Arson
Ancient of Fire: Arson (a.k.a. He Who Burns)
Fire is bold. It is angry. However, it can be contained. I have lived with the fire for many years, longer than any other creature on this planet. I know it better than any human could ever hope to. I live it. I breathe it. I feel it with my every step, my every movement. I feel its passion, its rage. There come moments when I, too, become angry. There are times when the fire envelops me, consumes me. In those times, I feel the fire. I know the fire. I am Arson. I am the fire.
- Arson, Ancient of Fire
Divine Domains
Arson's domain is that of fire and Fire Magic.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Arson's most famous, and obvious, symbol is that of a singular flame. However, most fire symbolism can be used to represent him. The symbol that he shares with his opposite, Pairess, the Ancient of Ocean, is a type of stone. Arson's is a piece of jagged obisidian.
Holidays
Like the rest of the Ancients, Arson has a month dedicated to him. The month, Arsona, is the first month the Etrian year. Furthermore, the last Fireday of the month of Arsona serves as Arson's Day, a day meant to celebrate Arson and fire magic in general. Before Arson's Day, cities will set up decorations of fire. During the time of human magic, fire magi would gather in cities and towns to perform. They would either demonstrate their abilities, duel, perform party tricks for children, or participate in extravagant, choreographed displays and dances.
However, ever since the Rescission, these performances have been relegated to Dragon-Tongues and fire type dragons. Often, fire-only Dragonfighting tournaments will be organized. Dancers will wear outfits in the likeness of Arson and other fire dragons. Modern celebrations of Arson's Day are much less extravagant than they once were, without the ability of humans to use magic.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Arson's eventual goal is very similar to that of Diseo, the Ancient of Light. Both work towards a time when the Ancients are no longer needed on Etria. They both care deeply for humans and dragons alike, and believe that the Ancients were originally created in order to protect and guide them. They work towards a time when humans and dragons are able to guide themselves and the Ancients can relax.
Physical Description
Body Features
Arson is covered in reddish orange scales. He has horns that curve upwards from his head. He has spikes running down his spine to the end of his tail. There are talons at the edges of his wings. Arson always looks as though he is on fire and it is said that as he walked, he left behind scorched prints in the earth.
Identifying Characteristics
As with all the Ancients, Arson has teardrop shaped markings around his eye. Arson's markings are an iridescent gold and can change color in different levels of light, sometimes looking copper, orange, or bright yellow.
Special abilities
Simply put, Arson had the ability to burst into flames. This power is only depicted in artwork when he is angry or fighting. When this happened, the flames over Arson's entire body would flare higher and brighter, often punctuated by a roar. During this state, Arson was able to light things on fire without touching them. He could breathe fire for prolonged periods of time. The fire over his body could start to drip off of him and light the earth underneath, and his eyes would glow white. He would often be enraged when this happened and sometimes couldn't control himself, becoming dangerous even to those he sided with.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Arson was created near the very beginning of Etria's existence. As with the other ancients, he was created fully grown as a physical, draconic manifestation of his magic. In the beginning of his life, Arson was not particularly fond of either humans, dragons, or any living thing. However, as time passed and his consciousness progressed, he grew more compassionate towards the world around him. He established ties with the other Ancients, but stayed away from humans for a long time, as he looked down on the magicless creatures.
For many years, Arson resided in Mount Leiver, a now extinct volcano on the continent of Jicreon. From here, he ruled as the Ancient of Fire. Fire dragons from across Etria gathered around the volcano. It is believed that their magic is the reason the continent is, today, so barren.
For a long time, Arson remained far away from humans. However, he eventually found a liking towards them. One legend depicts the widely accepted turning point in Arson's opinions about humans, called the Choice of Arson. In this myth, a group of humans builds a village near his volcano. At first, Arson dislikes them and sees them as invaders encroaching upon his territory. However, after a few years of their presence, he begins to get used to them, even offering help on a couple rare occasions. There eventually comes a point when true invaders come to destroy the town and enslave the humans living there. Arson calls upon his dragons to protect the town and drive the conquerors away. By the end of the story, Arson is willing to protect humans just as he would protect dragons.
After examples like the Choice of Arson and other, similar instances, Arson became wiser and kinder towards humanity. However, for a long time, he remained wary, not particularly liking humans or finding them very interesting. After Diseo chose her first dragonmage, however, a number of Ancients were quick to follow. Arson was the second-to-last Ancient to choose a dragonmage, eventually settling on a hotheaded boy from a village near his temple. The young man would go on to become Fire Dragonmage Askari Belghiti, paving the way for the long, prestigious line of Fire Dragonmagi.
