GearAscendancy.com

Mistcaller Lantern

—

by

Dale
in

From: Spectral Lupines

Tier One Stats:

  • Light Dispelling: The lantern emits a dim, eerie light that dispels magical darkness and mist within a 15-foot radius.
  • Ethereal Reveal: The lantern has the ability to reveal hidden ethereal creatures or objects that are invisible or in the ethereal plane.

Skills:

  • No specific skills affected, but the abilities of light dispelling and ethereal reveal can have significant impacts on exploration and encounters involving darkness and ethereal creatures or objects.

Cost: The Mistcaller Lantern is a unique and sought-after magical item. Its cost could be approximately 600 gold pieces or equivalent value in your game system.

Tags: Ethereal Detection, Dim Light, Darkness Dispelling, Exploration Aid, Spectral Illumination, Ghostly, Haunted Realms, Vision Enhancement, Silver Bound, Mystical Artifact, Shadow Counter, Hidden Passage Detection

Item Type: Lantern

Rarity: Uncommon

Magical: Yes

Spectral/Light: Yes

Lore: The Mistcaller Lantern is an ancient artifact, rumored to have been forged by a legendary spectral artisan. It is said that the lantern’s creation involved capturing ethereal mists and binding them with silver, creating a conduit between the material and spectral planes. Legends speak of its use by spectral guides and adventurers who ventured into haunted realms, relying on the lantern to dispel darkness and reveal hidden ethereal entities.

Use: The Mistcaller Lantern provides the Spectral Lupine with utility in dispelling darkness and revealing hidden ethereal creatures or objects. Here are its primary uses:

Light Dispelling: When ignited, the Mistcaller Lantern emits a dim, eerie light within a 15-foot radius. This light dispels magical darkness and mist, allowing the Spectral Lupine and its allies to navigate and explore areas shrouded in darkness. It can counteract magical effects that obscure vision and provide a source of illumination in dimly lit or shadowy environments.

Ethereal Reveal: The lantern possesses the unique ability to reveal hidden ethereal creatures or objects that are otherwise invisible or reside in the ethereal plane. This ability allows the Spectral Lupine to detect and interact with spectral entities, uncovering their presence and providing a means to engage them. It can be invaluable in encounters with ethereal foes, invisible enemies, or when searching for hidden spectral artifacts.

Exploration and Investigation: The Mistcaller Lantern is a valuable tool for exploration and investigation. It enables the Spectral Lupine to explore areas shrouded in magical darkness, uncover hidden ethereal threats or treasures, and navigate safely through mist-filled environments. The lantern’s abilities can aid in locating important quest items, revealing hidden passages, or uncovering secrets obscured by spectral energies.

Countermeasure Against Ethereal Beings: By revealing hidden ethereal creatures or objects, the Mistcaller Lantern grants the Spectral Lupine a significant advantage in encounters with spectral adversaries. It allows the Lupine to target and engage enemies that would otherwise be invisible or difficult to detect, giving it the upper hand in combat situations. Additionally, the ability to dispel magical darkness can disrupt the tactics and abilities of ethereal foes reliant on shadows and obscurity.

Symbolic Representation: The Mistcaller Lantern serves as a symbolic representation of the Spectral Lupine’s connection to the ethereal plane and its role as a guide between realms. It emphasizes the Lupine’s spectral nature and its ability to bridge the gap between the material and spectral planes. The ornate design of the lantern reflects the craftsmanship of spectral artisans and evokes a sense of mystique and otherworldliness.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Mistcaller Lantern might be found in various specialized shops catering to adventurers, scholars, and occult practitioners. Given its rarity and unique properties, the price and availability of the lantern would vary depending on the type of shop and its location:

