Progenitors of Fire
The Fire Progenitors are the most divisive and enigmatic of Raethíl’s primordial creators. Their influence lingers in the blazing sands of Rothgar and the ash-strewn remnants of their actions during the Godswar. Fire, in its many forms—destructive, strategic, and life-giving—is at the heart of their domains. Unlike other Progenitors, the Fire Progenitors are largely absent from the world, their actions and alignments leading to alienation and self-imposed exile.
Vetris: The Dragonborn Progenitor of Dragonkin and Strength
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Domains: Fire, Might, Wyrmkin, Ambition
Symbol: A dragon's claw encircled by a blazing sun.
Description
Vetris is both a tragic and polarising figure in Raethíl. They are blamed for the extinction of dragons and the diminished state of dragonkin. Yet, some believe their actions were born from desperation rather than malice, as they sought to channel dragonkind’s strength during the Godswar. After the conflict, Vetris retreated, haunted by their failure to protect what they held most dear.
Rumours persist that Vetris now dedicates their existence to reversing the damage wrought upon dragons. They are said to wander the elemental sphere in search of forbidden knowledge, gathering a clandestine conclave of loyal followers willing to aid their quest. Worship of Vetris is contentious, with some viewing them as a misguided saviour and others as an unforgivable destroyer.
Worship
Followers: Scholars of draconic lore, remnants of dragonborn clans, and seekers of strength through trials.
Practices: Worshippers offer flame-forged artifacts or scales of deceased dragons as tributes. Rites often involve fire-walking or enduring extreme heat as acts of dedication.
Sacred Sites: The extinct volcanic peaks of the Firesphere, believed to resonate with the echoes of dragons’ voices.
Balric: The Sun Elf Progenitor of Strategy and Evocation
Alignment: Neutral Evil
Domains: Fire, Magic, Ambition, Metal, Might, Zeal
Symbol: A flaming chessboard with a phoenix rising.
Description
Balric’s intellect and cunning were pivotal in the Godswar. A brilliant strategist and master of evocation, he crafted devastating magical traps and rituals that tipped battles in the Progenitors’ favour. His methods, however, were ruthless, culminating in the "Burning of Rothgar," which left the once-fertile land a scorched desert.
Post-Godswar, Balric retreated to his fortress in the Doomfire Mountains, surrounding himself with arcane practitioners and sycophants. He dedicates himself to magical research, delving into experiments that often push the boundaries of morality. Though taboo, his name still carries respect among war mages and tacticians who study his strategies.
Worship
Followers: Battle mages, necromancers, and ambitious tacticians.
Practices: Rituals involve evocation magic, such as controlled firestorms or summoning elemental flames. Worshippers often use labyrinthine spell circles to symbolise strategic brilliance.
Sacred Sites: The Doomfire Mountains, where pilgrims seek forbidden tomes and artefacts from Balric’s library.
Vaga: The Tiefling Progenitor of War and Subjugation
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Domains: Tyranny, Pain, Might, Indulgence
Symbol: A tiefling/goat skull wreathed in flame.
Description
Vaga is the most reviled of the Fire Progenitors, infamous for their role in conscripting armies during the Godswar. They harnessed fear and compulsion to bolster the Progenitors’ forces, turning unwilling mortals into soldiers. This legacy of subjugation and terror has left Vaga ostracised, even among their peers.
Bitter and defiant, Vaga exists in self-imposed exile within the Firesphere, their nexus cloaked in ever-shifting flames. Cults of Vaga operate in secrecy, often employing fear tactics to spread their influence. Open worship is virtually unheard of due to the stigma surrounding their name.
Worship
Followers: Tyrants, warlords, and those who seek power through control.
Practices: Followers invoke Vaga’s name before battle, often through rituals involving branding or blood sacrifice. Cultists train to impose their will over others through fear and coercion.
Sacred Sites: Hidden strongholds within the Firesphere, marked by twisted, flame-scarred architecture.
Shared Legacy and Impact
Natural Influence
The Firesphere, once Rothgar, is the Fire Progenitors’ greatest and most infamous legacy. A harsh desert of scorching sands and unrelenting heat, it serves as a testament to their overwhelming power. The landscape is dotted with obsidian ruins, eternal flames, and volcanic peaks.
Philosophical Divide
The Fire Progenitors embody the duality of fire: creation and destruction. Their actions in the Godswar highlight this tension, with each progenitor aligning to different aspects of fire’s nature—Vetris’ strength, Balric’s precision, and Vaga’s domination.
Relationships with Other Progenitors
The Fire Progenitors' methods alienated many of their peers. Vaga’s subjugation tactics were condemned by Progenitors of Life and Harmony, while Balric’s ruthlessness drew ire even from strategic allies. Vetris, despite their chaotic tendencies, garners some sympathy from more understanding Progenitors.
Role in Modern Raethíl
The Fire Progenitors’ absence leaves a palpable void in Raethíl. Their worshippers operate in secrecy or as outcasts, often carrying the weight of societal disdain. Yet, their influence lingers, shaping conflicts, magical practices, and even the cultural memory of the godswar. The flame they sparked has not extinguished—it merely waits, smouldering, for those bold or foolish enough to rekindle it.
Vetris
Balric
Vaga
