowledge of Chu Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
- The clothing and hairstyles in Gaoling resemble those of the Tang Dynasty of ancient China.
- The name Gaoling is written as 高陵邑
(Gāolíng yì) in Chinese; 高
(Gāo) translates to "high", while 陵
(Líng) translates to "mausoleum". - This page about Gaoling was used as a reference point in the draft of Ruins of the Empire Part One.[4]
References
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