bonefyre

Bonefyre is a term used in fantasy fiction, role-playing games, and folklore to describe a magical flame generated from bone-derived materials, such as bone ash or marrow. It is not a real phenomenon. In many depictions, bonefyre emits a pale, blue-white light and burns with unusual steadiness, often at a cooler temperature than ordinary fire. The flame is typically linked to necromantic or ancestral magic, serving as both tool and symbol of death's threshold.

Origins and variants: The concept appears across different settings with few shared rules, yielding a range of interpretations. Some traditions describe bonefyre as a remnant of rites to commune with ancestors; others treat it as a byproduct of bone-based necromancy.

Mechanics and maintenance: In many depictions, bonefyre must be sustained by bone-derived fuel or ritual attention. It may be conjured with incantations, relics, or lineage-specific gestures and often requires a spoken oath or a connection to a particular lineage. Some versions burn without consuming material.

Uses and symbolism: Bonefyre commonly serves ritual purposes such as ancestral communication, warding undead, or sealing oaths. It also appears in crafting or activating magical wards, lighting in fetid ruins, or powering artifacts that respond to bone-based magic, depending on the setting's rules.

Reception and examples: In games and novels, bonefyre is treated with caution due to necromantic associations and potential curses. Its specifics are defined by the work, resulting in varied lore rather than a single canonical portrayal.