During the era of Raava, Tienhai tended to the seashore as if it was her garden. When a tribe of humans appeared, she became fascinated with them and allowed them to flourish on the land, believing that while it was beautiful, it was stagnant, lacking character, and unchanging. The spirit took on the role of their protector, entertaining their requests. When General Old Iron attempted to destroy the settlement out of fear for her safety, Tienhai stopped him, forsaking her friendship with the spirit as a result. Over the course of centuries, the people prospered under Tienhai's guardianship, their city growing into the most powerful of its time.