Character Profile: Crown Prince Iroh

"There are reasons each of us are born. We have to find those reasons"
           -Crown Prince Iroh


Iroh is one of the Crown Princes of the Fire Nation, former General of its force, and Grand Master of the White Lotus Society. He is also a fine connoisseur of teas. As a Crown Prince he was also blessed with the natural ability of fire bending in which he excelled at. He even honed his skill to bend lightning. He is the eldest son of Fire Lord Azulon and Fire Lady Ilah. His younger brother is Ozai.

When he was younger, he was a great general of the Fire Nation and almost conquered the Earth Kingdom and broke through the capital city of Ba Sing Se. He was nicked named the "Dragon of the West". Sadly though the news of the death of his son, Lu Ten, lost his spirit in fighting. At this time his father also passed under mysterious circumstances, and his younger brother was appointed as the new Fire Lord. His brother stricken with grief still did not challenge Ozai and retired as general.

He was a gentle soul, well cultured, and  man with a large heart. Instead he had focused his time with the Imperial family treating his nephew and niece as his surrogate children. It was becuase of this, he had stayed with his nephew Zuko when he was banished. His nephew had questioned  his father during a council meeting, and suggested a peaceful resolution rather than a confrontational one. His father was embarrassed, as he saw this is a sign of weakness and this banished Zuko. Fire Lord Ozai would only welcome the prince back of he did the impossible, which was to find the Avatar.

General Iroh accompanied his nephew, guiding and mentoring the young Prince. During this time he also used the opportunity to make many contacts with a society that wished to ensure peace during the absence of the avatar. The White Lotus Society was a secret organization which had contacts within each of the major nations, as well with several powerful benders. During the hunt for the Avatar, he actually managed to achieve his dream for awhile by opening up a tea ship in Ba Sing Se, which soon became one of the most popular tea shops. Sadly though, the Fire Nation's ambition and his niece ruthlessness bought all this to an end.
Although he attempted to aid the Avatar, it was a great effort to over through his brother and was a great sacrifice on the part of many. Yet good won that fateful day, and he was able to re-open his shop once more in Ba Sing Se. He now spends his days brewing excellent teas and playing Pai Sho.

So why him? He is a strong character and yet gentle. He is a powerful individual who hesitates to use that power. He is an excellent role model, for he shows endurance through hardship, wisdom and grace under pressure, and the courage to do what is right. Plus he his a depth of knowledge and love of tea.