Flame Maidens

## Population

> *One of the **Terrestrial Spirits**.*
>
>

Crackling pops, wavering heat mirage, persistent glow, radiating warmth. The presence of a flame elemental might be hidden through careful illusion magic, but any time spent next to a living embodiment of fire itself will inevitably reveal the inflammable nature of these personified spirits of magical ignition.

## Legend

While many other spirits appear to be operating within a structured metaphysical caste system that strives to ensure the ecological stability of the world itself, Flame Maidens take a very different position. Even though there is certainly a need of the cleansing effects of a raging forest fire, most human legends speak instead of the capricious- or even hateful- nature of these maidens of flame, who stand unmoved within the hearts of the fiercest infernos. Much description within stories has gone in to the way they enjoy running their smoldering fingers along the timbers of houses that will shortly combust and burn down, taking with it anyone foolish enough to remain inside.

Despite this seemingly hostile portrayal, there is very little said for Flame Maidens actually being evil. Instead, it appears to be merely their nature to destroy that which they touch when given the chance, and it is even sometimes said to be a source of sadness for them. Several myths that include Ladies of Flame containing elements of them being heartbroken over being unable to touch the objects of their affections. In one story, a Flame Maiden even sacrificed her magic nature so as to become Human and marry her beloved, though in the most common iteration he went on a quest to bring back her fire to her as he did not want her to give up who she was for his sake.

At the same time, there are stories of stranded, lost, and faltering travelers being found by a Living Fire and- while in some stories suffering burns from her touch- being dragged out of harsh weather and into a cave where a crackling fire kept disease at bay and warmed the bones enough to recover until being found by rescue parties. These tales are much more common in northern **Uropa** and **Rossiya** especially due to harsher winters and colder weather.

And finally there are a few mentions of wizards or magicians summoning or creating a Flame Maiden to serve as a companion to cure them of loneliness or help them in their arcane pursuits. This never ends well, often with them burning to death or their tower and research going up in flames, making this sort of story a cautionary tale warning against the dangers of romantic shortcuts or taking the easy route to knowledge and power.

## Description

### Ember Form

Flame Maidens appear to be youthful but mature women of remarkably white skin, taking on an ashy, chalky paleness to their complexion for most of their bodies. This changes partway down their arms and legs, where ash gives way to burnt charcoal, dark and mottled at first and eventually pure black. This once more gives way to the inner light of yellow-orange inner fire, as their hands and feet glow with a perpetual illumination of internally-smoldering flame.

These fiery body parts are as hot as they appear, and can cause minor burns through touching others, although more practiced Flame Maidens can control the heat transferred via touch. On more than one occasion a Flame Maiden has demonstrated being able to touch raw meat and cause it to cook to a safe eating temperature merely through holding it, and the same is theorized to be possible by standing on it, though this has not been tested.

So as to avoid causing fear, most Flame Maidens take great care to wear fire-proof boots and gloves most times, only taking them off should the need arise. Although their bodies do not have the same sexual characteristics as human bodies, many wear clothing as well so as to more easily interact with human society, and these clothes are often also fire resistant to prevent unintentional conflagration due to elevated emotions.

### Inferno Form

While a Flame Maiden's nature can be hidden Ember form through the use of makeup and obscuring clothing, the true form of the Flame Maiden cannot possibly be obscured. Upon reaching a level of emotional agitation or through intentional abandonment of the restraints that her usual form imbues, a Flame Maiden may 'unravel' her ashen body to reveal the raging inferno that hides beneath the surface of her normal form.

This inferno form takes on the appearance of an enormous pillar of fire which still bears the shape of her feminine torso, but nonetheless appears to be an image of her projected onto a ravaging holocaust of flame. The size of this form depends largely upon the individual strength of the Flame Maiden, with some being as much as fifty feet tall and capable of reaching temperatures of 900°C. Less powerful Flame Maidens might be able to achieve such sizes and temperatures but for far shorter time spans, as manifesting like this uses up an incredible amount of energy that most are incapable of sustaining for long.

