The Triple Threat Triad is the oldest and largest of the triads that operate in Republic City.
Crime syndicates termed triads,[1] less commonly called bending triads,[2] have operated in the United Republic of Nations, most importantly its capital, Republic City, since the state's foundation.[3] By Avatar Korra's lifetime, many triads are strong in numbers and highly influential,[1] exploiting the country's booming economy for their own gain.[2]
Overview[]
Triads in Republic City are traditionally dominated by benders, with many recruiting only one type of bender.[4][2][5] This policy further contributes to the social conflicts which affect Republic City, as the triads fuel rivalries between fire, water, and earthbenders.[2][5] Many syndicates even exclude nonbenders completely,[2] although some such as the Triple Threat Triad, the Terra Triad, and the Creeping Crystal Triad include a small number of nonbenders.[6][7][8] Nonbenders may even be common in the city's smallest triads, such as the Badgermole Triad or the Spider Cat Triad.[9]
While the triads are not a new concept, as there have been criminal organizations and bandit gangs all throughout the history of the world, the exact form of structured, organized criminal syndicates in direct competition for "territory" within the city, taking advantage of its bounty and complexity to grow and profit, is a mix that belongs exclusively to Republic City.[10]
Triads use their abilities to extort Republic City's denizens, especially those who are unable to bend the elements.[6][2] They may position themselves as a protection racket for small business, but some of the larger and more successful triads may also hope to intimidate larger corporations for a share of their profits.[11] Gangs often engage in turf wars[6][12] and act as hired muscles for those willing to pay them, be it businessmen, politicians, or extremist groups.[1][6][13][14] Triads may engage in their own business ventures, and are well-positioned to profit off illegal activities, such as the city's street racing culture.[15] Triads also may be involved in running businesses that are legal on the surface, such as gambling or sports betting, sometimes hoping to manipulate the results so that they can reap even greater profits.[16]
Triads often prey on the disadvantaged, recruiting them at young ages to create willing and capable fighters for future battles. Sometimes, a triad stands as a kind of family for its members, and it might even funnel some of its resources back into a local community, but nearly always, they take these actions out of a desire for long-term selfish gain.[10] Triad members live dangerous lives, as they are not just targeted by law enforcement, but also rival triads. In addition, many triads suffer from often violent internal disputes and power struggles.[1]
The conflict between the triads and the police flares up and quiets down at different points across the city. It is not defined by constant struggle, so much as period flashpoints, particularly when a triad begins to act too overtly or openly. So far, the police have not been able to eliminate the triads, and the triads have not been able to utterly subvert the police, but their struggle is likely to continue for many years to come.[10]
Known triads in Republic City[]
- Agni Kai Triad — An all-firebender triad.[2]
- Badgermole Triad — Triad consisting of street children, mainly focused on organizing illegal underground races.[17]
- Cranefish Irregulars (ambiguous) — Viewed as something of a makeshift triad by some, as they have turned from selflessly wanting to preserve Old Cranefish Town to essentially acting as a protection racket.[18]
- Creeping Crystal Triad — A triad with many earthbending members named after jennamite.[19]
- Red Monsoon Triad — An all-waterbender triad.[2]
- Rising Flame Triad — A triad which consists of firebenders and people of proud Fire Nation heritage.[20][21]
- Scarlet Sword Triad — This gang suffered from the defection of a member, namely Nomin, who was subsequently targeted by his former comrades to prevent him from testifying to the police.[22]
- Spider Cat Triad — Crime group involved in the underground racing scene.[23]
- Terra Triad — A triad of earthbenders and nonbenders.[7][24]
- Tiger Monkey Triad — All-women crime group which is mainly focused on fixing, modifying, stealing, and racing motor vehicles.[23]
- Triple Threat Triad — A mixed triad, consisting of earth, fire, and waterbenders as well as nonbenders.
Trivia[]
- Triads are real-world criminal syndicates originating from China that can trace their origins back to anti-Qing secret societies, although many people erroneously use the term "triad" to refer to any Chinese organized crime group.
- Triads have also existed in the Earth Kingdom,[25] but the only of these whose origin is known, the Triad of the Golden Wing, emerged from the ancient daofei, differing from the United Republic crime groups.[26]