Royal Caldera City - Fire Nation Capital
Located in a crater at the summit of a dormant volcano, this elite area is home to many of the Fire Nation's wealthiest and most important nobles, and many who do not actually live in the Capital full-time still maintain households here; Mai's father had a home here in which he resided until he was promoted to Governor of New Ozai. This area also houses the Fire Lord's Palace, the central Fire Sage Temple, villas for member's of the Fire Lord's extended family, numerous lush gardens and ceremonial plazas. Fire Nation commoners are not allowed to enter Caldera, except by invitation of the Fire Lord, which rarely happens. Due to the limited space in the crater, many of the upper-class residences here are not as large as those in other parts of the Fire Nation; Indeed, many nobles who keep a residence in Caldera often have much larger and more spacious estates elsewhere. As a result, many of the mansions in Caldera tend toward more vertical architecture, attempting to get the maximum floorspace out of every inch of land possible, and in the competition to have a place on the mountaintop, an increasing number of nobles are building homes further up the spiky peaks lining the crater.
The zigzaging switchback road to the mountain's summit is very heavily fortified; the narrow path lined with dozens of watchtowers, guardhouses and bunkers. The defences are designed so that that in case of invasion, the defenders will always be able to retreat to higher ground and be able to rain fire and projectiles down upon their enemies.
The zigzaging switchback road to the mountain's summit is very heavily fortified; the narrow path lined with dozens of watchtowers, guardhouses and bunkers. The defences are designed so that that in case of invasion, the defenders will always be able to retreat to higher ground and be able to rain fire and projectiles down upon their enemies.
The Fire Nation Royal Palace
The Fire Nation Royal Palace is the home of the Fire Lord and his family. It is the seat of the Fire Nation government, and is one of the most recognizable structures in the Fire Nation. It is located at the center of the Caldera City crater that is part of the Fire Nation Capital.
Within The Fire Nation Royal Palace - The Throne Room
Also known as the War Room, this is where the Fire Lord makes most of his decisions and also where he formulates plans with his military and civilian advisers. The throne room has many black pillars with elaborate gold bases that support the roof, and has black tiled floors, all designed to reflect the firelight. The Fire Lord sits on an ornate covered throne on a higher platform, and is always surrounded by a wall of fire. A enormous bas-relief image of a dragon breathing fire adorns the wall behind the Fire Lord. The imposing atmosphere is designed to instill awe and fear in all who enter, intimidating all who face the Fire Lord.
At first the throne room was much smaller than the current, but after Avatar Roku destroyed much of the chamber, Fire Lord Sozin expanded it to what it is now. Before its rebuilding, it did not sport the large pillared
At first the throne room was much smaller than the current, but after Avatar Roku destroyed much of the chamber, Fire Lord Sozin expanded it to what it is now. Before its rebuilding, it did not sport the large pillared
Within The Fire Nation Royal Palace - The Agni Kai Chamber
Another chamber holds an indoor Agni Kai arena complete with seating for large audience, used to settle disputes of the palace. The Fire Nation practice of Agni Kai (or "fire duel") has long been used to solve conflicts. Anyone challenged to an Agni Kai must accept or be branded as a weakling. On the other hand, anyone who steps into the Agni Kai chamber knows it could be his or her last fight. These duels have claimed the lives of many Firebenders, and they've been even more unforgiving to people who have shown mercy on their opponents.
Within The Fire Nation Royal Palace - The Royal Gallery
The Royal Gallery of the palace is a hallway which contains large portraits of previous Fire Lords, including those of Ozai, Azulon, and Sozin. Each portrait depicts a Fire Lord holding aloft fireball to signify mastery over Firebending, as well as imagery which summarizes events during their rule. For example, Sozin's portrait features Firebending soldiers, a scroll, and a comet, signifying his military buildup, the beginning of the War, the many reforms under his rule, and of course, the coming of the Great Comet which now bears his name.
Fire Lord Ozai would spend many long hours in the Portrait Gallery when he was still a Prince, staring at the images of his forefathers, hoping they would provide him some guidance
Fire Lord Ozai would spend many long hours in the Portrait Gallery when he was still a Prince, staring at the images of his forefathers, hoping they would provide him some guidance
Within The Fire Nation Royal Palace - The Courtyards
In the courtyard, the nobles gather to get a first sight of the Royal Family members at dawn. Zuko was shown being greeted by a large group of admirers and fangirls in the courtyard. The area between the walls and the palace is barren and devoid of any cover, ensuring that potential assassins and spies attempting to infiltrate the palace will likely be spotted by the numerous guard towers.
Within The Fire Nation Royal Palace - The Spa
The royal spa is the royal family's own private spa. This was a favored area for Princess Azula and as such she could often be found here getting her hair washed and nails manicured.
Coronation Temple and Plaza
The Coronation Temple and Plaza dates back hundreds of years. Located southeast of the palace near a lake, it is the ceremonial spot where new Fire Lords are crowned, and where the funerals of previous Fire Lords are held. Therefore, it is symbolically significant that Zuko and Azula's Agni Kai took place here. This was the location of Zuko's coronation following the War, where Zuko proclaimed before a large crowd of the world's citizens that he would dedicate his rule towards rebuilding the war-torn world.
Capital City Prison
The Capital City Prison or Prison Tower is a large, fortified stone tower located in the Fire Nation, inside the hollow volcanic crater that forms the imperial capital. Highly prioritized criminals are kept here, although it is unknown whether this prison or the Boiling Rock holds more infamy. Iroh was one of the few prisoners being held within the penitentiary, until he managed to break himself out. Some Kyoshi Warriors were imprisoned here also. After the failed Invasion on the Day of Black Sun, the prison was used to house many of the captured invaders and war prisoners, like Bato, until their move to the Boiling Rock. After Fire Lord Ozai was defeated by Aang, he was incarcerated here.
The interior consists of various cells made of stone with cages, which are watched over by guards like Ming. This design allows guards to enter without being attacked (it should also be noted that even though the prisoner is locked in the cage, the actual cell door is generally left unlocked).
The interior consists of various cells made of stone with cages, which are watched over by guards like Ming. This design allows guards to enter without being attacked (it should also be noted that even though the prisoner is locked in the cage, the actual cell door is generally left unlocked).
Fire Sages Capital Temple
The Fire Sages Capital Temple is a temple located in the Fire Nation Capital, directly north of the Fire Lord's Palace. It is run by the Fire Sages, and holds secret catacombs beneath it, referred to as the Dragon Bone Catacombs. It is here where the Fire Avatars go after being told of their status, as Avatar Roku did.
The temple's architectural layout was not shown very well, although it seems to be very similar to the temple on Crescent Island. The temple is divided into three sections, and surrounded by a small wall. An entrance to the catacombs beneath it is placed near the entrance of the temple, and can only be opened using Firebending.
The temple's architectural layout was not shown very well, although it seems to be very similar to the temple on Crescent Island. The temple is divided into three sections, and surrounded by a small wall. An entrance to the catacombs beneath it is placed near the entrance of the temple, and can only be opened using Firebending.
The Dragon Bone Catacombs
The Dragon Bone Catacombs are underground passageways located beneath the temple that hold many rooms and many secrets about Fire Nation history. A narrow hallway leading to Sozin's coffin room is aligned with the skulls of dead dragons. In the room, a statue of Sozin containing the testament can be found, and it can only to be opened with Firebending. The catacombs are lit by several torches perched on the walls. It is possible that all the other corpses of past Fire Lords are in the catacombs, though this has not been confirmed.