  • Arcane Emporiums (Cost: 700–750 gold pieces)
    • Located in major cities, arcane emporiums are run by skilled mages and enchanters, offering magical items and tools for adventurers. Here, the Mistcaller Lantern might be sold in pristine condition, carefully appraised and displayed as a rare artifact of mystical significance. The shopkeeper would ensure that only trusted or worthy clients can acquire it, often giving a brief explanation of its spectral lore and power.
  • Occult Curiosity Shops (Cost: 600–650 gold pieces)
    • In smaller towns or hidden markets, curiosity shops focused on the occult might offer the Mistcaller Lantern. These shops deal in rare, often misunderstood artifacts tied to the supernatural. The lantern would be displayed among relics from haunted ruins, spectral charms, and cursed objects. Shopkeepers may emphasize its history as a tool of spectral guides, and bargaining for it is more common. These lanterns may show signs of wear, adding to their mystery and allure.
  • Black Markets or Rogue Traders (Cost: 500–600 gold pieces)
    • Black markets and rogue traders in the underworld or hidden districts of large cities might carry the Mistcaller Lantern as a high-demand item, but with questionable origins. The price here would be lower due to the lack of formal appraisal, and there is a chance that these lanterns are imitations or stripped of their full magical potential. Buyers would need to be cautious of fraudulent versions or incomplete items.
  • Religious Sanctuaries or Temples of the Spectral (Cost: 800–850 gold pieces)
    • In sanctuaries dedicated to gods or spirits of the spectral or ethereal plane, the Mistcaller Lantern may be sold as a relic of divine or spiritual significance. Priests and acolytes may offer the lantern to devoted followers, typically at a premium price, viewing it as a sacred tool for those venturing into the ethereal realms. Purchasing here would likely involve a ritual or blessing, reinforcing the item’s connection to the spirit world.
  • Traveling Peddlers and Ghost Merchants (Cost: 550–700 gold pieces)
    • Nomadic merchants, particularly those attuned to the ethereal or spectral, might offer the Mistcaller Lantern while traveling between remote regions or haunted locales. These peddlers often source rare items from ancient ruins, forsaken tombs, or forgotten villages. Pricing would vary based on availability and local demand, with the possibility of negotiation, particularly for adventurers who have gained the trust of the merchant.
  • Antiquarian Shops (Cost: 650–700 gold pieces)
    • Found in cities rich in history or near ruins, antiquarian shops specialize in ancient relics and rare artifacts from past civilizations. The Mistcaller Lantern would be regarded as a significant historical item with mystical powers, tied to legends of spectral artisans. These shops might sell the lantern with detailed records of its origin, ensuring authenticity. Due to its antiquity and magical properties, it would be priced at a high rate, especially if it comes with documented lore.

In the world of Saṃsāra, the Mistcaller Lantern plays a pivotal role in both defense and offense, particularly when navigating environments filled with magical darkness, ethereal threats, or haunted locales. The item’s versatility makes it a powerful tool for strategic combat, exploration, and roleplay, as it allows characters to engage with enemies and navigate treacherous environments in creative ways.

