An Insight into the Exciting World of Ercus Magic.
By Field Researcher, Scholar Kruk of Boldragoth University.

When most people think of Fire magic they think of it in one way, and one way exclusively. Destruction, chaos, and incineration. Though Fire magic indeed, can do these things quite well, that is not the exclusive use for it. However it would be naive to say that it does not excel in these areas, and much time will be spent searching through it. Indeed Fire magic, as well as all elemental magics, reflect on their god. Where Aidon is an appreciator, and nigh-enforcer of beauty, Mercu is a fan of chaos and potential. One candle can set an entire city alight, and Mercu's spells often reflect the feeling of something very small becoming something very powerful.

Fire magic derives from three areas, which the Ercusian magi have lovingly dubbed, Fire Above, Fire Below, and Fire Inside. Without any of these three origins all fire magic would not exist. However as these are almost constantly accessable, in particularly Fire Inside, that becomes a null point.

Fire Above deals with Helios, Fou Lu's sun, and its light and warmth on the ground, and in the air. The sun itself is never affected by magic, being too large and too far, however the rays sent by it are easily absorbed, and is perhaps the most common fuel for fire magi everywhere.

Fire Below deals with the innards of Fou Lu. As anybody who has trekked across Ercus can attest to, volcanos blast lava from the depths of the planet at a frightening heat, making it ideal for the mages of the Fire element. However the spells surrounding this tend to be more physical, it being very difficult to pick up the ambient fire magic through the solid ground.

Fire Inside is the most versatile source of magic, as versatile as any mage that uses it, as it derives from the elementus in any Fire elemental, and enables them to cause flames wherever they so desire, provided they have the energy for it. This particular source of fire is fueled by the body it comes from, which is only as strong as it takes care of itself. Thus many fire magi tend to be eating constantly to keep their Inner Fire ablaze. The one I talked to had a penchant for sandwiches.

Although Fire magic can be separated into the normal three categories of offensive, defensive, and practical magics, the defensive portion of it is so limited, due to fire's very offensive nature, that it can almost be stricken from the record. However we'll go over a few small defensive tasks you can accomplish via the flame.

Defensive Magic

Fire magic's defensive perk lies in immunity, due to fire's nature as an all consuming violent force, it tends to trump most other things. A Fire mage of any skill, almost, can make a person resistant, or even immune to fire outright, many fire houses hire Ercusian Magi exclusively for this. However the immunity involved goes even farther. Fire magic can push a person's inhibitions back, and make them feel each wound as fire, rather than a cut or a punch. And if they feel they are immune to this fire, then they shall continue, in an almost placebo effect. Obviously this is a dangerous feeling, because though unhindered, whoever thinks they are immune is in great danger of dying, as they are just as mortal as always.

The next bit of defensive Fire magic can be examined in walls. All elements can make walls of sorts, from ice, to brick, to illusions, that of fire is merely a strip of flame. Controlled by the mage to not move, or eat away at the surrounding terrain, usually this focused flame is far hotter than traditional wildfires, and can reach up to 10 feet in height.

A final defensive spell lies in fireballs, however we shall get to that examining Offensive magic.

Offensive Magic

The offensive magic of Fire is so widespread, so astoundingly diverse, that there is no way I could possibly explain each spell, or even each variety of spell. The Fire Mage Saluras, of Andalor, spent well over 6 hours performing spell after unique spell before my leave of him, showing the unbelievable diversity.

In order to easily separate it, we will look at the three forms of Fire Magic to start, followed by an explanation of Fireballs.

Fire Below can be separated into two offensive moves, referred to as quick and slow. Slow magic involves the pushing of magma from under the earth, up through the ground to create a slow moving, but very hot spot of lava, which can trap, burn, or eventually bury anything in its path. However to push through that much rock and dirt is very difficult. To manipulate fire from so far away is difficult. Leaving this to more talented magi. Quick Below magic is even more difficult, though not as hot or long lasting. This creates an almost instantaneous link from magma deep underground, and the surface, sending giant flows and blasts of magma in mere seconds. However to travel such a distance in such a time the magma cools off to the point where it is less liquid fire and more powerful explosions, sending enemies reeling. According to Fire mage, Saluras, this is the most difficult of the three origins to master.

Fire Above is sometimes jocularly referred to as "The Giant Magnifying Glass" as offensively it tends to revolve around the focusing of Helios' rays to heat things up quickly. Rays are frequently gathered to a point to speedily incinerate objects, and can arguably be the most precise form of any magic anywhere. The rays of Helios may often be used in conjunction with the following form of magic, as an intensifier to internal spells, which is its more frequent use.

Fire Inside is the grand cup of tea for Fire magi everywhere, it is reliable, relatively easy to learn, and simple to maintain. Fire Inside focuses on fire manipulation, creating shapes out of flames, and directions for it to go. Sending a ball of fire up and down, or in circles at one's leisure. So long as some of the fire one is controlling comes from inside, it can be affected. The way ones own magic mixes with typical fire lies in the very specialized elementus of the Fire element. A trick inside the Fire elementus gives all elementals an ability to light a small flame, even Fire elementals as young as two have been observed doing this, though not well or often. A flame may be sparked anywhere, and though temporary, it is enough to create more snow balling around, usually reinforced with Fire Above. The spells of Fire Inside are the most diverse, from walls of fire, explosions set from a distance, from fireballs, to spontaneous combustion.

Fireballs are a specific subset of the Fire Inside magic which have been widely thought of as the most useful and versatile thing in all of Fire Magic. A fireball can set things on fire when thrown, or it can explode. A fireball can be of any size and any persuasion. Fireballs can be controlled with the mind to go where the caster wants them. They can be sent to attack specific people. They can circle the mage and block punches or arrows for him. There've even been a few cases of mention around sentient fireballs, though nobody has proven this. But perhaps the most drawing feature in the fireball is how easy it is to cast. Any fire mage can make a fireball, many can make up to twenty at a time. The pirhanna effect surrounding this unassuming weapon has made it a favorite among the Fire crowd.

Practical Magic

Civilization would not be where it is today were it not for the discovery of fire, and despite its unpredictable and destructive tendencies, the practical uses of it have saved people on many a cold night.

Fire magic can be used to heat things, people, anything. A Fire mage may thaw an icy leg of lamb, or even themselves in icy conditions. There've been cases where fire magi have been used to keep entire frigid islands warm for the sake of farming, and development. Fire magi have been noted to make wonderful cooks, in their ability to cook things without the use of their sometimes smoky element. Magi of the element may heat anything evenly from the inside and out to create a wonderfully even delicacy.

The creation of fire in itself is extremely useful, obviously. A Fire mage can light a fire in a hurricane off of wet logs in just a few seconds, whether that stays lit is up to their fire tending skills, of course.

Plenty of hospitals employ fire magi for the quick cauterization of wounds. This ability has saved the lives of many many men.

The practical uses of fire, however, are not nearly as widespread as those of other elements. Fire was created as a destructive force. One to be respected. Not one to let you get to the market faster.