Essay: An In-Depth Analysis of Force Pyrokinesis

[Theprettiestorc]

*This written report has been moved by the Lorekeeper, Sith Kaer. It was once in the Acolyte Archives, but she has moved it to the Sith Archives, where Apprentices and above may access it. Acolyte can no longer access this report.* 

Essay: An In-Depth Analysis of Force Pyrokinesis
By: Acolyte Ida Velaris

Foreward

Force Pyrokinesis is an ability which can be described as esoteric, at best, and lethal to the user, at worst. As the saying goes, when you play with fire, you are going to get burned. My own mother, Sith Velaris, was known for her practice of the ability, and utilized its sheer destructive potential for years against the Republic, as well as utilizing it against myself. Having felt its embrace, it has driven me to learn the ability, as well, and perfect it.

However, this is no simple endeavor. Any shortcuts will end in tragedy. This is not an ability someone simply learns, it is a way of thinking, an entire path all its own, if one wishes true control.

What Is It?

In the simplest terms, Pyrokinesis is the control of fire, or the creation thereof. Users of Pyrokinesis have been recorded utilizing it for something so small as lighting a candle, to controlling a blazing inferno spreading throughout a building, to pulling the incendiary components from an explosion away from allies, although the lattermost results in death of the user if unskilled. Most uses can lead to death, especially in a Galactic Environment where one fire in a pressurized environment can take out the very ship you are aboard. In terms of classification, this falls under the Alter path, or changing the Force outside of yourself and affecting other objects - and inherently, is not aligned to either Sith or Jedi, Dark or Light. It is simply an ability, derived from Telekinesis, but far more in-depth and with much more possibility of error. Should one not endeavor to learn the ability, it is then prudent to be aware it exists, if Jedi may also wield it, and other Force-based cultures besides.

Fire, itself, is a byproduct and reaction in which Carbon is combined with Oxygen - turning Oxygen into Carbon Dioxide. It must have fuel to burn, something that is Carbon-rich like plant materials, cloth, wood, or even a person. It must then have additional fuel, or at a bare minimum, more Oxygen. In a controlled Oxygenated environment, such as a medical facility or the pressurized environment of a ship, fire may spread uncontrollably through tanks, vents, and the like. This is why we do not smoke while traversing the stars, or inside buildings if possible.

How It Works

Since I am yet an Acolyte, information from here on is purely conjecture. However, based in logic, science, and the guidance of Apprentice Sovernus, my Hypothesis and Theorem is as solid as I have been able to make it.

The first step would have to be an awareness of the environment around. You must have your starting material, such as grass, which will provide fuel for your flame. You must have an abundant amount of Oxygen to direct your flame, and feed it, or in the cases of control, be aware of how to smother said flame, such as utilizing water or earthen materials. In this step, and in my opinion, one must be well-trained in their Sense ability to detect such minutiae as molecules.

The second step is the combustion. By causing friction, rubbing Oxygen molecules against the Carbon-rich material, and applying pressure, one forces the chemical bonds to change. At a visible level, this would mean lighting a wick on fire, a piece of cloth, a blade of grass, or et cetera. This step is often skipped by a practitioner utilizing a lighter, an artificial source of flame, but reliance on anything but your own ability will be a shortcoming in such a dangerous technique. By causing this friction, though, and the explosive chemical reaction, we gain a flame.

The third step would be the nurturing. A small flame does not deter anyone - a flame surrounded by Oxygen of the air, guided to other Carbon-rich materials, will. By coaxing your flame, you can turn one little combustion into a roaring inferno quite swiftly. This is where most use the ability, and the most visible part, creating a large flame in seemingly no time at all.

The fourth step is control. With a solid fire, now you must direct it. Fire is greedy, primordial - it requires fuel to survive, and will devour any placed before it. By controlling the Oxygen about it, concentrating it more in one area while depriving another area, you may direct it forward at a foe, create a wall in between two people, or send it wherever you choose. This is the most neglected part, and the most important: if you do not control it absolutely, it will not only go where you wish it, but spread further, in other directions. There is no true way to snuff out an entire burning building easily, and such collateral may not only kill allies, but provide distraction for an opponent to escape.