  • Roleplay in Defensive Use
    • Haunted Ruins or Cursed Forests
      • When exploring haunted ruins or cursed forests, where supernatural entities and dangerous spirits lurk, the Mistcaller Lantern is vital for defense. Its Light Dispelling ability would be used to clear magical darkness, revealing hidden traps, concealed enemies, or dangerous terrain. Characters might roleplay carefully lighting the lantern to illuminate a ghostly path or dispel an enchanted mist conjured by malevolent spirits. The eerie glow would instill a sense of safety, allowing the party to proceed with greater caution while reducing ambush opportunities for enemies who thrive in shadows.
        • Defense against Ambushes: Players can roleplay moments where the party is on edge, preparing for spectral ambushes. Lighting the lantern would dispel illusions, mists, or darkness, forcing enemies like ghosts, wraiths, or ethereal beings into the open, negating their advantage.
        • Safeguarding Allies: The lantern can be used defensively to reveal ethereal threats trying to bypass physical defenses. Roleplay could involve the bearer holding the lantern aloft during a camp watch, protecting sleeping companions by dispelling hidden dangers that attempt to approach under the cover of mist or invisibility.
    • Dark Tunnels or Subterranean Dungeons
      • In subterranean environments like dungeons or deep caverns, where magical darkness may render traditional light sources useless, the Mistcaller Lantern shines as a defensive tool. The character wielding the lantern might act as the guide, ensuring that the party stays protected from environmental hazards or hidden spectral dangers. Roleplay could involve tense moments as the party makes its way through treacherous tunnels, with the lantern’s dim light exposing otherwise invisible threats.
        • Revealing Spectral Creatures: The Ethereal Reveal ability would help detect enemies phasing between the material and ethereal planes, turning the lantern into a tool for preemptively countering surprise attacks. Roleplay could focus on the tension as the lantern’s light flickers, revealing an invisible adversary just before an attack, giving the party a chance to react defensively.
        • Evading Ethereal Pursuers: In a chase through a dark dungeon, the lantern might be used to throw off ethereal pursuers. Roleplay could focus on the tension of guiding the group through narrow passageways, with the lantern illuminating hidden creatures or objects that might otherwise block their escape route.
  • Roleplay in Offensive Use
    • Combat with Ethereal or Invisible Creatures
      • The Mistcaller Lantern plays an important role in combat encounters with creatures that use invisibility or phasing between planes. By revealing ethereal enemies, it allows characters to target them directly, converting an initially defensive tool into an offensive asset. Roleplay might involve a fighter or mage holding the lantern in one hand while attacking newly-revealed creatures, giving them a distinct advantage in combat.
        • Turning the Tide of Battle: A roleplay scenario could focus on a dire situation where the party is overwhelmed by invisible or ethereal enemies. The Mistcaller Lantern is ignited, instantly revealing the hidden creatures, shifting the fight in favor of the party. Characters could react to this by coordinating their attacks, knowing exactly where to strike for maximum impact.
        • Using the Lantern in Combat Strategy: The bearer could use the lantern strategically, positioning it in a way that exposes enemies hiding in the mist or darkness. Roleplay might focus on careful placement of the lantern, forcing ethereal creatures into areas of revealed light, where the party can more effectively deal damage. This strategic use of light could be key to gaining control of the battlefield.
    • Assaulting Spectral Fortifications or Enchanted Spaces
      • In ethereal fortresses or areas protected by magical darkness and traps, the lantern allows for offensive exploration. Roleplay might focus on using the light to disable protective barriers of darkness or to expose hidden foes within enchanted structures. The party may rely on the lantern to breach defenses that rely on the obscurity of spectral magic.
        • Exposing Ethereal Defenses: As the party approaches a spectral fortress or enchanted space, roleplay could involve using the lantern to cut through dense fog or mist, revealing spectral sentinels or protective wards. With these threats exposed, the party can launch a coordinated attack, turning an impenetrable stronghold into a vulnerable target.
        • Disabling Spectral Traps: In ethereal environments, traps may be hidden within layers of mist or magical darkness. Characters could use the Mistcaller Lantern to reveal and disarm these traps, turning it into an offensive tool that clears the path for further assaults. Roleplay could involve intense moments of concentration as the lantern-bearer moves cautiously, revealing dangers just before the party falls into them.
  • Roleplay in Environmental and Tactical Use
    • Navigating Misty or Dark Terrain
      • In dense fog or mist-filled environments, the lantern’s light helps navigate and avoid danger. The party might use it to reveal hidden paths, avoid ambushes, or spot lurking enemies in the mist. Roleplay here could emphasize the tension of moving through mysterious, ethereal landscapes, with the lantern providing a small zone of safety and clarity.
        • Scouting Ahead: Roleplay might involve a rogue or ranger using the Mistcaller Lantern to scout ahead in a dense forest or misty marshland, revealing enemies or obstacles in the distance. This helps the party plan ambushes or avoid traps set by ethereal creatures.
    • Conducting Offensive Investigations
      • The lantern’s Ethereal Reveal ability might also be used offensively to search for hidden treasures, spectral secrets, or artifacts concealed by magic. Roleplay could revolve around carefully searching through ruins, crypts, or tombs, where the light dispels magical illusions, granting access to otherwise unreachable places.
        • Offensive Investigation for Hidden Objects: Characters might use the lantern to locate hidden ethereal objects or secret rooms within cursed tombs. Roleplay could involve intense scrutiny of the environment, revealing spectral doors, cursed items, or hidden inscriptions that only become visible under the lantern’s light. This offensive investigation allows the party to find valuable loot or uncover crucial information.

In each case, the Mistcaller Lantern serves as a key to unlocking potential in combat and exploration, its light empowering both defensive and offensive strategies, transforming darkness into opportunity.

