Firebird

AKA "Primal Phoenix", this Great Spirit embodies a dual nature--destruction and rebirth/healing. Not to be confused with the lesser phoenix, which are echoes of one side or the other of its nature.

Originally an ephemeral spirit called into existence whenever a wildfire reached a certain critical mass, it was synonymous with devastation until the 3rd age. When the Firebird manifested, no mortal force could quell its flames--it would burn everything down to fine ash and the only solution was to flee to barren ground.

In the time between the 2nd and 3rd age, desperate primalists discovered that by creating a focus (known as the Jade Phoenix) and binding the manifested Firebird with willing blood sacrifices, they could temper the flames, creating the other side of its nature--the flames that purify and bring healing. Doing so meant it would take up residence in a mortal host, granting them healing powers and long life. Since then, it is much more known for this beneficent side than for the catastrophic side.

Two organizations are devoted to the Firebird, one to each nature:

• The Circle of Purging Flame hopes to reawaken the catastrophe and purge the continent of the "cancer" of civilization.
• The Circle of Radiant Wings has nurtured the benevolent side, picking hosts and opposing the Purging Flame wherever possible.