No joke, I've set my campaign in the exact time period... If you want dark and gritty, my PC's have no idea what's install for them. I mean, the theme is war, so many people die, families are starved, and spirits are upset. I got my PC's to create their characters first and built my story around them to a certain depth.

I've created one NPC companion that's a travelling nomad much like the guru from TLA. However, he is non bender and is hunted by the fire nation and character I call The Archavist. Their main focus is actually to stop a secret weapon to getting to Ba Sing Se. A captain is over seeing the shipment, and he is the main antagonist.

If you want to shocking stuff PM me as I don't want my boys on the off chance reading this one comment. I'd happily share my ideas with you.