Perception of Activation:

  • Sight
    • What’s Perceived: Upon activation, the Mistcaller Lantern emits a pale, ghostly blue light that slowly intensifies. Ethereal mists swirl within the lantern’s transparent chamber, expanding outward in a 15-foot radius. The light pushes away shadows, cutting through magical darkness and revealing any hidden ethereal creatures or objects. For those with keen vision, faint, translucent outlines of hidden beings or objects become visible, shimmering in and out of focus.
    • Description: The visual effect is like watching spectral fog unravel from the lantern, creating an aura of otherworldliness around the user.
    • Positives: Provides immediate clarity in dark or misty environments, dispels magical darkness, and makes ethereal entities visible.
    • Negatives: The eerie light can make the user a target, as it is unmistakable in dark environments. Any enemies in the area will be able to easily locate the source.
  • Sound
    • What’s Perceived: A faint whispering or sighing sound accompanies the lantern’s activation. The sound seems to echo from distant, unseen sources, like wind through an ancient forest or voices of the long-forgotten.
    • Description: The soft murmurs or whispers may unsettle the user, suggesting an unseen connection to the ethereal plane. The sound feels as if it originates from within the mist, creating an auditory presence of those hidden in the spectral fog.
    • Positives: The sounds may provide clues to nearby invisible creatures or objects, helping the user locate them through sound alone.
    • Negatives: The eerie whispers can be unnerving, causing unease or distraction for those unaccustomed to interacting with the ethereal realm.
  • Touch
    • What’s Perceived: When held, the lantern feels cool to the touch, as if drawing the chill from the surrounding air. As the light intensifies, the sensation might grow stronger, like a breeze brushing over exposed skin.
    • Description: The lantern exudes a subtle, tangible presence, as if cold mist from the spectral plane leaks through the material world, chilling the user’s hand.
    • Positives: The cold sensation can serve as a tactile reminder that the lantern is working and can heighten awareness of nearby ethereal shifts.
    • Negatives: The sensation of coldness may become uncomfortable over prolonged use, distracting the user in intense combat or tense situations.
  • Smell
    • What’s Perceived: A faint scent of damp earth and old wood accompanies the lantern’s activation, reminiscent of forgotten ruins or abandoned crypts.
    • Description: The smell evokes the passage of time and ancient, spectral environments, bringing the user into a sensory experience of the past or hidden realms.
    • Positives: The unusual smell can be a signal to the user that the lantern is activated, and it may help identify ethereal areas charged with magic.
    • Negatives: The musty smell could overwhelm or distract those sensitive to odors, particularly in enclosed spaces.
  • Taste
    • What’s Perceived: Though subtle, if the user’s mouth is open near the lantern, they might perceive a faint metallic taste in the air, like old silver or mist touched with magic.
    • Description: The taste is barely perceptible but might leave a lingering sensation of something foreign or otherworldly.
    • Positives: May enhance the overall ethereal experience, subtly reminding the user of the lantern’s magical properties.
    • Negatives: It can be mildly unsettling, a reminder of the unnatural forces at work, potentially causing discomfort.
  • Extra-Sensory Perceptions
    • Ethereal Awareness (Sixth Sense)
      • What’s Perceived: Those attuned to the spiritual or arcane may feel the presence of ethereal beings or objects near the lantern. It’s as if the fabric between the material and ethereal planes thins, creating a heightened awareness of movements in nearby spaces.
      • Description: The user might experience fleeting glimpses or a sense of being watched by unseen forces. This heightened awareness creates a sense of connection to the spectral world.
      • Positives: This sixth sense allows the user to detect invisible creatures or objects more easily, even before they are fully revealed.
      • Negatives: It can feel overwhelming or unsettling, especially if many ethereal presences surround the user, leading to a sensation of being outnumbered or encroached upon.
    • Temporal Distortion
      • What’s Perceived: With the activation of the Mistcaller Lantern, time may seem to briefly warp or distort around the user. Moments could feel stretched, with seconds elongating as the light reveals hidden creatures, or compressed as it highlights rapidly shifting mists.
      • Description: Users may perceive events happening in flashes or slow-motion as if they are momentarily disconnected from the regular flow of time.
      • Positives: This altered perception of time can help the user react more quickly to dangers revealed by the lantern, providing extra time to plan or dodge attacks.
      • Negatives: It may cause disorientation or confusion, particularly if the user is unfamiliar with time distortions, making them feel disjointed or out of sync with their surroundings.
    • Magical Interference
      • What’s Perceived: Arcane spellcasters or those with magical sensitivity might feel a subtle interference or static in their magic when the lantern is in use. Spells might feel more difficult to cast, or magic in the area could seem disrupted.
      • Description: The presence of the lantern creates a slight pressure on nearby magic, particularly spells tied to concealment, illusion, or darkness. Users feel the lantern’s magic pushing against the flow of other arcane energies.
      • Positives: The disruption works both ways, weakening hostile magic, especially that tied to illusions or darkness. Users can exploit this to neutralize enemy tactics.
      • Negatives: However, this interference can also affect friendly magic, making certain spells harder to control or less effective in combat. The user might experience flickering or unstable magic.
    • Emotional Echoes
      • What’s Perceived: The lantern’s light may reveal emotional residues left behind by ethereal creatures, places, or past events. Users might feel sudden waves of fear, sadness, or anger depending on the location and what the lantern is illuminating.
      • Description: These emotional echoes are often fleeting but intense, momentarily enveloping the user in the sensations of the ethereal beings or objects revealed.
      • Positives: Emotional echoes can provide clues to the nature or history of the environment or ethereal entities, helping users navigate danger or empathize with the spirits they encounter.
      • Negatives: The intensity of these emotions can be overwhelming, clouding judgment or focus, especially in areas filled with strong negative energy. If left unchecked, it might affect the user’s mental state over time.

