I CAN FIX HER JUST TRUST ME

Monks and Nuns

(Value: Detachment)

Anyway, for starters, let's throw out the idea of Air Nomads all living in temples in the sky. The temples are holy sites, and the monks/nuns are guardians of those sites. They're pretty much the only ones who aren't nomadic, though they do travel between temples on pilgrimages.

There are four temples because they represent the four winds. The North and South are all male, and the East and West are all female.

Rather than the children all also being monks, the kids at the temples are novices, who have not yet taken any vows. As such Aang isn't actually a monk but can choose to become one.

Children end up at the temples for lots of reasons. Sometimes they are abandoned and taken in, sometimes their parents submit them to their care because they think they'll have a better life with them. Either way, the monks themselves are completely celibate (being.. y'know.. monks)

Any person can become a monk or nun, regardless of whether they're an Airbender, but there's a complex history of temple leadership that means it is very rare for someone who bends a different element to convert, and those who try are often talked out of it.

The temples also care for White Flying Bison, which became dangerously endangered at one time.

Wanderers

(Value: Independence)

The most common Airbender lifestyle a 'Wanderer'. These are people who -either alone or as a small group- go from place to place with no fixed home or income carrying their belongings with them.

They tend to have crafts or trades that can move with them from place to place and make them money. Due to this they often arrive for markets and other big events. The artistic ones among them use their talents in dancing, acrobatics and music, putting on popular air shows or circuses (I've got my eye on u, Ty Lee 👀)

They are met with much more vitriol in the Earth Kindom, given the emphasis there on structure and hierarchy. The Fire Nation (as an archipelago) is ironically very hospitable, with many wanderers actually choosing to put down roots there from time to time (TY. LEE 👀)

Regardless of this, most don't identify with a Nation, though many share similar beliefs and will make a pilgrimage to the Air Temples for certain festivals and celebrations. This is how the Air Nomad genocide was made possible, as thousands were gathered to watch the comet (not my idea, I've seen at least 3 ppl already have this headcanon already)

They often ride the more common Flying Bison and Buffalo who can be various colours and lack the distinctive arrow markings.

While there is a certain amount of emphasis on peace and harmony, their key value is independence, and they are not strictly passifists. They'll even put on and enter bending tournaments, showing off their incredible, dramatic skills.

Many of these Air Nomads survived Sozin's attack, though they were no longer able to continue their lifestyle, settling mostly in the Earth Kingdom and practicing their traditions and bending privately.

Though some till wander to this day... *Secret Tunnel start playing ominously in the distance*

Wind Tribes

(Value: Freedom)

Similar to the Wanderers, the Wind Tribes are diverse groups who travel from place to place, but they live in large communities, sometimes reaching hundreds of people. They have internal structures within such as chieftains and set hierarchy.

The most militant and isolated of the Airbenders, keeping their distance from the affairs of the other nations. They are more likely to engage in armed conflict, mostly against other tribes, vying for control of certain territories or resources.

Their various lifestyles are based around winged mounts, who they bond with from childhood, and remain with till death. These mounts are usually smaller and much more agile than Bison, more like bird hybrids.

Unmatched archers, particularly those of them that are airbenders, being able to manipulate air to make their shots quicker, more accurate or even just physically possible.

Deeply spiritual, but do not associate with the Temples. They keep their beliefs to themselves.

Wear very colourful and ornate hand-woven clothes, and grow their hair long to allow it to move in the wind.

The least affected by Sozin's comet, since they were not gathered together. After the war began, they sequestered themselves above the clouds and continued to live as they always have, only now approaching the surface with secrecy and caution.

Mediators

(Value: Peace)

These are Airbenders who go from place to place to act as spiritual and diplomatic mediators for the people of other nations.

Mediators are the ones who ironically demonstrate the ideals farthest from those of the other Airbenders, as they see themselves as needing to exert authority over the other nations in order to maintain peace.

In past centuries, whenever Airbenders have taken the lead in world conflict, it's usually because of a Mediator.

Long ago, rulers and chieftains would have an Airbender Mediator as a priest or advisor, as they were believed to be spiritually pure.

Mediators are also the ones who concern themselves most with how other Airbenders conduct themselves, with many seeking to create a Nation of Airbenders to counter the other three (in the name of peace ofc).

These are just my ideas because I think there was so much left underdeveloped abt these guys. Ironic for a show where Airbender is literally in the name. Obviously I drew alot of inspiration from real world influences so if you'd like to know more abt those let me know and I'll happily add them in a reblog.