Hephestia

Hephestia, the Bound Flame

Hephestia appears as a wizened Creator woman, or as a beautiful Creator maiden, wreathed in a robe of shimmering fire. She can also manifest as a blazing inferno, though she does so only rarely in times of great anger. Despite what one might expect from an Elemental Spirit of Fire, she is usually soft spoken and infinitely patient, though her ire can certainly be raised by those who would misuse the power of her fire. She is the elemental spirit of Flame, but hers is the domesticated flame.

Basic Pact

• Bid: I bid you to Create and Prepare.
• Offer: I offer you fortitude and a steady hand.
• Purpose: As the forge refines the blade, so the hearth refines the spirit. Not for you to brave the battle! Rather it is your duty to send forth the warrior prepared and keep the home fire burning that he may have a warm hearth to return to. The tamed flame is mine. Attend it well, lest the Unbound Flame consume you!
• Gift: Followers of the Flame receive only an unshaped lump of iron. It is up to the Caller to shape their own gift.
• Mark: Callers of Hephestia are marked with an indelible brand in the shape of either a hammer or a stylized flame. The mark may be placed anywhere, to be chosen by the caller upon forming the dedication, but the brand cannot be concealed. It burns through any clothing placed over it, appearing on the cloth as a seared shape.

Benefits

• Callers of Hephestia are immune to the flames of Hearth and Forge. All "Domesticated" flames are within Hephestia's domain, from candle to campfire to forge. Meaning that a dedicated smith could handle the tools of his trade bare handed and a matron at the hearth could stir the embers with only her hand.
• Callers of Hephestia receive a +1 bonus to all NON-COMBAT fire magic. Lighting a domestic flame requires only a touch and an effort of will. (Candles, torches, fireplace, forge)
• Hephestia does not encourage the use of her element in combat, save in the defense of the hearth and home. Callers receive a -1 to Combat fire magic unless they are defending others.

Personality

Hephestia in any aspect is soft spoken and gentle. She is motherly and kind unless provoked, but suffers no fools and does not hesitate to chastise unruly visitors to her realm. She is like the elemental fire that she represents, helpful when courted correctly, but very dangerous when roused or mocked. She sees (rightfully) all tamed flame as her own and dislikes its misuse. As she is provoked, her form becomes less and less contained, descending into wild flames if she is pushed over the edge.