In the Istan Desert, within sight of Istan City, there is what remains of an ancient volcano, older then even Therab. It is the center pillar of the volcano, solidified. Around it is a half crescent of black lava and jagged glass made from the lava passing over the sand. There is a dusting of sand over this crescent, making it seem far less dangerous then it is. The pillar itself is made of iron that is starting to turn red from being exposed to the air for so long. On one side of the pillar, where the glass and lava stone crescent is the thickest, is a large doorway with many large steps leading up to it. These doors are shaped from the same iron, tempered so that they are stronger. They are also barred shut and no one has yet to figure out how they can be opened. There is no keyhole or magical command to open them. In truth, they can only be opened from the inside.
To find The Heart of Fire itself, you have to either attempt to climb the near vertical cliff of hot iron or fly. If you can’t do either, perhaps you will be lucky enough to meet with the dragon that has taken up residence here too. Upon reaching the top of the iron pillar you will find a flat top that curves down slightly in the center like a shallow dish. A large open-air temple made of iron, bronze, and red and gold sandstone. The golden-red sandstone pillars, in mimicry of the iron they stand on and are in fact fused to it, curve all the way around the edge of the cliff. They are filled with curved openings done coliseum style with colored glass in all but the first level. When the sun comes through the glass, reds, yellows and even blues and greens play across the open ground. Inside is a huge open space with a large copper building resting in the center. There is a single doorway facing east, exactly opposite the door at ground level below. The door is flanked by two iron bowls about four feet across each. In each one rests a living flame, a pair visiting Fire Elementals.
If they grant you passage inside, you will find yourself in a huge hall. What appeared to be three stories is, in fact, only one inside. All along the top edge of the wall, the third story, is more stained glass, casting more colors down along the opposing walls. There are no torches along the wall, but a six inch grove along the floor where flames lead up to a huge basin with an ever burning fire curled in the center of it. Before that, ironically, is a large tree. The tree is actually in the very center of the domed roof, directly under a hole in the ceiling. It seems to be growing out of floor itself. The bark of this tree is fragment, like cinnamon, and it has many small but sturdy branches with tiny pail green leaves shaped slightly like arrows. An insignia behind both the spice tree and the basin of everlasting fire could explain both. A phoenix made of gold, copper, and silver covers the entirety of the back wall, its huge wings reaching up and out as if to encompass all there under its wing.
If one found a way to cross those lines of fire along the floor, leading from the front door to nearly the back of the main hall and sanctuary, then you could venture into either the side halls or down into the hidden depths of the temple, to what remains of an ancient forge and perhaps to face the anger of the old blacksmith who had taken it upon himself to keep up the upkeep of this place until recently. Tread carefully, as he isn’t one much for visitors!
The other path leads to a brazen hall built almost like a barracks. The many rooms branching off are many though, a practice room, a mess room, a meeting room, and a doorway with no doors that leads down into countless individual bedrooms each with their own door. The walls are dark and warm, like cooled embers trapped in coal. Everything need is provided, even freedom. The Burning Fists are bound only by their word…