Fire Magic

Before the Gates

Unlike many forms of magic, there is significant historical records proving the use of fire magic prior to the activation of the gateway network; it was one of the few forms of magic known to be present on Earth throughout the middle ages, forming the backbone of a magic-user cabal that ruled areas of the planet from behind the scenes. While these cabals didn't persist into the era of Terran spaceflight, they were still incredibly influential.   For the Hysilens, usage of fire magic was prevalent for... armed resolution of conflict, the fox-like species being purported to have been naturally blessed in the magic as an entire racial bloodline - which is nearly unheard of in a species; even magical species like the Elves only have plentiful magical bloodlines, but still possess a significant number of laymen, or non-magical members.  

Early History

Even prior to the Shard Ritual's development, interest in Pyromancy has been consistent across the cluster; the Terrans knew about it for decades, but the truly incredible proponents of fire magic were the Odanis Patriarchate within the galactic north east, where Pyro Shards are exceptionally plentiful. The Patriarchate used the power of fire magic to wage brutal conquest, initially of its home system and sector, and then of surrounding sectors, and now in an attempt to quash internal uprisings.   During the Vekh War, the Patriarchate devoted a Raptor task force to the final battle, consisting of a single Raptor-class battleship-carrier, 60 Toruj space-superiority fighters and 40 Mekuj heavy bombers, and supporting sub-capital combat assets. All of the Patriarchate ships were fitted with pyro-based weaponry, and made quite the lasting impression with the ability to magically conduct exorbitant heat through the pyro-based laser arrays and warheads.  

Modern History

In the modern age, fire magic remains one of the most respected and revered forms of magic, the Patriarchate swearing by it actively and pushing its applications far beyond the accepted norms for what fire magic is capable of. In many ways, the Patriarchate's identity is synonymous with fire magic, and for many, its pyromancy academies are the peerless centres of fire magic tutelage, and one of the only areas where the Patriarchate's politics allow for females to be treated equally - to incentivise foreign female pyromancers to study there.  

Aldrin History

Unsurprisingly, Fire Magic has seen just as stark an uptake on Aldrin as it has in the cluster, potentially even moreso; the readily destructive aspects of fire magic are exceptional for Aldrin's magically-dominated climate, and the prevalence of exceptional magical races on Aldrin - most famous being the Elves - make Aldriner Pyromancers truly something special.

Fire Manipulation

The most obvious and initial form of fire magic is... well, the manipulation of fire. These fire magic abilities are the easiest to learn, but require strict regimens due to their higher power compared to most forms of magic. Due to this, the less well-trained Pyromancers can only wield minor fire magic intrinsically, but with just a bit of control and focus the magic can reach truly staggering heights, creating huge, roaring fireballs or entire walls of flame.   The key to fire manipulation is the fact that moreso than any other type of magic, fire manipulation magic is incredibly sensitive to someone's Aether, particularly their Aspected Aether. For any other magic type except for Void Magic, running out of aether terminates the magic immediately, but fire magic begins to consume flammable objects from the environment itself, and lacking them, it'll deplete the vitality of the caster to sustain the magic.  

Smoke Control

It's of little surprise that a student of fire manipulation can by extension control smoke as well. Smoke is less obviously powerful, but it's very easy to control; it traditionally sees use in vision suppression for combat purposes, as well as the general capability for the suffocation of victims.

Planar Fire Magic

Truly great Pyromancers can begin to acquire magical powers that blur the lines between mortals and the denizens of the elemental plane of fire. This traditionally comes in the form of the famed and feared Pyromantic Resistance of a pyromancer; beginning only as a significant resiliency to fire, this ability can eventually become true immunity to all forms of fire for the truly great pyromancers. Beyond that, however, planar fire magic can also allow for cloaks of flame - not unlike the flame shields used by Shielding Magic - and for the best spellcasters in the art to create fiery wings and other elemental additions that grant them something resembling flight, albeit limited.  

Elemental Summoning

While Summoning Magic is the core magical overseer of the summoning process, elemental casters like those with fire magic can establish a link to the elemental plane of fire to conjure forth limited summons. These typically range from binding small flame familiars to summoning larger fire elementals. The very best fire magic casters can even summon elemental phoenixes from the plane of fire, or even an elemental fire dragon, but these are legendarily hard to control.