The Children of Fire

The Children of Fire are described in the prologue to Flames of Hatred (FOH) as the "offspring of the High King's thought". While poetic, this is not wholly descriptive.

The Children of Fire are beings of Fire, Fire being more than a simple chemical reaction. Fire in this sense means "living power". They are not physical beings, bound by physical laws, although they can take physical form, in which case they then become subject to some of the physical laws (they can be killed, for instance). When in their natural state they appear as bright light, although not 'white' light. Each has their own color, and the stronger they are the more brightly they shine. It is in this state they are at their peak of power.

When dealing with the mortal beings and creatures of the Great Sea the Children of Fire generally take on physical form. This can be literally anything they choose. They can remove these forms like garments. However, doing so requires a great amount of energy, and they become vulnerable immediately after doing so. Thus, form changing is generally not done in the presence of enemies.

The Children of Fire were the laborers in the Great Sea's 'detailing'. The Sea itself was made solely by the High King. However, there was little to it at that time. Much of the fashioning which took place afterward was done by the Children of Fire - at the direction of the High King. (Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have built all of his magnificent structures, but I doubt very much that he cut every timber and stone and fitted them together. He may have done some of the physical labor, but mostly he maintained the design and kept the workmen focused on his goal. So it was with the High King and the Great Sea.)

Part of the Children's work was the creation of certain creatures. These creatures were independent of thought and will, able to converse with intelligence, but they were not able to reproduce. Only the dragons, and that with limitations. The creatures were mortal in the sense they would die if they did not eat, or caught a severe sickness, or were given a mortal blow. But age did not diminish their strength. They were highly resistant to illness, so only a few died in that manner. Some did starve during hard times, but most which died did so because of war.

The Children of Fire were given the Great Sea as a playground, and such they did during the years of construction. One was made head over all. This was Kensington, who was the first to come. Draem supported him wholly, but Zenophone was jealous and coveted control. These were the first three to come to the Great Sea, and they led the construction.