The last historical role that Arson played was in the Light Wars and the Last Day, culminating in the Rescission. Arson unfortunately lost his last dragonmage, Dragonmage Tsula Gordon, at the end of the First Light War, when she sacrificed her life to put an end to fighting, alongside the dragonmagi of light and sky. This loss dealt a blow to Arson, who would fight for the shadows in the Second Light War, even battling against Gordon's close family and friends in a desperate attempt to protect shadow magic. After the Second Light War ended, Arson had little to no opinion on whether or not to revoke humanity's right to magic. However, he eventually spoke on behalf of rescission along with the rest of the Ancients. He stood with the other Ancients on the Last Day and participated in the Rescission, putting into place the law that would keep humans from being born with the power to wield magic. Afterwards, he vanished from history along with his brethren, disappearing to somewhere isolated and secret within the bowels of Etria. When he wakes with the other Ancients, the Third Light War will begin and end, new dragonmagi will be chosen, and Etria will enter a new era of magi.
Gender Identity
The gender of an Ancient is a curious thing, as they chose their genders upon creation. Arson chose to be male, with he/him pronouns, and has not since changed.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Many of Arson's notable achievements are closely tied to those of his dragonmagi. However, there are a couple of accomplishments that are solely his own. For example, he built, along with many fire dragons, the Temple of Arson of the Fire Magic. It is just outside of Mount Leiver in Jicreon, as a place for humans and dragons to go if they were ever in need of aid from him.
Furthermore, Arson participated in many wars taking place in Jicreon. In the beginning of the continent's settlement, he would often side against invaders and conquerors. Because of this, the only kingdoms who were able to build settlements and establish colonies were those who were peaceful and respectful of natives, their land, and their cultures. After the many colonies of Jicreon created their own governments, however, Arson attempted to serve as a peacekeeper, trying to settle disputes between the many nations of Jicreon before war broke out over his beloved continent. As one might guess, this did not always go well, seeing as Arson is the physical, draconic manifestation of fire magic. On the occasions which he could not keep peace, he would often turn to a more peaceful Ancient, such as Diseo, Ozzanth or Pairess. However, many wars were avoided due to Arson's intervention. Some of the avoided battles and conflicts would have destroyed Jicreon and changed Etria forever if they had been allowed to happen.
Failures & Embarrassments
Arson's greatest failure was the choosing of his seventeenth dragonmage. This dragonmage, named Lauritz Ovesen, was kind enough when Arson first chose him to inherit the responsibility of the dragonmage. However, Dragonmage Ovesen was a far cry from the previous fire dragonmagi. Instead of working to control his temper, Ovesen leaned into it. Instead of searching for a calm and logical solution, Ovesen would always use violence first. Dragonmage Ovesen let power go to his head and became a bloodthirsty warlord. Arson eventually did what he had to, and stripped Ovesen of his title and power. Ovesen, still retaining the power of a typical fire mage, was furious. However, Arson quickly moved on and chose a new dragonmage. This dragonmage, known as Dragonmage Ashraf Bata, quickly restored the good name of the fire dragonmagi and became one of the most beloved dragonmagi of all time.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Arson was motivated by a burning desire to protect. Whether this be towards dragons, humans, or his side in a battle, Arson protected. He dreamed of a time when humans and dragons would no longer battle one anther, and saw it as the time when all his people, human and dragon, will be safe.
Virtues & Personality perks
As previously stated, Arson was protective. He was determined and driven, motivated and dedicated to a cause. He was willing to do whatever was necessary to reach his goals. He was also careful to not resort to violence when it wasn't necessary. Arson was aware of how fire works, how it rips through things in a fit of destruction. Because of this, he was careful to be self aware and cautious.
Vices & Personality flaws
Arson was easily angered. He was impatient and, for lack of a better word, grumpy. When he becomes enraged, he could be nearly impossible to stop and became dangerous to everything and everyone, regardless of alignment or allegiance.
Relationships
History
Arson and Pairess are Opposites, meaning that their magics, and they themselves, are irreversibly bound by the laws of the Magic. For this reason, though they have never been close friends, they have a deep respect and care for one another. Arson held a lot of respect for Pairess, and viewed her as a powerful ally, somebody not to be trifled with. Pairess saw Arson in a similar manner, knowing she could rely on him. They would often offer aid to one another in times of hardship.
Relationship Reasoning
The relationship stems from their magics and the Law of Opposites. Arson is the Ancient of Fire, and Pairess the Ancient of Ocean. Their magics are powerfully connected, and they are almost physically incapable of being in conflict with one another due to the Law of Opposites. Therefore, the pair has decided to maintain a good relationship for the good of themselves, their magics, and Etria.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
By the Law of Opposites, Arson and Pairess cannot be in conflict without causing great damage to Etria. This forces them to maintain a steady relationship.
