The mountains are inscribed in legend as the home of the first two earthbenders, Oma and Shu, who were lovers from two warring tribes. Despite their peoples' status as enemies, they met on top of the mountain one day by accident. Forbidden from seeing one another, they learned earthbending from the badgermoles and carved what is now known as the Cave of Two Lovers out of the mountains to continue meeting in secrecy. When Shu was killed in the war, Oma became distraught with grief, and unleashed a terrible display of her earthbending powers; however, instead of killing the villagers, she declared the war over. Overcome with an exalted reverence for her, the people abandoned their villages and helped her construct a new city on the site of a mountain, where they would live together in peace.