More Patreon content for TeaFeathers! This one was just waiting for me to add some final little details. Another powerful entity of my story!
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Forge Spirit
The Forge Spirit is the patron spirit of the Pylura; a powerful being that embodies the flame, and the crafting a keen individual can do with its heat. Sometimes called the Spirit of Primordial Flame, or the Wildfire, it is the most powerful fire spirit in existence. It appears as a bird of prey made from flame, with a black metallic cat skull nestled in it's head, similar to hematite. A trail of black metallic vertebrae follows, with a sparse ribcage in it's chest. It can shift it's form to suit its needs and mood, which may include; extra limbs (wings or arms, flame color, or even the space between it's black bones. It uses its black hammer, formed from one of its ribs and laced with red runes, to create spirit objects or special items for the Pylura.
While most of the sentient cat species of TeaFeathers are under the patronage of the Spirit of the Hunt, the small and humble Pylura sought a different path. Pylura, being the most diminutive of the cat species, had to find ways to survive and thrive by being more than just skilled hunters. The Forge Spirit saw this, and saw the cleverness of the Pylura in using fire to their advantage, and took the little cats under its wings.
In the tale of Pylos and Luria (the mythic Pylura siblings who brought fire to their people), it is said that Pylos was guided to the house of the spirits by embers spread by the Forge Spirit. Perhaps it was these metaphorical breadcrumbs made of spirit fire that piqued his curiosity, and lead him to where he would witness the hearth from which he took the fire (albeit accidentally).
There is a place the Pylura call The Eternal Flame, which is reputed to be the place Luria first captured the fire her brother brought. It is an ever burning flame surrounded by waterfalls, which has been burning since before the Pylura recorded its existence. Nothing can put it out. While there are other eternal flames in the land, this one holds a special place in Pylura culture. The Forge Spirit has been known to make appearances there, and accept offerings directly from pilgrims who travel to bask in it's light.
Gifts of the Forge Spirit:
Spark of Knowledge (Mark of Luria)
During their time as slaves to the Outer Cat Clans, the Pylura were not allowed to read, write, or possess books. The Forge Spirit gave them the advantage by allowing them the ability to connect with the collective knowledge of the Pylura via flame ritual. This is a skill that not all Pylura are good at, it takes practice. Elder Pylura who are particularly good at it can often be found lounging next to the communal hearth, acting as teachers and librarians
Unburned Whiskers (Mark of Pylos)
Most Pylura are flame proof to some degree, some more than others. The weakest of these gifts would prevent one from burning themselves on a cooking stove if they happen to be clumsy, and the greatest of this gift would allow them to walk through a wild blaze untouched.
Breath of Wildfire
Like the Alecani, many Pylura are magic users. The Forge Spirit's influence allows a great majority of these magic users to be fire elementalists of one sort or another. It can manifest as fire, lightning, magma, or other fire related magics.
Hearthwisps
The Forge Spirit created Hearthwisps, beetle-like domestic spirits of fire, formed from one of its black burning ribs. The Hearthwisps live in the cooking stoves and hearths of every Pylura (and by extension most Alecani), and act as fire keepers. They keep the embers hot when you can't tend it all day, and control stray sparks that might catch the home afire. A well kept colony of Hearthwisps can even aid in proper cooking of food by controlling temperature and height of the flames. Even when the stove is cold, they lie contentedly, waiting for the fire to be lit again.
Offerings:
Like all spirits, the Forge Spirit enjoys tribute and offerings in it's name. Most offerings are burned, but some are collected around fire shrines. Some good offerings are; bundles of good smelling herbs, shards of flint, fulgurites (glass made by the strike of lightning on sand), gems and curious stones found near volcanic activity, interestingly shaped sticks, pitch and sap bundles, wooden effigies carved in it's honor, shed whiskers, naturally shed pylura milk teeth, and more.
