Pyromancy

Pyromancy is the branch of thaumaturgy centered around the exothermic process of combustion, almost always in the form of fire. Like all other branches of thaumaturgy, pyromancy requires rituals or vocalizations for use. Pyromancy is unique in that it is one of the few branches in which users are able to actually create their element from their own body, albeit at a cost to their own energy.

## Use

Pyromancy uses rituals, symbols, and vocalizations to focus and manipulate energy to create heat and combustions. Pyromancy requires a greater degree of focus, restraint, and concentration in order to prevent fires from growing out of control. For this reason, pyromancers are typically very level-headed and tend to think actions through.

Pyromancers are able to perform their rituals much quicker than most other branches of thaumaturgy, as the rituals are generally very simple, only consisting of a few symbols and quick body movements. Some pyromancers choose to physically mark the symbols on their skin, usually through tattoos, further reducing the time it takes to perform the rituals. Due to the relative speed of pyromancy, it is useful in situations where speed is essential, such as in combat or emergency survival situations.

Thaumaturgical circles can be used in certain circumstances to increase the abilities of pyromancers, allowing them to perform certain acts of pyromancy with a lesser need for focus and effort.

## Abilities and Limitations

Pyromancy is focused primarily on combustion and the flow of thermal energy. This grants pyromancers certain abilities related to this focus, including the creation and manipulation of fire.

### Active Pyromancy

The active abilities of pyromancy the most evident part of the thaumaturgical branch. One of the main applications of pyromancy is the ability to create and manipulate fire. Pyromancers are able to draw from their own metabolic heat and internal energy to ignite the air around certain body parts, most often the hands. However, since this fire is made using the heat and energy that is also used for natural life processes, creating fire in this manner can prove dangerous or even lethal to the pyromancer if done in excess. For this reason, pyromancers typically prefer to manipulate fire from existing sources, and many carry some form of fire starter on their person.

Pyromancers are also able to generate heat in certain parts of their body by redirecting heat from other parts of the body or drawing heat from their surroundings. They can pass this heat from their body to other objects. With sufficient heat, pyromancers can melt or ignite objects.

### Passive Pyromancy

The passive abilities of pyromancers are not as evident as their active abilities, but are more easily observable than the passive abilities of other branches of thaumaturgy. The primary form of passive pyromancy is a resistance to a greater range of temperatures than other humans, especially heat. This allows pyromancers to survive in much hotter environments and hold objects that would normally burn most people. Pyromancers can also survive longer in cold environments than most people, although they will eventually succumb to the elements.

Pyromancers also have a degree of fire resistance, allowing them to touch flames without being injured. It is believed that there is a limit to the temperature of the flames that pyromancers that people are resistant to, but this limit has not yet been observed.

### Limitations

Despite the many abilities of pyromancers, they also have some limitations that restrict how and when they are able to use pyromancy. Pyromancers draw from their own energy in order to create fire, which can put them at risk if they do so too often or create too much fire.

n addition, the fire that pyromancers create or manipulate still require the same things that normal fire requires to exist, namely heat, oxygen, and fuel. Although pyromancers are usually able to generate heat in order to ignite the fire, there must also be fuel and oxygen present for the fire to continue. As well, if the heat of the fire is reduced enough, such as being doused in water, the flame will go out.

Pyromancers draw heat from both their own bodies and from their environments. As such, if their environment is cold enough, pyromancers will be unable to generate heat, and thus, will not be able to use pyromancy.

## Applications

Pyromancy is used for a wide variety of reasons, especially due to the large amount of practical applications of pyromancy. Pyromancers are often hired as construction workers, emergency response, some forms of metallurgy, and various military roles. Some practice self-employment as chefs or entertainers.

## Sub-Branches

Sub-branches of pyromancy are forms of pyromancy that focus on specific forms of combustion or heat.

### Solarmancy

Solarmancy is a sub-branch of pyromancy that focuses on the heat received from Sol and its starlight. Thaumaturgy used by solarmancers tends to be more likely to produce light as a side-effect than normal pyromancy. Although solarmancy is not as capable of creating or manipulating fire, solarmancers are capable of causing burns and heating objects from a distance. Many members of the Church of the Broken Star are solarmancers.