Firmak

While a firmak resembles a magma elemental, it is not a true elemental. The firmak were created by the Earthmother during the Age of the Gods in her struggles against Ballaiel, great devil of the underearth.

The base body of the firmak was a magma elemental, but she breathed a very weak life into them. They are not truly sentient beings, but occupy a niche somewhere between an animal and true sentience. As individuals they are little more than highly intelligent animals, but when they gather as a host they can achieve true sentience and act as one accordingly. A very similar technique was used by Nathan Truestrike when he created the Incar (i.e Soul Metal).

• Temporal: Age of the Gods - Present
• Body: Shapeshifter

With bodies containing earth, stone, rock, fire, ore, crystal; the firmak can achieve nearly any form they desire. Unless directed they will mimic the forms found around them. The firmake are not immortal; although they can live for hundreds of centuries. They produce offspring by a technique similar to budding where a firmak in magma will produce a growth that will drop off and become a new firmak. The firmak in an area will reproduce until they have achieved sentience, at which point they will stop budding.

The firmak are not true elementals and thus they are considered native to the Mortal Plane of Miranda. They cannot be bound by circles nor are they hampered by spells of banishment. However, some of their power does draw upon the elementals planes so while they cannot be bound in a circle. In order to leave that circle they will have to leave a measure of their power behind them. They are reluctant to do this unless staying inside the circle would harm them - like an animal chewing off its limb to escape a trap.

The firmak are creatures of magma and thus only encountered in near the caldera or deep underground where pockets of lava is found. While they cannot be summoned and bound as a typical elemental. Magicians can call to them with sufficient power that they may come and investigate. If enough of them arrive and they achieve sentience the magician can bargain with them for service.