The Burning Sword form the blazing edge of Dragon-Blooded society. They are the ones who blaze new trails for the Realm and challenge the way matters are conducted there. With the Empress gone and the Great Houses at odds over the succession, the Children of Hesiesh are the ones who drive their forward, seeking a resolution to the current crisis of empire.

The Aspects of Fire are the principals of passion and change within Dragon-Blooded society. They are fighters and speakers and lovers of living, although not always of life. At their most undisciplined, they are a wildfire of interests and passions without particular direction. However, the Dynasty frowns on such behaviour, and Fire Aspects are generally true to the restrained ideals of Hesiesh, seeking to focus their inner fire into a jade core of discipline and careful consideration. It is well that they do, for if they were to press the case for anarchy forcefully, it is likely their impassioned demeanour and terrible martial prowess would carry the day.

The Children of Hesiesh serve the Realm as officers, duellists, monks, politicians and professional charmers, and as much else as well. As the Time of Tumult looms, they are the foremost defenders of the Realm, and their strength of character, and of Essence, is constantly put to the test.

Fire burns. This is the very nature of its being - when an object ceases burning, the fire is not sleeping, but dead. And so it is with the Exalted of Fire. Their hearts burn with a passion few others will ever match. To the Children of Hesiesh, passion is everything, and one who no longer feels or believes is no longer alive at all.

A Fire-aspected Dragon-Blood is passion incarnate. When she loves, she loves with all her heart. When she believes, she believes with unsurpassed zealotry. When she hates, she hates with the burning intensity of the Southernmost flames. For some, passion burns like a slow, smouldering bed of coals, quiet and almost unnoticeable until one gets close enough. The hearts of others burn with the raging power of an inferno, visible for all to see and blasting anything that stands before it.

No action is ever meaningless to a Child of Hesiesh. The Aspects of Fire enact religious rituals because they truly believe in their faith. Conflicts - be they martial, political or social - are undertaken because they truly believe in the cause (or at least the people involved). When they love, the objects of their ardour are their heart’s singular fixation, even if only at the times of consummation. Trite, empty activities are for colder, more timid souls. The Fire-aspected are the driving force behind Dynastic society, as their passions often spark flames in the hearts of others. Aspects of Fire challenge complacency, attacking hallowed traditions to remind people why they follow those traditions in the first place and playing devil’s advocate so that ideas and beliefs are re-examined and perfected. That which cannot withstand or be strengthened by the Children of Hesiesh’s scrutiny is simply burned away to make room for something more meaningful.

Aspects of Fire serve similar roles within bonded circles, reminding comrades of their purpose and challenging their assumptions. A Fire-aspected Dragon-Blooded’s loyalty to her circle is unquestionable; her passion will not allow for anything less.

Appearance

Aspects of Fire are marked by an obvious reddish tint to their skin. This tint is even more noticeable among those with high Breeding and becomes darker as the Dragon-Blooded ages - well-bred elders are often a deep and fiery crimson. It is not uncommon for older Dragon-Blooded of this aspect to emit puffs of smoke from their mouths as they speak or from their noses as they breathe. Some elders even radiate heat from their skin, making them extremely warm to the touch.

Aspect Anima

When a Fire-aspected Dragon-Blooded spends Peripheral Essence, her anima ignites into a lambent aura of reds, oranges or yellows, shimmering and blazing like a bonfire. High Essence expenditures result in spectacular eruptions and flickering images of tigers, firebirds and fire dragons and the crackling roar of a forest fire or the dull scream of a stoked blast furnace.

A Fire-aspected Dragon-Blooded can spend 5 motes to ignite her anima. For the rest of the scene, she is immune to fire damage, and anyone striking her without a weapon or wrestling with her takes a number of dice of lethal damage every turn equal to the Chosen’s Essence. If the character succeeds with an unarmed attack or wrestles with a character, her opponent takes a like amount of damage. This damage is applied separately from any damage the character does with an attack, and armour applies to it. This is in addition to the damage caused by a Fire Aspect’s anima normally.

Aspect Abilities

• Athletics
• Dodge
• Melee
• Presence
• Socialise

The Great Curse

A Compassionate Aspect of Fire is often driven by her love for those under her care or simply a deep passion for the concepts of justice and righteousness. When that which she cares deeply about is harmed or threatened, her passion overwhelms her and drives her to despair, self-sacrifice or righteous fury. If her flaw derives from her Conviction, her burning devotion to the cause she fights for makes it possible for her to inflict great suffering in the name of her passion. Although Temperate Fire Exalted might seem like a contradiction, they are quite common. Such a character will likely orient her passions toward self-perfection and enlightenment and direct scorching hatred toward those that cannot live up to her standards, herself included.