Seven Havens Cataclysm
I've been thinking....what if we're viewing this cataclysm thing all wrong? Most theories I've seen about the cataclysm are some big singular event that just wipes out everything.
But if it was less of large bang and more of a slowly creeping destruction?
It happens during Korra's lifetime. Energy Storms form over small villages and empty forests unfolding outwards. Cities become in uninhabitable and spirits flee for refuge, but the storms keep coming.
Maybe this could even be when some of the Havens start being built. Maybe others don't come until years after.
Korra investigates the source of the disaster. She travels into the spirit world.
She never comes out.
Energy Storms ignite rapidly, tearing through the planet faster than ever before. The Poles melt. Volcanos explode turning the Fire Nation to ash. The Earth Kingdom quakes and tremors shaking it to its core. Air Temples are blocked off by self sustaining tornados.
City-wide evacuations happen.
Less than half survive.
The world learns to run from a danger that can follow you anywhere.
They blame Korra-the Avatar.
Details of her story are lost to time but message remains the same.
The Avatar destroyed the world.
It's in this era, Pavi is born.