This is the first of what I hope will be many Documents: they're not integral to the plot, but they'll give you some non-essential backstory, as well as a few hints. Enjoy!

-~0X0~-

DATE: [REDACTED], 101 A.C

DEST: Si Wong (Owl's Nest, Inner), [REDACTED] (Owl)

SNDR: Lagoon Central Political Monitoring Office, Captain (Polit.) Dorje

Owl,

I know you'll probably end up with a final version of the Armistice treaty through your own (forgive the pun) foxy methods, but I figured a summation from the Political Office might be useful for your records. Officially, the final printed treaty will be delivered and signed sometime in the next week, but all the details have been finalized. This is technically the modified version of the précis of the Office's analysis, with a few of my comments attached. Enjoy.

The Three Nations are to be represented by the following:

Earth: Bumi of Omashu, regent of the Earth Kingdom, and temporary King of Ba Sing Se

Water: Waterbending Master Pakku of the Northern Water Tribe, under advisement from Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe

Fire: Ex-General Iroh, uncle and Chief Advisor to Fire Lord Zuko

ADDENDUM: In the role of moderator and interested party, His Honour Avatar Aang of the Air Nomads will be present when available

This was a real coup for the Lotus. Even though their military power's basically gone, they've still got more political influence than you can shake a stick at. And there's not much we can do about the influence of the three they've chosen. Bumi's got a lot of clout among the Water Tribe for his work breaking the Siege of Glacier Rock back in the early years of the war, he's an old friend of the Avatar's, and he's one of the most respected figures in the Fire Nation military academies. You'd probably be able to confirm this better than I, but I heard that Fire Nation strategists used to call him the 'Savannah Badgerfox' for his strategic acumen. Anyways. Pakku's not very popular in Fire Nation circles- there are a few confirmed reports of violence against POWs, and we all know how the Fire Nation feels about captured soldiers. As for Iroh- well, he tried to stop Zhao from killing the Moon Spirit, and he liberated Ba Sing Se, so he's respectable from the Earth and Water's point of view. As for the Fire Nation- less so. A lot of loyalists still see him as a traitor, but he's got the Fire Lord's ear, and he's a good friend of the Avatar, so there's not much they can do. Moving on.

The conference will take place aboard the Privateer's Guild flagship Freedom at a Premium. Representatives from the Three Nations may provide an ambassadorial guard of no more than 30 soldiers, 10 of whom are permitted to be Benders.

It was originally planned to have the conference in the Fire Nation Capital (spirits, why didn't they pick a better name?), or one of the abandoned Air Temples, but I'm sure you can imagine the political damage that would cause. The Privateer's Guild may be pirates and mercenaries in all but name, but they're the closest there is to a neutral party in this war. As for the low security- well, the Privateers are ridiculously well-armed, and they're being paid a very, very large sum of money. That isn't a concern.

The terms of the Armistice are as follows:

1. The Fire Nation will withdraw all military and civilian forces in the Earth Kingdom beyond the Haenguk Line, and allow the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes to take control of areas they abandon

2. The Fire Nation military presence in the Occupied Cities (or Colonies) is to be minimzed. Police and military control duties will be overseen by a mixed force of Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe peacekeepers.

3. The Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe agree to release all civilian and military Prisoners of War, and to guarantee the safety of their return to their respective home countries.

3. i. All civilian refugees seeking to return to the Occupied Cities are to be accommodated and housed by a non-aligned civilian organisation to be established at a later date. In the meantime they are to be treated as freed military POWs.

4. The Fire Nation will pay its war guilt reparations in material goods, as follows:

4. i. The design blueprints for all current and next-generation Fire Nation warships, airships and armoured ground vehicles are to be distributed to the other nations.

4. ii. Fifteen percent of the Fire Nation's current raw materials output is to be shipped in equal proportions to the Earth Kingdom and both Water Tribes

5. A War Crimes Tribunal, incorporating representatives from all 3 nations, will be established to investigated claimed atrocities and violations of human deceny.

6. All Fire Nation naval vessels are to return to that country's coastal waters. All warships of battlecruiser size and up are to be turned over to Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom control.

6. i. The Fire Nation will immediately demilitarize and demobilize its airship fleet.

That's the gist of it. All this really is a stopgap measure; the world needs to recover and get back on it's feet from the upheaval the Avatar's return has caused. Frankly, we expected something more devious from the White Lotus, but for all purposes this seems to be an entirely legitimate armistice. Admittedly, they could have done more to reduce the Fire Nation's military strength beyond removing their airships and a fair chunk of their Navy, but the military conservatives in the Nation would never stand for it. Though the Political Office wouldn't never admit it, we think this is a sign that the Lotus are moving away from direct conflict. Which is good for us, obviously.

-Dorje

DOCUMENT ARCHIVE:

ANNOTATIONS:

Owl, 101 A.C: A decent summation. He glossed over most of the economics. Ah well, another one for the archives

Kou Le, 107 A.C: 'We think this is a sign the lotus are moving away from direct conflict'? Wow, hindsight is a bitch.

Kamaru, 125 A.C: I would have to disagree with the Owl. I appreciate this is a somewhat informal document, but really, the Political Office should have better standards. Speaking of standards, Kou Le should be ashamed of himself- swearing, on an archived document? Really, now.

Owl, 125 A.C: Kamaru, you've been warned about commenting on Political Office records. Stay out of these files.

Kamaru, 125 A.C: Oh, go stuff your bea- [ORIGINAL ANNOTATION COPY SEVERELY DAMAGED]

Owl, 125 A.C: Let that be a warning to the rest of you.

Haoren, 178: This document has been digitized as per the Si Wong Retrieval Project, with the Owl's permission. The bloodstains over Kamaru's rant have been edited away for reading convenience.

Owl, 203 A.C: In light of the Incident at the Si Foundation base in Yue Crater, this document is being moved to the 'Ember Group/Trans-dimensional Anomalies' section.

Lohengramm, 256 A.C: Owl, might I recommend this be moved into the section relating to the Elrics? It could be valuable background information.

Owl, 256 A.C: A copy has been crosslinked. I've also forwarded it to the Amestrian network for referencing.

Lohengramm, 256 A.C: Much appreciated. Thank you.