I would encourage you to make your own Ignispex for the realm of SpireHelm, however you do not need to make an entire entry about them in order to use them in your creations. Simply follow the blueprint to get an idea of what they might be like, and add them into your collections and records as you’d like. If you don’t have an idea for one but want to incorporate them into your writing, I’m sure people in the community would be happy to offer theirs to you.
Theme:
The Ignispex represents a spin on a classic oracle, seer, or dark prophet in traditional fantasy. For the Spirefolk, the oracles of this realm all fall under this title, limited to flames. So when making your Ignispex consider leaning into tropes and themes of classic retro fantasy.
Remember that the idea here is for each Ignispex to be mysterious, mythic in nature and mostly unknowable. You don’t need to write an extensive backstory for them. Knowledge of them should come from their encounters with Spirefolk and word of them being passed around the realm.
Often, Spirefolk will stumble across an Ignispex without preparation, they may have something with them that they could offer for kindling, or maybe they would need to go find offerings and return as a supplicant later.
Lastly, remember that NO SINGLE IGNISPEX should be able to offer everything to any supplicant. They speak in riddles and rhymes, only giving information that relates to their craft. So for someone to gain all they seek, they would need to find MANY Ignispex for all their queries to be answered.
The Blueprint:
If you wish to make a strong Ignispex for your own works, and especially if you want others to reference them, I recommend that you follow this blueprint to solidify their attributes. Though some are more important than others, you do not need to complete every aspect at once, feel free to come back to it as your ideas shift and develop.
I’ve ordered these aspects not by importance, but in the order that a person would encounter them (Aside from their craft).
Often, Spirefolk would stumble across them by accident, as such they would likely first encounter a strange and unfamiliar location where the Ignispex resides, their Sanctum. Then they would behold the countenance of this strange creature, often frightening in its strangeness. Then the Ignispex would ask for an offering and in return promise oracles of truth and desires. That is when the Ignispex may introduce themselves or when the supplicant would realize who they have found. Lastly, they would realize the limitations of the prophet, depending on their craft and kindling, they may receive many differing oracles. Keep this in mind when writing or creating something regarding your Ignispex or others’.
Craft
Arguably the most important part of an Ignispex is their craft. Pick something narrow that still allows for variability in offerings.
Bad example: Plants
- Too broad
- Kindling could be anything from a seed to a full tree
- Doesn’t have a lot of distinct character
Good Example: Roses
- Still a plant but much more specific
- Each color of rose could offer a different type of oracle
- Has a much more distinct character which can help with Countenance and Sanctum
Consider the different types of kindling that a supplicant might bring to your Ignispex, if you can think of a few types but not hundreds, then you’re on the right track.
Sanctum
The sanctum of your Ignispex could be anything from a location in the land like a tower, or cave, to a means of locating or summoning them like a ritual or set of instructions.
Additionally this section should include (if relevant) where your Ignispex resides. Think about your five senses. How does the air feel? What objects or remnants are scattered about? What is the floor made of? What does it smell like?
Countenance
The most memorable aspect of these prophets for many Spirefolk is their physical appearance. These are strange creatures that can look like anything. Consider how your Ignispex looks, are they a beast? Do they look like an old woman? An owl? A tree? The possibilities are endless, but pick something that feels natural for their craft, and better yet something unsettling or strange.
Stricture
Where each Ignispex is limited to a craft, their oracles should also be limited by which type of kindling a supplicant brings for an offering. Since these seers are typically neutral in motive, they will only give what they feel fits the offerings, demanding more for a different oracle or prophesy.
While this section can be left unspecified, feel free to design a system for your kindlings where each category within your craft offers a look into a different part of the unseen.
Known Oracles (optional)
Lastly, you can provide a list of Known Oracles that the Archive has seen. This is not necessary, but could provide a more narrative look into how your Ignispex operates. This would be helpful for those who want to write stories that include your Ignispex in them without getting their stricture wrong, or writing in a way that conflicts with your original vision.