Post by ForsakenSora✖ on Oct 2, 2011 10:19:38 GMT -7
Air Bending
Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly problems and concerns, and finding peace and freedom was the key to solve their flaws in life. Airbenders continually sought for spiritual enlightenment, and, as a result, all children born into the Air Nomads were benders. The first Airbenders learned their art from the Sky Bison. The key to Airbending is flexibility and finding and following the path of least resistance. Airbending is notable for being almost entirely defensive, as well as the most dynamic of the four Bending Arts. Airbenders can overwhelm many opponents at once with large and powerful attacks that could prove fatal; however, due to the pacifist nature of the Air Nomads, such attacks are rarely used. Airbending is based on the Ba Gua style of martial arts, also known as "circle walking" or "Eight Trigram Palm", along with a small hint of Hsing Yi, also known as "mind heart boxing". These martial arts feature swift, evasive maneuvers that evoke the intangibility and explosive power of wind, drawing energy from the center of the abdomen.
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Air Manipulation: By using circular, evasive movements, Airbenders build up massive momentum; this buildup of energy is released as massive power. It also allows for wind-based counter-attacks that knock opponents off-balance, mimicking the sudden directional shifts of air currents. Level 1
Air Shield: The most common defensive tactic involves circling enemies, suddenly changing direction when attacked and evading by physical movement rather than bending. However, an Airbender can still deflect as needed by throwing up gusts of air close to their bodies as a shield. This is rarely to stop attacks directly and more often pushes the attack aside and away, conserving energy and allowing them to turn the movement into an attack at the same moment. Level 2
Air Blasts: A more offensive move involving a direct pulse or jet of almost solid wind from the hands or feet. The force of the attack is generated more from the bender's own power rather than assisted by momentum. This direct blast can reach further with greater accuracy and is used to inflict greater damage. Level 2
Air Barrier: This is a more powerful defensive technique where the entire body is surrounded by a dome of air that deflects attacks from all directions. Level 3
Gliding: Although all Airbenders can levitate or extend jumps via Airbending, most if not all Airbenders possess a glider for mid range flight. These hand-crafted portable wood and canvas structures can collapse into a staff for storage and as an aid when bending. In glider form, it is used in conjunction with bending to fly as long as the bender has the strength to maintain the air currents. With stronger winds, multiple people can be carried for short distances. As a normal staff, it can be used as a weapon in battle, to aid in bending, and even as a levitation aid when spun above the head like a helicopter propeller. Level 3
Air Bullets: This causes two or more marbles to spin in a circle between his hands. It could be used to shoot small objects, like marbles, at very high speeds, similar to bullets. Level 3
Air Punch/Kick: Another more offensive move than is typical of Airbending discipline, air punches or air kicks are small, compressed formations of air that can be fired off the fists or feet of an Airbender. Level 3
Air Swipe: The air swipe is a dual defensive and offensive technique in which an Airbender conjures a crescent-shaped construct of solidified air capable of deflecting colossal projectiles and sending them off-course. Level 3
Air Suction: A technique used to bring people or things towards the Airbender. Level 4
Breath of Wind: Very similar to the standard air jet but created from the mouth and lungs. It requires extremely good breath control to employ effectively. Size and focus is more easily controlled, from narrow jets that can strike targets as small as insects, to large gale force gusts capable of cooling magma into solidified rock. Level 5
Enhanced Speed: Airbenders enhance their movement in battle; they can run swiftly by decreasing air resistance around them and even sprint across or run up vertical surfaces by generating a wind current behind themselves to propel them forward. Level 5
Enhanced Agility: Air movements can also be used as a levitation aid. Airbenders jump high and far by riding on strong gusts of wind and can slow or deflect falls by creating cushions of air. The constant movement required by this art makes Airbenders naturally flexible and agile. Even without bending they can easily maneuver around an opponent by ducking, jumping, and side stepping, appearing to flow around their opponents without expending any energy at all, letting the opponent tire themselves out and thus creating exploitable openings. This conservation of energy combined with high stamina gives them an advantage in prolonged combat. Level 5
Air Funnel: Similar to an air vortex but on a smaller scale, this technique can be used as a cannon by creating a small air funnel through which small rock projectiles could be entered through the top and could be fired out of the opposite end. Level 5
Air Bomb: A technique which creates a powerful, outward-moving air current in all directions around the bender. Usually performed after landing on the ground from above, this Airbending form has great concussive force and the capacity to completely blow away anything within its radius. Level 5
Air Ball: An Airbender can create a compressed ball of air by moving their hands together in a circular motion. This technique has many applications such as levitating small objects or tripping opponents. Level 5
Multiple Target Attacks: An Airbender can send large, wide-spanning waves of air towards multiple enemies with one long, sweeping motion from an Airbending staff or from the bender's limbs. Level 6
Air Vortex: A spinning funnel of air of various sizes. This can be used to trap and disorient opponents or as a potent defense, since it will deflect and repel any objects and can even throw them back at an opponent. Level 7
Air Spout: Similar to the Waterspout, master Airbenders are able to rotate and control the direction of the Air Spout enough to levitate them off the ground and remain in the air for as long as they wish to or can maintain it. Level 8
Air Wake: By running in a circle and instantly building huge momentum, a master Airbender can shoot a blast of compressed air shaped like the user's body at a target. This move seems to have great concussive force. Level 8
Air Blades: A more offensive move than is typical of Airbending principle, this involves a focus slicing air current that can cut through stone or timber with relative ease. This is frequently conjured with a staff rather than the body, using the narrow profile of the object to create a more focused and precise air movement. This move could prove fatal if used on an individual. Level 8
Tornado: This is a smaller scaled version of the air vortex which Airbending masters can use as a means of both combat and transport. By encircling themselves in a spiraling air current, masters can travel at high speeds and even ascend near-vertical drops. Level 9
Flight: In the same way sky bison can fly and stay aloft for extended periods of time, a master Airbender can achieve this same feat by generating and controlling air currents around their bodies. Level 10
Air Scooter: The Air Scooter is a spherical "ball" of air that can be ridden balancing on it like a top. Level 10
Cloud Manipulation: A skilled Airbender or Waterbender can manipulate clouds easily to create various shapes. Level 12
Amplification: A specialized form of Airbending in which the bender is able to generate massive amplified sound waves with the help of Airbending. Level • 15