The Mistcaller Lantern’s activation offers both practical and supernatural effects, balancing its powerful benefits with subtle, sometimes unsettling side effects.

Recipe: Crafting the Mistcaller Lantern

  • Materials Needed:
    • Spectral Silver (1 lb)
      • A special silver alloy imbued with ethereal properties, sourced from enchanted mines or spectral realms.
    • Ethereal Mist Essence (1 vial)
      • Mist collected from haunted places or the ethereal plane, harvested using special methods.
    • Crystal Lens of True Sight (1)
      • A flawless crystal that can channel and reveal ethereal energy, sourced from ancient ruins or arcane shops.
    • Binding Thread of the Spirit Weavers (2 ft)
      • Rare, enchanted thread capable of connecting the material and ethereal planes, crafted by spectral artisans.
    • Wraithfire Flame (1 spark)
      • A magical, ever-burning flame from an ethereal wraith or ghost. Used to power the lantern’s light source.
    • Runic Etching Dust (1 pouch)
      • A fine powder made from crushed runestones, used to etch magical symbols onto the lantern frame.
    • Ancient Lantern Frame (1)
      • A finely crafted lantern frame, made from durable metal and enchanted to hold ethereal energy.
  • Tools Required:
    • Arcane Chisel
      • For carving intricate runes and channels into the lantern frame to hold magic.
    • Ethereal Furnace
      • A magical forge capable of heating materials infused with spectral or ethereal properties without losing their essence.
    • Runic Inkwell & Quill
      • For drawing and embedding magical runes into the structure of the lantern.
    • Spirit Net
      • To collect and bottle Ethereal Mist Essence safely.
    • Spectral Tongs
      • For handling the spectral silver without causing disruption to its ethereal alignment.
  • Skill Requirements:
    • Arcana (Expert)
      • To understand the magical properties of the ethereal plane and how to bind them to a physical object.
    • Smithing (Intermediate)
      • To properly forge and shape the Spectral Silver and lantern frame.
    • Enchanting (Expert)
      • To imbue the lantern with light-dispelling and ethereal-revealing properties using the materials.
    • Runesmithing (Intermediate)
      • To etch magical runes that sustain the lantern’s magic and connect the material and ethereal worlds.
    • Gathering (Skilled)
      • To safely collect Ethereal Mist Essence and Wraithfire Flame without damaging them.
  • Crafting Steps:
    • Prepare the Spectral Silver:
      • Melt the Spectral Silver in the Ethereal Furnace, allowing it to reach a temperature that makes it pliable yet still retains its ethereal properties.
      • Use the Spectral Tongs to carefully shape the silver into intricate filigree patterns around the lantern frame. This silver will act as the conductor for the magical energies of the lantern.
    • Install the Crystal Lens:
      • Embed the Crystal Lens of True Sight into the central housing of the lantern frame. It must be aligned precisely to focus ethereal energy.
      • Secure the lens using the Binding Thread of the Spirit Weavers, wrapping it delicately around the lens and frame while reciting arcane words to weave the ethereal plane into the lantern.
    • Carve Runes:
      • Use the Arcane Chisel and Runic Inkwell & Quill to carve and inscribe protective runes along the frame and silver casing. These runes will bind the Wraithfire Flame and channel its energy into dispelling darkness and revealing the ethereal.
      • Dust the runes with the Runic Etching Dust to ensure their magical power is locked in place.
    • Embed the Wraithfire Flame:
      • Carefully collect a spark of Wraithfire Flame using the Spectral Tongs. Place it into the lantern’s core chamber. The flame will act as the light source for the lantern and the primary means of dispelling darkness.
      • Ensure the flame is stable by aligning the runes carved into the lantern with the properties of the flame. This will anchor the flame and prevent it from flickering or burning out.
    • Fill the Lantern with Ethereal Mist Essence:
      • Use the Spirit Net to capture and store Ethereal Mist Essence within the lantern’s core chamber, surrounding the Wraithfire Flame. The mist will allow the lantern to interact with the ethereal plane and reveal hidden entities.
      • Seal the chamber, ensuring no mist escapes while the lantern remains off.
    • Final Enchantments:
      • Recite the necessary incantations while holding the Binding Thread of the Spirit Weavers, reinforcing the bond between the lantern and the ethereal plane. This process finalizes the lantern’s dual abilities of Light Dispelling and Ethereal Reveal.
      • Test the lantern in a controlled environment to ensure it dispels magical darkness and reveals hidden ethereal creatures or objects within a 15-foot radius.
    • Polish and Finish:
      • Polish the exterior of the lantern to a smooth, glowing finish. This step not only enhances its appearance but also helps solidify the magical binding, ensuring the lantern is ready for use.

