Than
From Avatar Wiki, the Avatar: The Last Airbender database
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| Than | |
| Biographical information | |
| Nationality | Earth Kingdom |
| Physical description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Personal Information | |
| Allies | Ying, Than's Sister, Hope, Aang, more... |
| Enemies | Fire Nation |
| Chronological and political information | |
| First Appearance | |
| Voiced By | Brian Tochi |
Than is an Earth Kingdom refugee heading to Ba Sing Se with his family. He is a jolly man who is always happy to say hello to fellow refugees.
Than is a caring husband with a level head. He appears to try to keep an optimistic, sometimes even cheerful outlook on things, and is always there to comfort and offer words of hope to his wife when she becomes discouraged.
[edit] History
After their home in the south was raided by the Rough Rhinos, with his then-pregnant wife, Ying and his sister, he began the trek to Ba Sing Se to begin a safer life there for his family.
Aang and his friends are about to leave a waterfall, when they run into Than and his family. Katara invites them to travel with them, but the Than tells them that the Serpent's Pass is far too dangerous. Instead, they plan on traveling via an underground ferry system that leads refugees to Ba Sing Se. Aang and the others agree to travel with them.
Back at the station, the clerk is turning out to be extremely strict and ruthless. Than and the family shows up again, looking for Aang. Someone has stolen all their belongings, including their passports and tickets. Aang tries to get the clerk to give them replacements, but she refuses, complaining that she can't bend the rules. With no other choice for the family, Aang gives up their tickets and offers to guide them through the Serpent's Pass.
The group reaches the pass, which, seemingly against its name, is very straight, but very narrow. Much of it is barely wide enough for people to pass through single file. Ying seems to lose hope, and Aang says that perhaps it is best that they do abandon their hope, and instead focus on the present need to cross the pass.
As the group travels along a sheer cliff side, Fire Nation forces patrolling the water are pointed out, Suki tells them that they are rumored to be working on a secret project. As they continue, Than falls when the ground under him crumbles. Toph saves him, but the falling rocks draw the attention of the patrol ship, which launches a fireball at them. Aang leaps into action, knocking the ball back and striking their engines. The group runs to the shelter of an outcropping wall of rock, leaving the ship behind to tend to its damage.
That morning, Aang's group comes to a large setback: a portion of the pass is currently underwater. Katara steps forward, parting the waters to allow them to pass. As the path gets deeper, Aang helps her, forming a bubble of air for them to walk underwater safely. As it turns out, Serpent's Pass is named (and feared) not for its shape, but for the gigantic sea serpent that swims in the surrounding waters. The serpent attacks the bubble, forcing Toph to raise the sea-floor under their feet. This strands them in the middle of the water, with the serpent circling around. Aang attacks the serpent, telling Katara to get the others across while he distracts it. Katara creates an ice bridge for the others to cross.
The group finally crosses the Serpent's Pass, just in time for Ying to go into labor. Katara, who has had experience in birthing children, quickly takes charge. The baby, a girl, is born with no complications, thanks to Katara. Aang, seeing the family coming together, renews his hope, which is what the family decides to name the baby, Hope.
Than and his family eventually reach Ba Sing Se and they establish a residence in the Lower Ring. Than is later seen clutching his distressed family as the Fire Nation invades Ba Sing Se. It is likely that they are now living peacefully now that the War has ended in an Earth Kingdom victory.
