The Seekers of the Flame are a nomadic sect of the main Fireborne culture, notably different in their belief that the Great Spirit lives most strongly not in the Ashlands where the Flame Dragon was laid to rest, but instead in the uncharted and unknown reaches of the world. This culture believes in radical independence, stripping themselves of all personal belongings and devoting themselves wholly to perusing The Flame. Being nomadic, the Seekers of the Flame have a primarily oral tradition, though this collection of writings depicts a slice of their complex culture.

Among the most influential texts, One The Nature of The Flame - is derived from the journal of Ambrosius, he who sought the flame. This individual is often thought of as The First Seeker, and lead an important schism in the ancient Fireborne religious movement.

On the Nature of the Flame

From the Journal of Ambrosius, he who sought the Flame

Throughout our lives we are taught that the Great Fire Dragon spent its final days and years of life in the once green and fertile land that we now call “The Ashlands.” This is, in fact - entirely true. The land that was once a paradise for Humans, Fey, and Arsa Sidhe alike now lies barren, tones of grey and black replacing what was once a lively landscape. The Great Fire Dragon burned brightly, tales of that era from our people’s speak of a valiant leader. The most powerful being that could ever exist, impenetrable scales, teeth that could shatter mountains, wings that could summon storms; contrasted yet by a kindness and reverence for his own people, a guiding hand who set out a life for us. In burning the Ashlands into existence with his final breath, the Great Fire Dragon left us a gift, not only of a holy land to call our own; but a purpose in life. Such immense power as the Great Fire Dragon does not simply disappear with his physical form, though as Fireborne we are taught that his spirit does indeed live on among the ashes and bones of that land. It is my revelation, the impetus that drove me to this writing, to know that the Great Spirit - The Flame does not reside in his most holy of lands; but instead exists in the hearts and souls of each and every living being in our world.

Think of the Dragon’s creeds - To Strengthen Ones Self, To Defend Others as if they were Kin, and to Vanquish the Darkness. The Ashlands is a land all to ourselves, how can we vanquish aberrations from our brimstone fortresses? How can we truly help others, and build up ourselves - if we remain locked up in our holy land? The Ashlands, I believe - are inhospitable by design. They were never meant for us to reside in, but instead as a place for our worship; a place to return to for the Summer Solstice - but our home, our true home - is on the road. I may have been born a Fireborne, but I will die a Seeker of the Flame. That is the beauty of our flame, it resides within all of us - Fey, Greatlings, or Humans alike. Though some hail from holy bloodlines and are indeed gifted with the Flame’s touch from birth, it is not a treasure for any one group or singular culture to hoard. When outsiders ask me about what drives me, what pushes me forward - I liken it to a stone thrown from atop a cliff. Though there is nothing pulling the stone to the ground, something within it pulls it to its kin. Stones long to be together, and so too do the Flames in our hearts and the Flames in the world. The Great Fire Dragon’s Spirit resides everywhere, hidden by Darkness that must be uncovered, hidden in tomes that hide secret knowledge, and hidden within the joy of families defended from hardship. We Seekers of the Flame follow his teachings, and there is where we can find the Flame.

Taking up the mantle of a Flame Seeker is to give up everything that dims that light within you, and it is not to be taken lightly. We give up our homes, any possessions we cannot carry on our backs, and carry with us only what is necessary to serve the Great Flame. As all flames do, we burn brightly for a time - though that time will always come to an end eventually. The only trace we leave behind are the ashes, the effect that our service has had on those in need and those who serve the will of darkness. So too do you give up your name - the final tie to your previous life. Pray to the Spirit, and write your name in a parchment. As you light it aflame - the Flame will give you your new name.

The Day of Embers is a sacred holiday among Seekers of the Flame, known to cultures world-wide for their exuberant celebrations. Marked typically by burning a large pyre, the Day of Embers is held on the Winter Solstice, the longest day of the year. It is believed among many sects of Seekers that this day is when the forces of darkness are at their strongest; and this celebration is believed to be necessary to drive them back where they belong.  Though on many years this celebration is entirely peaceful, there are a few notable examples of violent celebrations; namely the event that is believed to have began the celebrations. Scholars debate the accuracy of this tale, taken as an excerpt from the journal of a notable seeker. The existence of a city named "Wormelow" is not confirmed from non-seeker sources, though this story serves as a foundational part of the Seeker's culture.

From the Journal of Decimus, The Dragon’s Fang

Winter, 11 days to Solstice

The men are growing restless, the looming presence of the hibernal solstice is upon us - and the itch has returned to them. It is not often that we have this many seekers in one place, but the call of the flame is strong here - the wretched town of Wormelow has stood unopposed for too long. The demonic forces have made their nest deep within this city, there are talks of sending criers through the gates at first dawn to warn the populace; but the seekers cannot agree one way or another on it. There are women, and children in there - without doubt; but one cannot argue that they have indeed chosen their fate by intermixing with these demons. 

Thousands of seekers have made camp together here with plans to siege the city, each of them from their own walks of life, taking time from their own ventures to join us here today. It is time for the world to see what happens when this many flames are brought together. On the dawn of the darkest day, when the forces of darkness are at their strongest; our light will drive them from this city - never to return.

Winter, 9 days to Solstice

Fights have broken out in the camps, tents burned and men strung up in chains to keep them from killing one another. This many seekers in one place is truly a blessing, but there is a reason that our kind are nomadic. Before this, I had never seen more than five seekers in one place at one time. The leader here, a Fey named Amr - is said to be blessed by the Spirit himself. He bears horns atop his head, and wings sprouted from his back. Most of the men listen to him when he speaks, if it were not for his presence - I imagine this camp would implode by sundown.

Men have brought oil in from afar, some traveling thousands of miles with a horse and carriage to bring it here. I fear there will be nothing left of this city when we are done here. Many of the women and children of the town have fled from the word of our criers, it's impossible to know how many remain in the city. Last night I was nearly unable to sleep - the spirit filled my mind with scenes of the glory to come and my heart raced, waking me throughout the night. My sword is sharpened, my armor is shined - tomorrow will be a day for history books, our siege begins; and it will not be long until this city is no more.

Winter, Day of Embers

I write this journal sat among the ashes of what was once a fortress of evil - a home to darkness, where the Great Spirit was not to be found. Today, Wormelow is no more - in its place lie the ashes of a great Pyre in the Spirit’s name. Thousands of seeker’s flames were extinguished here, their bodies littering the streets of this town while their souls returned to the Dragon’s Keep. Untold numbers of demonic corpses sit beside them, ten or a hundred slain to a single seeker. Our siege lasted mere weeks, the fury of our conviction overpowered the meek demonic influence that held this land together quickly. Now that our flame has burned out, and its ashes are all that remain - the world seems darker. The intense thrill of the fight is what our kind live for, and this was a fight for the ages.

As those who survived go their separate ways, words of what occurred here today will spread. On this Day of Embers, we turned the tables on the darkness. It is up to all Seekers from here fourth to turn them further.