The wrath of the Fire Cults of Gorgast Barrens is feared throughout the lands, despite their legendary reclusiveness. Many an adventurer has set out to pillage their fabulous ruby hoards, and been successful, only to find themselves - or their descendants! - attacked by vengeful cultists many years later. It is said that the cults carve the names of transgressors into basalt slabs and only throw them into lava pits when their price has been paid in full.

One of the most frightening spells these strange and violent cultists have been granted by their flaming spiritual masters is called Dogfire. This spell is cast on a flammable piece of material associated with the target - this might be hair, clothing, unfinished food, even dried spoor. It takes three days and nights of fierce concentration as well as the sacrifice of a willing warrior to complete and when finished, the material is utterly consumed.

A thin line of fire burns away from the caster, hunting its victim at the speed of a galloping horse, sizzling over rock and grass with equal facility. Although quite small, it is very tenacious and almost impossible to quench. It will pause in places the target has rested, working mischief as best it can, burning houses and inns, setting sections of forest alight as well as anyone who tries to stop it.

Due to its small size it can be difficult to see, especially in broad daylight, but the Dogfires have been known to heat metal to bending point. Heavy rain will cause it to take shelter and possibly lose the scent for a while, as will crossing rivers, even by bridge. If forced to it will follow over bridges and smoulder in boats for a while but it prefers to go around any bodies of water where possible.

Once it catches up to its target, it will spread over their whole body very quickly and burn them as though they'd been doused in oil. The fire will persist in its hunt for years and decades, and although a burning victim can be partially quenched, once it catches up it will always spring back within a matter of hours, like a persistent disease.

Certain priestly blessings have been said to be able to hold Dogfire at bay for a time, but only immersion in sacred springs high in the Everazure mountains for no less than three days will put a stop to it for good, or at least for a few years. Crossing an ocean may also delay the hunt significantly.