Taku is a largely abandoned city located on the shores of the United Republic of Nations,[1] formerly the northwestern Earth Kingdom.[5]
Centered on the small Mount Wuyao and located along important trade routes,[3][6] the city was an important center of commerce for centuries. In the early Hundred Year War, it was destroyed by the Fire Nation due to its strategic location and importance to the Earth Kingdom.[5] In its place, a small Fire Nation colony was set up.[2]
History[]
Shang system and prosperity[]
Taku's primary purpose was to distribute cargo imported from ships throughout the entire Earth Kingdom,[5] while paper, silk, and perfumes were produced just beyond the city limits.[6] Following the Platinum Affair and the beginning of an era of extreme isolationism, Taku was chosen to be one of the four cities across the world that would become special territories open to a limited amount of international trade. The city was put under the purview of noble and merchant families from the Earth Kingdom, the Fire Nation, and the Water Tribes, which came to be known as shangs, and came to be resented by their citizens as a corrupt ruling class. Much like the other shang cities, Taku chose one of the shang merchants as a zongdu, an office that was elected in theory.[7] The city greatly profited from its new position, growing into an sprawling agglomeration infamous for the wealth and decadence of its ruling elite.[3]
Eventually, Zongdu Iwashi of Taku opted to work with other shang conspirators on the Unanimity project. When Taku was chosen to host a conference of the world leaders, the conspiracy prepared to unleash its secret weapon in year 17 of the era of Yangchen. To prevent this, Avatar Yangchen and her network infiltrated the city;[8] in the process, they cost Iwashi a fortune and destroyed his private yacht.[9] However, Yangchen's network could not uncover the location of the secret wepon in time. In an extremely risky move, Yangchen and her allies opted to confront the conspiracy's leaders Chaisee and Kalyaan inside Taku; this resulted in a series of deadly clashes, the destruction of Taku's gathering hall, and the defeat of the conspirators.[6][10][11] Yangchen subsequently convinced the four nations' governments to reform the shang system, with herself appointed the new ruler of the shang cities including Taku.[4]
By 296 BG, Taku's sage, Herbalist Pan, was one of the political rivals of the Earth Kingdom's leading politician Jianzhu. He consequently joined a plot by Chamberlain Hui to disempower Jianzhu, but the conspiracy failed and Pan was murdered.[12] Taku was conquered by the warlord Chin a few decades later. The city remained under Chin's rule until his death during a confrontation with Avatar Kyoshi.[13]
Ruination and colonization[]
When the Hundred Year War broke out in 0 AG, the Fire Nation recognized Taku's strategically important position. As a result, it was one of the first Earth Kingdom cities to be destroyed during the war. However, a small number of inhabitants remained in the area, and around 60 AG, a herbalist began teaching at the city's medical institute. Eventually, her students left to help the Earth Kingdom Army, and the herbalist became Taku's lone resident. She continued to maintain the institute, providing medical assistance for the wounded Earth Kingdom soldiers that would occasionally traverse the area.[14] Meanwhile, the Fire Nation established a colony near the old city, dubbing it "Taku Seaport".[2]
While journeying to the Northern Water Tribe in 99 AG, Team Avatar took shelter within an abandoned structure in Taku. Sokka had become sick, prompting Aang to search for ginger root so he could make a medicinal tea. He could not find the herb but did come across a map that revealed the location of the herbalist institute. Fearing Katara would also become sick, Aang quickly set out to consult the herbalist; however, he was forced to travel without using his glider as a lightning storm had begun. Two watchmen spotted Aang from within a scout house as he was running across a mountain walkway, and a horn was sounded to alert Fire Nation authorities that the Avatar had been found. Aang visited the herbalist, who told him that he needed to collect frozen frogs for his friends to suck on in order to cure them. Aang left and began his search, but was promptly captured by Yuyan Archers. After hours in captivity, Aang escaped and returned to the shelter he had left his friends at, and gave them the cure to their sickness.[15]
During their hunt for the Avatar, Zuko, Iroh, and June later encountered the herbalist at her institute. June's shirshu, Nyla, was able to detect that Aang had previously traveled through the area, and the group moved on after a brief conversation with the healer.[16] In summer 100 AG, Mamushi of the Fire Navy travelled to Taku Seaport with a large military force to uncover an ancient relic. She was confronted by Team Avatar, but was able to escape with her prize.[2][17]
After the Hundred Year War, the older Fire Nation colonies -including the one at Taku- became part of the United Republic of Nations.[1]
Government and customs[]
After the Platinum Affair, Taku was ruled by a zongdu.[3] Following the shang system's reform, however, the city was officially governed by Avatar Yangchen as "Protector".[4] The shang merchants of Taku employed private security forces that patrolled the city's streets and kept order.[8]
In Yangchen's era, the famous "great gong of Taku" signalled each new hour during daylight.[3] The gong was placed in a large tower.[8] The city traditionally celebrated a number of recurring festivals, including the Grave-Tidying Festival. These were often funded by the city government.[18]
The official symbol of Taku was a bronze gardenia topped by a gong tower.[8]
Layout and locations[]
By Yangchen's time, Taku could be roughly divided into the "Old Town", built on and along small Mount Wuyao, and the larger residential as well as commerical sectors covering the area between the mountain and the large harbor. In general, the city was well-built and prosperous, especially the Old Town with its upper-class villas. In addition, the city hosted a special international district including an official mansion for the Avatar.[3] Taku's streets were lined with shops and market stalls.[8]
Gathering hall[]
Taku's gathering hall was used for official meetings between zongdus and various world leaders during the shang system. In addition, the zongdus of Taku had rooms above the hall for their private usage.[19][8] The building was completely destroyed when Yangchen fought Chaisee's human weapon.[10]
Herbalist institute[]
The herbalist institute is located on top of the hill on which the village is situated.
The herbalist institute was one of the few Earth Kingdom establishments which survived the destruction of Taku. Hidden high in the mountains surrounded by natural growth, the institute was over one hundred years old and was formerly a thriving establishment until the settlement was deserted. After the Fire Nation attacked, only the herbalist and her beloved pet cat, Miyuki, resided there, though wounded Earth Kingdom troops would occasionally visit the institute seeking medicinal cures.[15] Its medicines were once sent all across the world. The location of the institute is important because the climate present is ideal for growing a variety of herbs needed to make medicines. A greenhouse is attached to the structure, holding an enormous supply of flora, some of which are considered to be the rarest in the world.[20]
Outskirts[]
In Yangchen's time, Taku's economic prosperity largely relied on industries located outside the city limits, with Zongdu Iwashi taking care to keep them out of sight for its wealthy residents. When she flew outside the city, Yangchen took note of several paper mills producing noxious fumes. Further along the trade routes, silkpillars were boiled for sericulture, while villages of workers mixed batches of perfume products by hand, with a huge number of them permanently damaging their sense of smell and taste in the process.[6]
Notable figures[]
Trivia[]
- The badgermole statue seen at Taku's entrance is similar to the two Avatar Kyoshi levitated using earthbending while in the Avatar State.[21]
- The ruins of the city are located very close to the postwar metropolis of Republic City, which, much like Taku was before the War, is also a center of commerce and exchange.
- According to the Avatar: The Last Airbender YouTube channel, Taku's conquest and annihilation was one of Azulon's first grand military victories.[22]
References[]
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