//------------------------------//
// (Noir Report) Convergent Evolution in the Development of Basic Spellcraft [Foxfire] 
// Story: The Unique Properties of Dark Magic 
// by Shadestyle 
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Entry #13, Day 91


Is there any reason why, if Prestidigitonium can create flames through undirected force, that Black Flames cannot create movement with directed force?

The Black Flame spell is already capable of a great many things.  More are achieved with each passing day.  That being said, I have found the emotional components needed to tweak the Black Flame ever so slightly.  Spite.  By mixing in the barest hints of Spite, just a small drizzle of it for each ten parts of hatred, the Black Flame can be given physical presence, like it's namesake.  It's not solid, but it becomes able to emit force.

Combining it with the ability to shape Black Flames, I will call this new variant Foxfire, and I'll be working to turn the flames blue as well, for more accuracy to it's source material.  This spell's best use is in the creation of what I call Anima Mercury, an enchanted container of Foxfire which animates the object it is inserted into, so long as it is one whose shape can be parsed by the spell.  I'm certain none reading this tome need a reminder on the usefulness of golems, but if they did, I would remind them that the only thing better than a good golem is a good golem made quickly.

Now, once you can create fire that impacts with physical force, the next step for all individuals who succeed at this is to use it as a weapon.  Especially by combining it with the ability to shape black flames.  So far, I have managed to fling fastballs, curveballs, and various loosely packed weapons made of nothing but that hateful flame.  I've also been working to create an enchanted hilt, which emits the flames in the form of a saber. 

A Darksaber, if you will.

The main flaw of this variant magic is that it consumes more magical power.  Which makes sense, but is still annoying to me.  In theory, at least, if one could somehow pack more spite into the spell without disrupting it from a lack of hatred, one could create a black flame which emits no heat, and is entirely solid.  Of course, I have no evidence to support this theory, for now, at least.

By combining Foxfire with Royal Crystal Growth and Sombra's Corrupt Crystal Creation, a caster can rapidly create extremely crude golems by simply forming an empty, jointed shell, and then filling it with the force emitting flares and commanding it accordingly.  A mastery of this technique is important, if one wishes to create golems in combat, as opposed to preparing them in advance.  Otherwise, it would require that the user create enchantments which drain large amounts of magical energy and require unsuitable amounts of time.  This alternative cuts the speed from painful minutes to life-saving seconds.

Another use of Foxfire is as an alternative to Prestidigitonium.  As the flame itself is emitting raw force in all directions, it naturally forms an equilibrium that protects the caster from the worst effects of magical recoil.  While I don't recommend stress testing it, this means that the user can safely assume that sustaining Foxfire won't meaningfully harm them in the heat of the moment, the way Prestidigitating force might.

I haven't yet worked out the ideal method by which to cast this spell within Unicorn Light, but when I do, I believe it might form the backbone of a very potent attack spell, as a beam which emits force to it's sides could rip apart anything it penetrates, creating a very lethal cavity, combined with the heat and destructive power of Black Flames themselves.  Learning to do so will give any mage yet another powerful tool in their arsenal, suitable for destroying objects and monsters alike.

I am curious if a spell exists fueled solely by spite alone, and what effects it might have injected into the other spells of this tome.  I've never been one to exhaustively explore combinatorial explosions, but in this one circumstance, I may make an exception.  Force Emission is the foundation for many intriguing abilities.  Not least of which is flight of both objects and persons.  Even with Foxfire alone, I've been able to develop techniques and artifacts which allow for a limited amount of hovering over a surface, by emitting force between the ground and an object such as a board.

A... Hoverboard, if you will.

Foxfire can also be summoned as a brief explosion, instead of a sustained flame.  This makes it a much simpler and safer way to perform a second jump in midair, as opposed to my previous methods of using summoned crystal pillars, or Prestidigitonium to launch myself with recoil.  By emitting a pulse of Foxfire at one's feet, the caster can very briefly emit force sufficient to push off of, and, with a firm kick, could propel themselves higher than they would otherwise be able to.





I've discovered an interesting feature of Foxfire, if it isn't one unique to myself.  Namely, that Foxfire is able to confuse methods of detection.  The blend of Spite and Hate together make the flame capable of confusing golems and enchanted items.  Unfortunately, I have my suspicions that this is merely because Spite and Hatred come so naturally to me that the spellwork can't distinguish between me and a mass of the emotions.  I'll be sure to update my security accordingly, as it would be quite embarrassing for that to be the cause of a breach in it.

If other users do find this same property to occur in Foxfire, I urge you to contact me, so I may update the book accordingly.  If that were the case, it would make Foxfire an excellent spell to combine with illusions, such that they can begin to fool automated systems as well as living creatures.  A core of Foxfire buried in a mass of holographic illusion points could make a virtually undetectable body double.

Of course, if that turns out to be true, I'll have to start putting leaves on my head.