Upon reverting to their normal form, a Flame Maiden might appear more chalky and pale than normal until they have recovered, and their glowing hands and feet will be dimmer and cooler for a time as well.

## Characteristics

### Capabilities

A Flame Maiden's greatest strength is of course her fire, capable of searing flesh and consuming flammable materials. In the usual form, a Flame Maiden can toss small projectiles made of fire as well as transfer great heat through touch of hand or foot, but when in her inferno form, the amount of fire is only limited by the size of her burning body. While magical in origin, it otherwise acts as natural fire, and once separated from the Flame Maiden herself is no longer sentient or capable of being manipulated by her. Flame Maidens can create fire, but they cannot inherently extinguish it.

Just as shooting a bullet into a campfire has little impact upon its ability to burn, so too are Flame Maidens scarcely bothered by projectiles or piercing weapons. Explosions present significantly more danger, as do large blunt weapons, but knives and guns can only do damage by eroding the structural integrity of their bodies one wound cavity at a time. This is amplified when in their inferno form, in that most physical attacks will fly through their fiery bodies without any impact whatsoever.

### Weaknesses

While all living beings need oxygen, that is even moreso true of Flame Maidens. They burn through oxygen very swiftly, and being trapped in a small, airtight space would see the air become unbreathable ten times faster than it would for a human.

As with any fire, Flame Maidens require fuel. Anything that burns can serve as a form of sustenance, though they prefer dried wood and paper over most other things. Flammable chemicals can make do in a pinch, but apparently they 'taste bad' and are only acceptable as a last ditch measure. Flame Maidens require the equivalent of one 12 inch-long fire log per four hours of activity, and one such log per full day of dormancy.

Also like a natural fire, the Flame Maiden's natural enemy is water. Rain stings like insect bites and a bucket of water might as well be a vial of acid. This is another reason why most Flame Maidens wear thick gloves and boots, as damage done by water is far worse when it hits their hands or feet. Needless to say, being submerged entirely in water is certain death. While water is less dangerous to a Flame Maiden's inferno form, it is still harmful and can hasten the return to her usual form.

The final difficulty that Flame Maidens must tackle is the direct correlation between their emotional agitation and the eruption of their flames and their control over their own burning nature. Mental composure allows a Flame Maiden to touch even the driest of kindling with their bare hands without so much as a wisp of smoldering smoke. But when stressed, their fires can flare out of control and start fires or burn others as a result of intense anger, sadness, or fear.

## Unification Status

Throughout the majority of Human history, the appearance of a Flame Maiden marked the end of a terrible holocaust or the impending start of one. Whenever a city burned and thousands died, it was said that Flame Maidens danced among the embers and had to be extinguished with water buckets to return to unanimated ash.

As with so many other interactions with the **Non-Human Races** after the Edict of Unification, the Humans of the **Grienzen Empire** have put great efforts into communicating with and learning how to exist alongside Flame Maidens. Assisted by several daring Burrowers, scientists from the **IMRA** successfully contacted several existent and a few newborn Flame Maidens with an offer of harmonious cooperation. After the first breakthrough, each subsequent meeting with a new Flame Maiden went easier, as if the friendly intentions rippled through the air in advance of their arrival. And at this point, newly ignited Living Fires are swiftly approached by the nearest authority figure - civil or religious - with the invitation to join Grienzen society as a friend.

Many Ladies of Fire have found a ready place in Grienzland in a variety of industries. Flame Maidens have managed to find work as glassblowers, blacksmiths, furnace workers, train tenders, cooks, hot air balloon operators, and - ironically enough - firefighters. Some nobles have even taken to taking on Flame Maiden wards as heat maids, warming up baths and clothes and beds ahead of their use. All of these roles of productive contribution are completely new to the Ladies of Fire, but the ability to acquire plentiful fuel and fireproof clothing and reliable protection from the rain through economic participation has proven an alluring draw for many.

But of course, there is still great suspicion and fear of the living personification of fire itself. This is not helped by the risk of burning Humans or starting fires that an unprepared or emotionally compromised Flame Maiden poses. Some still see the embodiments of flame and believe that the only wise course of action is to extinguish them before the fire spreads out of control.