Magical Fire
Magical fire is a supernatural phenomenon that functions according to the laws of magic rather than physics. Unlike normal fire, which results from combustion and follows the principles of thermodynamics, magical fire is an energy effect that primarily causes harm to living beings and may only interact with objects in specific circumstances. In gameplay, magical fire applies when spells, magical creatures, enchanted objects or other supernatural sources generate flame. It does not ignite materials immediately unless sustained over time, because it doesn't radiate heat in a conventional manner, and its effects do not always extend beyond the targeted area.
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For example, a fireball spell may explode with a burst of flame, dealing damage to creatures within its radius, but it cannot set the surrounding environment ablaze because the "fire" is instantaneous — it lasts less than a second in time before evaporating.
Magical fire does not cause water to turn into steam upon contact. Instead of behaving as a thermodynamic reaction, its intensity follows a progressive pattern when affecting non-living materials. On the first round of exposure, it reaches a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit. On the second round, it increases to 250 degrees, then 375 degrees on the third round and so on. This means that while prolonged exposure can eventually cause wood, cloth or paper to ignite, instantaneous combustion does not occur, no matter how much fire there appears to be.
Because the effect follows its own internal logic, it is resistant to conventional fire suppression methods. While water or smothering may prevent it from spreading by eliminating fuel sources, dispelling magic, anti-magic fields or counteracting effects such as frost-based spells may be required to fully extinguish it. The exact behaviour of magical fire may vary depending on its source, with some varieties being sustained indefinitely by magical energy, while others function as temporary manifestations of arcane power.
Spell Examples
Spells that create magical fire vary in duration, intensity and application, but all follow the principles that distinguish them from normal flame. While some produce sustained fire that can ignite objects over time, others manifest briefly as bursts or controlled shapes that primarily cause harm to creatures. Aside from the aforementioned fireball, other examples include burning hands, produce fire, flame blade, flame walk and wall of fire.
Burning Hands releases a fan of magical flame from the caster's fingertips, scorching creatures in a short cone but not igniting the surroundings unless sustained. Produce Fire conjures a magical flame in the caster's hand, which can be used to provide light, deal damage or set flammable objects alight with prolonged contact. Flame Blade creates a sword-like blade of magical fire, allowing the caster to wield it in melee combat as a magical weapon. Flame Walk envelops the caster's feet in magical fire, allowing them to walk across flames or superheated surfaces without harm while leaving fiery footprints. Wall of Fire erects a barrier of magical flames that damages creatures passing through it while providing intense but non-radiating heat on one side. This list is not exhaustive.
Creature Examples
Some creatures possess innate magical fire, either as a weapon or as an inherent part of their being. Unlike natural fire, their flames do not require fuel, often manifesting as persistent supernatural energy that resists conventional extinguishing methods. This includes hellhounds, the Marilith, the balrog, red and gold dragons and numerous demons and devils.
Hellhounds exhale gouts of magical flame that burn flesh but do not spread like mundane fire, making their breath a precise and deadly weapon. Marilith demons can wreathe their weapons in magical fire, causing additional searing damage to enemies without igniting the surroundings. Balrogs are surrounded by an aura of magical fire, which does not consume its form but lashes out at anything nearby, burning without regard for material fuel. Dragons breathe a cone of magical fire that incinerates flesh and melts metal, but vanishes instantly after impact, leaving no lingering embers unless sustained.
