Wildfire
Wildfire is a volatile green liquid that burns for a long time. It is created by the Alchemists' Guild, who refer to it as the substance and keep its recipe a close-guarded secret.[1] Wildfire has a green flame when it burns.[2][3]
Contents
Description
- See also: Images of wildfire
Once wildfire takes fire, the substance will burn until it is no more. It will seep into most materials so that they take fire as well. Wildfire will burn even when floating on water. It is typically commissioned for use as a weapon of war, though alchemists will sometimes use wildfire torches as a display of power. The red priest, Thoros of Myr, fights with a sword covered in a thin layer of wildfire, which would burn for an hour.[1][4]
Making wildfire is a lengthy and dangerous process known to the Alchemists' Guild, who claim it involves magic. The alchemists place wildfire in small jars of pottery, the clay roughened and pebbled to improve grip. The jars are filed in a series of bare stone cells. Over each cell lies a room filled with sand and having a "spell" on the floor so that should anything happen, the sand will fall on the fire and help extinguish it.[1]
Old wildfire is 'fickle'; any flame or spark can set them off. Too much heat—such as being exposed to sunlight for even a short time—could lead to a fire. Once the fire begins, the heat makes the wildfire explode violently, which can lead to a vast chain reaction. The more volatile jars of wildfire are transported from place to place only by night, in carts filled with sand to lessen jostling at all, and then sealed in wax and placed in rooms pumped full of water.[1]
Certain steps in making wildfire work better and more efficiently as of more recently. A pyromancer speculates that this could have something to do with the talk of dragons coming back into existence, as the old Wisdom Pollitor held to the idea that the spells for making wildfire were not as effectual as they once were because dragons had gone from the world.[5]
Recent Events
A Clash of Kings
Tyrion Lannister uses wildfire provided by the Alchemists' Guild to defend King's Landing during the Battle of the Blackwater.[1][6]
A Feast for Crows
Cersei Lannister has the alchemists burn the Tower of the Hand with wildfire.[7]
Quotes
The substance flows through my veins, and lives in the heart of every pyromancer. We respect its power.[1]
– Hallyne to Tyrion Lannister
Once it takes fire, the substance will burn fiercely until it is no more. More, it will seep into cloth, wood, leather, even steel, so they take fire as well.[1]
– Hallyne to Tyrion Lannister
Piss on wildfire, and your cock burns off.[6]
– Davos Seaworth, recalling an old seamen's saying
Wildfire is treacherous.[7]
- Jaime Lannister to Cersei Lannister
The flames are so pretty. I want to watch them for a while.[7]
- Cersei Lannister to Jaime Lannister
Behind the Scenes
According to George R. R. Martin, wildfire is inspired by Greek fire.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 20, Tyrion V.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 59, Tyrion XIII.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 61, Tyrion XIV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 29, Sansa II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 49, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 58, Davos III.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 12, Cersei III.
- ↑ George R.R. Martin Talks Season Two, 'The Winds of Winter,' and Real-World Influences for 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (March 26, 2012)