If there is a fifth and final step, it is cessation. Pulling Oxygen away, leaving only Carbon Dioxide, smothering the fire with its own byproduct. Bringing up the ground around it, and smothering it, preventing Oxygen from getting to it. Dousing water upon it, creating steam and dispersing the heat. In practice matches, or against those of one's own Powerbase, one would not want to leave the fire burning and spreading. Force Tutaminis, absorbing the energy of the heat, is also a possibility here, and also a danger if one goes against a Jedi. After all, they might simply absorb your flame if it is not strong enough, and use that power against you.

Prerequisites

Given my above theorem, I can say that there certainly do not seem to be more abilities one needs to know beforehand besides a fair grasp of Telekinetics and Sense. However, in order to have absolute control, and utilize the technique to deadly efficacy, I believe that some abilities would form a good basis for learning it, based on the discipline required to learn and the nature of one would need to know to fulfill said theorem.

Force Sense is a basis, but Force Precognition and Force Sight urge you to have a far deeper awareness of your surroundings. As well as your basic senses, knowing the air composition by scent or even taste, one must have such an acute knowledge of what is about them that they can practice even upon the molecules themselves.

Another basis is Force Telekinesis, the core of this, as an Alter ability. Deeper abilities in that line, such as Force Wound, Force Grip, or even Force Choke, enforce that you focus on a smaller point. What are molecules, then, if not the smallest points of all? For creating the initial combustion, and control afterward, it is key to have such an innate ability to focus on such points to avoid accidents, and never have to rely on a tool to do the work for oneself.

Finally, to see greater application in battle, Force Augmentation and Force Speed would be excellent modifiers. The latter delves into speeding up one's mind - in mere seconds, one can decide an entire duel. To exact Pyrokinesis as I have detailed it, being adept at swift calculation would be key in using this ability against a single opponent, or directing a flame away from oneself. Force Tutaminis would also be a great accessory to it, as will be detailed further below.

In this, Pyrokinesis is classified as an Alter ability, but brickwork from Control and Sense would also be key in making it unstoppable.

Applications, Orthodox or Otherwise

At a base-level, one may use Pyrokinesis to create a fire. Outside of battle, this provides disposal, or heat in case of difficult conditions. In a battle, one may use it to separate opponents, to defend an ally by creating a wall between them and their adversary, to destroy a large number of adversaries at once, and even to ignite certain things such as placed explosives. One may burn a building down around someone, or start a fire on a ship from within to destroy it utterly, assuming the user can escape such.

In an interesting case, one may start a fire and nurture it, then utilize Tutaminis to absorb the energy and re-empower themselves, thereby creating extra energy to the detriment of the environment about them. One may use the ability to gain distance, create a smokescreen to make a tactical retreat. One can utilize an existing flame, direct it where it needs to be, in partnership with those that use equipment to create it. Perhaps most fascinating of all, since most houses of comfort have fireplaces, one could create an "accident" and never be attributed to it, since fire is a natural element.

Conclusion, Related Abilities

In summary, Pyrokinesis is a very rare ability to encounter. It is quite destructive, usually to the user as well, but at full potential, I firmly believe it may outshine damage potential of even lightning, with far less signal of buildup. As a neutral power, it does not corrupt so easily as other offensive abilities, and in almost any situation, people will have an immediate flight response when encountered with a roaring flame. A master of Pyrokinesis would be feared, respected, and ultimately, an invaluable asset to those allied, and a clever master would have little problem in beating down opposition when the ability came out to play. Truly, it is a power to be respectful of even if one does not endeavor to learn it.

Similar abilities which I have not covered are Cryokinesis, which draws the heat away from a target to flash-freeze them (perhaps by altering their electron clouds?), and Alter Environment, in which one could create massive amounts of heat from the ground to create an eruptive effect. Both are also fairly intensive abilities, perhaps giving credence to true skill required to learn Pyrokinesis.

Anyone might learn it, but forcing the ability would be akin to having to put a screw into a board and utilizing a stone to bash it. The above methodology is a way to provide true groundwork for full utilization and potential. Thank you for reading.

Force serve, ever and always.