Flame • hereditary boons that are specific to bloodlines and individuals, supplementing their natural magic with various unique powers. Most mortals of this universe have Flame too weak to use.

Heat • how "hot" a Flame burns; dictates how powerful it is and how often its powers can be called upon. From strongest to weakest, the heats are: Dominion > Harbinger > Throne > Glory > Pillar > Wings > Servant.

Passion • the unique powers of a Flame - what its conceptual wavelength resonates with, broadly describing the powers it bestows. Passions can be incredibly specific, or very broad (ex. the Blue Flame of Victory). Every passion has a unique color associated with it.

Stoking • the act of making a Flame stronger, potentially enough to increase its heat into another. Not all Flames can be stoked. 'Stoking' generally involves doing things that align with the Flame's Passion (ex. a Flame of art is stoking by creating, appreciating, or collecting art). 

Shearing • the act of passing a Flame on, usually by having children (though there are other means of separating someone from their Flame). The process 'shears' and weakens the original Flame, usually almost completely.

Soot-seeing • the practice of reading an individual's internal Flame to understand its color, and therefore its Passion. Soot-seers can also vaguely tell if a Flame is capable of being stoked. It is a difficult and imprecise art.

Remeyan
Originally a member of Verebriva's army after Marary's defeat, and secretly a Flame. He rose up against Verebriva against the prosecution of Flame. Though Saen defeated him, Remeyan was given the badlands beyond the mountains to form his own nation, eventually the Holy Empire. 

Nereen
Previous Emperor, who was mysteriously assassinated only ~200 years into his reign with no trained heir. The circumstances surrounding his death are largely opaque, and the assassin has yet to be arrested. He was not generally unpopular or disliked, nor particularly beloved.

Peaches
The current Emperor of the Holy Empire, instated after the Blue Flame was found in his hands. The previous Emperor, Nereen, had been assassinated without an heir, leading to a national scandal. Peaches, being dual-flamed akin to a member of the Ardor, has soothed his people easily.

Helion
A Glory Flame within the Court and a highly-skilled soot-seer. Helion is usually called upon to read the newest Flames' passions, and is shockingly adept. Though he predates most of the current Court, he is not of Canthores blood, and is tight-lipped about himself and what he's gone through to sit at their table.

Lurifax
Throne of Metal, member of the Empire's Candescent Court, able to create wondrous contraptions out of various metals, the most impressive being living metal chassis he calls 'robots'. Gifts the new Emperor a full set of service 'robots' upon their inauguration. 

Candescent Court
The Court of Flame who assist the Emperor and handle most of the day-to-day governing while the Emperor holds court for citizens. Often considered the Emperor's closest associates and advisors, though in reality they're a scheming political hotpot of their own.

The Ardor
One of the major belief systems of the world, which believes that ten Dominion-Flamed individuals crafted the world from their Flame and bestow their blessings on certain individuals.

Fervor
One of the major belief systems of the world, which says that four creator deities unite to defeat the world-eater at the end of days. Pleasing one of the four creators can ensure a beneficial reincarnation in the next era.

Lacraya
A southeasterly medium-sized continent comprised of tundra, mountains, and barren scrublands with some minor forests. On its surface are the nations: Holy Empire, Verebriva, and Sendrea Kingdoms.

Verebriva
The northernmost nation on Lacraya, made up of cold, harsh snowlands and dense pine forests. Verebriva has historically been abused by powerful Flames and is incredibly adverse to their presence. They are self-sufficient and value independence. Verebriva is ruled by the Crown, a title passed to the winner of a decennial tournament of duels.

The Holy Empire
The largest nation on Lacraya, encompassing the land from Verebriva's southern mountains to the continent's southern coastline. Most of its cities and towns hug the Savalla River. The use of Flame to supplement its peoples' lives has enabled small villages to thrive. It is ruled by its Emperor, who passes down the nation's sacred Blue Flame to a chosen heir after their reign.

Sendrea Kingdoms
A western coastal nation comprised of many small duchies that unified over taxation and trade. One of the wealthier countries in the world, it boasts a strong navy and numerous trading fleets. With dazzling cities on stunning beaches, money and ambition flow freely. Its leaders are the Crown Council, the heads of the twelve founding noble families.