Make Fire (sage ability)

Make fire is an authority-status sage ability in the study of Scouting that enables the character to generate fire from crude tools, using various techniques. An essential tool for this is the "tinder box," which is a small, portable container that holds and keeps tinder dry; examples of tinder include dry leaves, shredded bark, cotton and other highly flammable materials.

Most other materials, even tinder if none is kept on the character's person, can be found abouts. Nonetheless, the effort can be very difficult in wet environments, especially where it rains daily. Under normal conditions, it's possible to ignite tinder in less than a minute, with a fire resulting in five to ten minutes.

However, in a very wet climate during rain, attempting to start a fire could take several hours to an entire day or more, and success is not guaranteed. The challenging conditions, combined with the need to find and keep dry materials, can substantially prolong the process. Characters with this sage ability nonetheless possess the patience, persistence and the realistic understanding of the challenges involved.

Methods

Fire by friction. This involves using a bow drill or hand drill; the latter involves a spindle that's rotated between the palms of the hands, generating friction upon a surface consisting of a flat wooden "hearth-board." Alternately, the spindle is rotated using a string attached to a curved bow. Either creates an ember on the hearth board, to which is added a tinder bundle and blown on until it ignites.

Flint and steel. This method involves striking a piece of steel against a hard, sharp-edged rock, usually flint, to create sparks. These sparks are directed onto a tinder bundle, which can be a collection of dry, fine materials such as leaves, bark, or shredded cloth.

Sunlight and lens. Focusing sunlight through a lens onto a small point can generate enough heat to ignite dry tinder. This method is dependent on sunny conditions and may not be reliable in all situations.

Preparation

Knowing to stop moving when adverse conditions threaten, to ready a fire before it begins to rain, is a significant understanding of scouting in general. Having knowledge of the land permits the location of natural shelters, such as overhangs or caves; otherwise a shelter must be made to protect the fire.

Choosing the right kind of wood for making the hearth board and spindle is important, as is an awareness of wind conditions and the creation of wind breaks. Characters able to make fire naturally choose locations that are away from overhanging branches, dry grass and other flammable materials, and the need to clear an area around the fire site by removing leaves, twigs, and other potential fuel. If possible, an established fire ring or pit is used, or built if materials permit.

Wilderness fires can reveal the location of the party to others — therefore the character knows to limit size of your fire to what is necessary, reducing the danger of it spreading or using up the available fuel.