The Great Northern Way (伟大北道) of earthbending, also just called the Northern Way (北道) is a style of earthbending associated with the Northern provinces of what is now the Earth Kingdom. It was developed by the semi-nomadic and settled peoples of these regions contemporaneously with the Hung Gar style that developed in the central and southern areas in the region. It is culturally associated with the Yonggan and Ganjinese ethnic groups. It is noted for a formalized system of instruction and education that has persisted since the days of the Ri Dynasty.
Degrees of the Great Northern Way
Diamond - Grand Master
The paramount degree, only the grand master of the Great Northern Way is this (except that his or her designated successor may also be granted the degree sometimes.) It is granted by the Grand Master and five Emery Degree holders, or ten Emery Degree holders if the Grand Master is deceased and there is no Diamond Degree holder alive. The Grand Master and most of the Emery Degree holders live in the Yonggan homeland.
Emery - Master
Second-highest, dispensed by one Diamond or three Emery degree holders. Typically there are about thirty Emery degree holders in the Earth Kingdom, about twenty of which live in Yonggan lands or nearby in the North. Four of them were officers in the banner armies serving the Earth Kingdom when they existed.
Topaz (third-highest) - Teacher
Dispensed by one Emery or two Topaz degree holders. There are several hundred Topaz degree holders. A handful of them are officers in the banner armies. Considered qualified to teach the art to lower degree holders and initiates.
Quartz (fourth-highest) - Competent Practitioner
There are a few thousand Quartz Degree holders. A minority of military earthbenders trained in the Northern Way are this.
Obsidian (fifth-highest) - Journeyman
There are several thousand Obsidian degree holders. Most military earthbenders trained in the Northern Way hold this degree.
Initiate
This is the term for a student of the Northern Way who has not yet attained a degree.