Ukiuk

Ukiuk was a waterbending member of the Jasmine Island protectors during the 1st century BG. Originally an impoverished migrant from the Northern Water Tribe, he greatly valued and fiercely defended his new home Jasmine Island. As a result, he became involved in efforts to disrupt Magistrate Emerald's conspiracy to annex the island into the Earth Kingdom.

History

Ukiuk was born and grew up in the poorer sectors of the Northern Water Tribe capital of Agna Qel'a. Relying on crime to survive, he learned that "the best way to get what he wanted was to skirt the rules". Fed up with his birthplace, Ukiuk eventually stowed away on a vessel to leave for a better life. The ship brought him to the independent Jasmine Island, and the young outlaw quickly realized just how different the islanders' culture was from what he had known. Instead of shunning him, several families took care of Ukiuk and acted as his "surrogate parents".^[2] In response to this kindness, he became deeply protective of Jasmine Island and joined the local security forces – the protectors – to defend it from threats.^[1][2]

At the time of Ukiuk joining the protectors, the latter were in crisis due to the machinations of Magistrate Emerald, the civilian representative of the Earth Kingdom on Jasmine Island.^[3] Emerald was organizing a creeping coup, undermining the island's old power structures to eventually annex it into the Earth Kingdom, though he did so slowly and covertly.^[4] The protectors were among the organizations targeted by Emerald, and he managed to gradually dismantle them by replacing them with Earth Kingdom soldiers who could allegedly better defend the islanders. Ultimately, Ukiuk became one of the few loyalists who remained protectors even as their organization crumbled.^[3]

The situation changed, however, when Emerald imprisoned two Guiding Wind revolutionaries, namely Fengying and Sakuru. This drew the attention of the Guiding Wind's leaders, Khandro and Zeisan, who traveled to Jasmine Island to help their followers. Conversely, Zeisan quickly realized that Emerald had largely subverted or disempowered the island's leadership, and thus opted to covertly ally with the few remaining protectors. She informed them of her suspicions regarding the magistrate, and asked them to help rescue Fengying and Sakuru to disrupt Emerald's schemes. The protectors readily agreed, and Ukiuk alongside Qi Wei, Pushi, Sukaya, and Baljin subsequently broke into the local Earth Kingdom base.^[1][5][6] This mission ultimately led to a series of events which revealed Emerald's conspiracy to the public. Together, the protectors and Guiding Wind members foiled the magistrate's plans and secured Jasmine Island's independence.^[5][7]

Personality

Shaped by his childhood of poverty and crime, Ukiuk tended to be rebellious, proactive, and to distrust law, preferring to bend rules in order to do what he saw as morally correct.^[2] He was willing to do everything to help those he held dear and hoped to make the world a better place.^[1][2] This viewpoint also inspired his fierce loyalty toward Jasmine Island, and led him to remain a protector even as the organization was declining.^[1][3]

Abilities

Ukiuk was a skilled and precise waterbender. In combat, he usually floated several small orbs of water around himself which he used to generate small, focused and rapid attacks. Furthermore, he was experienced in sabotage actions.^[2]

Trivia

• Ukiuk is a pregenerated character for players to use in the Ceremonies & Secrets campaign, using The Adamant playbook.^[2]

References