History
Arson and Ozzanth are fellow Ancients. However, Arson does not feel such a connection with Ozzanth as he does with his opposite, Pairess. Arson believed that Ozzanth took himself too seriously, and was rubbed the wrong way by his high-and-mighty nature. But Arson was also acutely aware of Ozzanth's power, and knew he could make either a powerful ally or a formidable enemy. Ozzanth, on the other hand, believed Arson was brash and impulsive, and was all too aware of the damage he could cause to creatures of earthen magic. For the most part, they tolerated one another.
Relationship Reasoning
Being fellow Ancients, Arson and Ozzanth were forced to interact with one another, meaning a relationship was inevitable. They maintain a steady and mutual respect for each other for this reason.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Arson and Ozzanth share a deep desire to protect the people and dragons of their magic. Arson, however, is harsher and more forward about his compassion.
History
Because Arson and Nirsie are fellow Ancients, they must interact for the sake of Etria. However, Arson never particularly liked Nirsie. He saw her as childish and naive, not a creature he valued as an ally. He was aware, however, that she was just as important to their world as he was, and therefore strove to be polite. Nirsie, however, respected Arson's power. She believed he was a capable individual, and always valued his compassion for other creatures. She was unbothered by his dislike of her.
Relationship Reasoning
Because Arson and Nirsie are both Ancients, they often had to work together for the sake of their domains. Their relationship was born from necessity more than care for one another.
History
Arson and Kersyg are both Ancients. Their temples share the continent of Jicreon, and both were involved in the early wars that took place there. Because of this, they have developed a respectful relationship as allies, willing to help one another, but never truly considering each other "friends." Arson has always viewed Kersyg as secretive and unpredictable, a mysterious and possibly untrustworthy force at times. He also believed Kersyg's opinions on humanity to be shallow, but understood them as best he could. Kersyg, on the other hand, thought Arson was too close to humanity. He believed that Arson was far too open about his intentions, and was often uncomfortable with his demeanor. He viewed Arson as powerful, but never as an ally or enemy. Their relationship simply was.
Relationship Reasoning
Arson and Kersyg's relationship stemmed from a need to protect their home. When the people of Jicreon became threatened by powerful outside forces, the Ancients banded together, fire and shadow, to protect them and drive out the invaders. This has influenced their relationships in other battles, especially the Second Light War.
History
Diseo has always been the only Ancient that Arson truly considered a close friend, Pairess, his Opposite, being a close second. They often worked together, siding with one another when it came to conflict. Arson saw her as kind and compassionate, and deeply admired her ability to love through conflict. Diseo viewed Arson similarly, envying his strength to fight for his beliefs where she was too afraid to do so.
Relationship Reasoning
Arson and Diseo have a near identical viewpoint on the future of Etria, and their motivations are almost exactly the same. They grew close after this realization, and after Diseo acted as a moderator for some of Arson's conflicts with other Ancients, especially Kanais.
History
Since the beginning of their existence, Arson and Kanais have been at odds. Only in times of desperate need or wartime have the two of them ever helped each other. Arson viewed Kanais as cold of heart and uncaring. Kanais, however, thought Arson was too passionate, too brash and unpredictable. They were enemies to the bone.
Relationship Reasoning
The magics of Arson and Kanais are almost opposites. However, unlike with Arson's true opposite, Pairess, there is no law that binds the two and causes them to care for one another. They differed on many opinions and actions; while Arson's decisions were influenced by emotion, Kanais's were born from a more logical standpoint.
History
Arson and Hervaess were allies, respectful and polite, but were never close. In battle, the pairing was nearly unparalleled, rivaled only by Kersyg and Diseo at their finest moments. However, the team was rarely assembled, as Arson and Hervaess had no common interaction. Arson was somewhat intimidated by Hervaess; she was known for being even more spontaneous and hotheaded than him. Hervaess, however, believed Arson wasn't living up to his true destructive potential most of the time. She knew he was stronger than he let on.
Relationship Reasoning
Arson sometimes avoided working with Hervaess. As with Kersyg, he thought she was unpredictable. However, where Kersyg often operated in, well, the shadows, Hervaess could often be an active danger if she felt like doing so. He could be overwhelmed by her presence at times, a surprising and unprecedented feat.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments
Author's Notes
Something you'll probably notice as you explore this world is that some articles are better written than others. This is because I'm still a developing writer, so the later articles will be done better because I am, in fact, a better writer upon making them. You'll have to forgive the older articles and their writing style. I do plan on going back and revising them! ...Eventually. Truth be told, at this point I'm more focused on understanding my world than I am with making amazing articles. Thanks for being patient/understanding/tolerant of me and my flaws!