Ashamed but not ashamed to admit it, but I have quite a fascination with this, and am working/thinking on a fanfic that explores Avatar lore more scientifically. A major perspective is through a Zaofu engineer-type character who looks at spirits, his own bending, and other lore like the portals or vines more scientifically.

That’s where my brain goes. Shrug.

I was hoping we’d get a “bender engineer” character in canon, but that doesn’t appear to be the direction they’re going.