Fire

Stenza have a peculiar relationship with fire. They need it in order to do things like forge metals, but they cannot safely get near it. (It's also tricky to maintain given the general climate in which they live.) However, Stenza migration routes have historically brought them into contact with the Sandibari and their forests. Early Stenza experimented with the twigs, branches, and remains of dead trees that they had found, accidentally starting two forest fires and possibly spawning their paranoia over the source of light and heat. As per negotiations with the Sandibari, further experimentation was conducted when the Stenza returned north, where gradually, by the bold, fire was understood and then harnessed for specific and distant use in the Frozen Wastes.
Fire is regarded with higher than usual superstition in Stenza culture, and in the past was believed to be associated with a specific spirit (who would bear that name when they joined the Snow Pups). As such it is customary among Metalsmiths, miners, and anyone else who must engage with the process of starting a fire to pour libations to the spirit in the belief (or hope) that this will prevent disaster.

Access & Availability

Fire is widely considered something that one must be trained carefully in order to handle correctly. Usually this is done by apprenticing under someone who already works with the element and can pass on the ways of properly doing so. This may require joint work with a Religious Expert, especially when it comes to matters involving libations to spirits.

Related Items

• Flaying Knife

Related Materials

• Steel