The azure flames are a religious group that used to exist in Dah’Rem. They are said to have been a large source of inspiration for the work done by Uerties to unify the Zarathem faith. There is very little known about the group as much of their own religious texts, and artifacts were destroyed or censored during various wars and pogroms. It seems to be implied by some of the work of historians that much of The Uertes is likely adapted, or wholesale taken from the beliefs of this group. It’s believed that many Zarathem artifacts that predate the Uertian split by a long time are actually artifacts of the Azure flames that have since been assimilated.
Flame Festival
It is likely the case that the modern Flame Festival came from traditions carried out by the Azure Flames. There were several documents uncovered by historians who wrote around when Uerties first began the tradition that compare and contrast the two. Originally the flame festival was seemingly a more somber affair, being enacted once a year, or during times of major unrest. A pyre was lit, and various ingredients were added to it to make the flames different colors. The various colors symbolized the type of action that needed atonement.
It was believed that their ancestors could see them through the flame, and were there to see the living pay homage to their mistakes, and atone for them. It’s implied that people were meant to offer something important to themselves in order to atone, and in severe situations to make a pledge while being branded to have their ancestors baked into their skin to watch over them, and make sure they improved.