Western Island / Nishi No Shima

The Western Island or Nishi No Shima (西の島, meaning "Island of the West" in English) is the biggest surrounding island. It is a huge jungle full of animals and biodiversity.

There are not many inhabitants and most of them live in Shinsui, the main village. However there are a few others villages and camps around the island.

The island is controlled by the city of Saku Haru. Even if there is not proper ruling on the Western Island, elders from all the villages occasionally meet in Shinsui to discuss important matters. They also sometimes go to the temple for prayers and traditions.

The whole island is not very technology-advanced. Only original artifacts can be found.

Location
It is located to the west of the main island, in the middle of the Western Sea.

Geography and Important Places
The island being a huge jungle, there are many places undiscovered and deserted.

In the middle of the jungle, there is a temple for the people to come praying. However, it is not really used nowadays.

A port has been built centuries ago, when the island became part of the Empire. It is located to the south-east of the Island and connects with a port on the main land.

To the south-west of the island, there is a big camp that becomes a refugee camp after the political problems.

Legends
The legend of the four mystical creatures used to be very important for the people of the island. Nowadays, the young generation mostly forgot about it.

It is said that a 3000 year-old tortoise lives in the forest, hidden from humans. It would be the first and original earth bender. The legend also says the first earth benders learnt from the tortoise itself and lived on the Western Island before moving all around the realm to teach their art.

Nowadays, all types of benders and non-benders live here.

Even if this legend isn't as important as it used to be, the people of the West still have a really strong connection to nature and animals. This is the reason why most people don't eat meat and are mostly fishers.