# Airbending

The art of freedom. Practitioners manipulate air currents through circular,
sweeping motions that build momentum into gusts, cyclones, and compressed
blasts.

## Philosophy

Air is the element of freedom. The practice demands internal peace and
detachment from worldly concerns. Attachment to material wealth or earthly
desires actively erodes ability - this is not metaphor, it is mechanical.
The more spiritually unburdened the practitioner, the stronger the bending.

The combat philosophy is "negative jing" - evasion and redirection rather
than confrontation. Find the path of least resistance. Turn the opponent's
force against them. An airbender's first instinct is to move, not to block.

## Fighting Style

Almost purely defensive. Dynamic movement over static power. Practitioners
reposition constantly, flowing around attacks rather than meeting force with
force. Staffs and fans can enhance precision and power.

The style derives from real-world Baguazhang (Eight Trigram Palm), known
for its circular footwork and evasive pivoting.

## Core Techniques

**Offensive**

- Air blast: compressed jet from hands, feet, or mouth
- Air punch/kick: rapid-fire compressed bursts from limbs
- Air ball: spherical compressed air, can levitate objects or trap opponents
- Air bomb: omnidirectional concussive force on landing (area attack)

**Defensive**

- Air shield: deflecting gust (redirects, doesn't block)
- Air cushion: breaks falls
- Evasive movement: the primary defense - just don't be there

**Utility**

- Air scooter: compressed ball for rapid ground movement
- Gliding: sustained flight with a glider staff
- Enhanced agility: augmented jumps and speed

## Specialized Techniques

### Flight

True unaided flight. Requires complete release of all earthly attachments -
not just material possessions but emotional bonds. Extraordinarily rare
because the requirement is genuinely difficult: you must let go of everyone
and everything that tethers you to the world. Most practitioners never
achieve it because the philosophy that makes them good people (compassion,
love, connection) is exactly what prevents flight.

### Spiritual Projection

Projecting consciousness as a visible spirit form. An advanced metaphysical
application requiring deep spiritual discipline. The projected form can
interact and communicate but has no physical substance.

## Strengths

- Excels against multiple opponents (large, sweeping area attacks)
- Supreme mobility and evasion
- Works everywhere - air is always available
- No external resource dependency
- Strong synergy with spiritual/metaphysical abilities

## Weaknesses

- Pacifist tradition limits lethal application (cultural, not mechanical)
- Primarily defensive - struggles to end fights decisively
- Worldly attachment literally weakens the practitioner
- No natural sub-art for direct harm (contrast: bloodbending, lightning)
- Philosophy conflicts with aggressive play styles

## Origin

Learned from flying bison, massive creatures whose tails generate powerful
wind currents. The arrow markings on bison inspired the traditional master
tattoos. Culturally, all practitioners were born with the ability due to
their society's deep spiritual foundation - suggesting that spiritual
environment may influence who manifests the talent.
