ildkraft

Ildkraft is a term used in fantasy and speculative fiction to denote a form of fire-based energy or magic. The word is a compound of ild, meaning fire in several Germanic languages, and kraft, meaning power or strength, reflecting its use in northern European-inspired settings.

In fiction, ildkraft typically allows a practitioner to generate, control, and shape flames, project heat, or burn objects at will. Some depictions treat it as a natural phenomenon tied to the wielder's life force, while others cast it as a discrete supernatural force with its own rules, costs, and consequences. Common mechanics include a dedicated resource such as mana or stamina that fuels abilities, as well as limits like overexertion, backfire risks, or weakness to water and cold.

In role-playing games, literature, and video games, ildkraft appears as a usable skill or class trait, with variations in its range, intensity, and interaction with environmental factors (wind, fuel sources, barriers). It is often contrasted with other elemental powers, such as ice or earth, within a broader magic system.

Because ildkraft is a fictive term with no single canonical definition, its exact rules differ by setting. It can serve as a narrative device to explore themes of control, responsibility, and the costs of wielding dangerous power. Related concepts include fire magic and pyrokineticism.