The Fire-Wight

The Fire-Wight
The Fire-Wight is a terrifying manifestation of undeath, created when a soul perishes in the intense, magically-charged heat of the Mana Wastes or the volcanic vents of the Cinder King's domain. Their bodies are charred husks, glowing from within with a relentless, flickering orange light. Instead of the cold hunger of typical undead, Fire-Wights are driven by an agonizing heat that they seek to share with the living.
They are often found in groups, haunting the edges of desert outposts or industrial forges where high-heat accidents are common. Their presence is heralded by the smell of ozone and burning flesh, and they leave trails of scorched earth wherever they tread.
Secret Motivation: Fire-Wights are instinctively drawn to sources of concentrated Aether, which they "consume" to temporarily soothe the searing pain of their existence. A large pack of them is currently converging on a major Aether-pipeline terminal, threatening to cause a catastrophic explosion.
Adventure Hook: A Steamfort refinery has been overrun by "shining ghouls." The players are hired to purge the facility, only to discover that the Fire-Wights were drawn there by a leak in an experimental high-pressure Aether tank.