Fire as a Weapon in the Golem War

Fire holds a particular significance in the frigid realm of Thaldris. To the Frostfolk, it remains an element of terror—unnaturally hot, destructive, and unpredictable. In a world shaped by ice, darkness, and crackling cold, fire is seen as a threat to health, supplies, and order. It is feared and strictly avoided.   The Golems, however, use fire deliberately as an instrument of warfare—with devastating effect. Their first flames did not come from advanced technology but from simple means: striking hard stone against stone, combined with dried algae mats, matted animal hair, and other stubborn organic fuels.   From early on, the Golems began experimenting with ways to carry and deploy fire tactically. Their initial incendiary containers were made from dried animal bladders, filled with flammable substances like whale oil, seal fat, or thickened algae broth, sealed with moss-based wicks. Later, they turned to hardened eggshells of frostwings or other large creatures, which were packed with smoldering mixtures and could be hurled over short distances.   As the war progressed—and as the Golems gained a deeper understanding of fire’s psychological and physical impact—they refined their methods. They began shaping and firing crude clay, first using hearth pits fueled by heated stones and animal grease, and soon developing the first functional kilns. This led to the creation of durable flame-jars: thick-walled vessels filled with oily compounds and fitted with an exterior wick soaked in fat. Just before throwing, the wick was lit—on impact, the jar shattered and spread burning liquid across the target and its surroundings.   They also employed torch-weapons made from hollowed bones, lashed to their arms. Inside, a paste of algae and oil burned slowly, while slits cut into the bone allowed flames to flicker outward. These improvised fire-arms served in close combat and intimidation alike—the flickering blaze in a Golem's grasp became a symbol of its alien, merciless will.   To the Frostfolk, such weapons remain terrifying—not only for their destructive power, but because they awaken a deep ancestral fear. Even now, flickering firelight in dreams is seen as an ominous sign—and many remain silent about such dreams, as if naming them might bring the flame itself.