Once completed, the Mistcaller Lantern is ready for use, providing powerful utility in dark or spectral environments.

Tale of the Lost Light-Bringer of Spectral Paths

Long ago, in days where the sky dark, the ground misty, and stars silent, there walked a man without name, seeking what cannot be seen. In his hand, a flame, but it was not enough, no, for the mists of the world were thicker than any fire could cut. His eyes searched but found only shadows. His ears heard, but only distant cries of the lost souls.

The man journeyed far, far beyond the places known to any, to the edge of the lands forgotten by the gods, where time itself does not stay. In these places, mists gathered thick like the breath of the world itself, hiding all. It was said, no one passes these mists and comes back, but the man went, for he sought what none else dared.

In this place, where light fades and dark grows, he met a shadow neither living nor dead. The shadow spoke in whispers: “What you seek lies in places unseen, behind veils no mortal may lift. Yet, a gift I offer—of light, not of this world.” And so, in the shadow’s hand, a lantern appeared, forged of silver not of earth, its flame a cold wisp of pale blue.

The shadow spoke once more: “The light shall show what lies in the beyond, but it asks a price. In your eyes, you shall see more than others, and you shall walk paths where none should tread. But know, the light shall bind you to the unseen, for the mists shall never leave your side.”

The man took the lantern, and as it shone, the mists parted, revealing paths long hidden, creatures without form, and secrets of the dead. He walked with the lantern, and none could hide from its glow. The shadowy things fled, and the man found what he sought, but what he found was more than the price he paid.

For as he walked, the mists followed. And where he went, shadows gathered. The lantern showed him not just the hidden paths but also the souls bound to them, forever calling, forever reaching. The man became their guide, though he wished not to be. The light revealed all, but never could it be quenched. His flame burned forevermore, a light that would never die, even when the man did.

Now, in the farthest reaches of the world, on nights when the mists grow thick and the winds howl, there are those who claim to see the pale blue light flickering in the fog. They say it is the man, still walking, still bound, still guiding the lost souls through the paths of the unseen.

Moral of the Story: The light which reveals all is also the light that blinds; to see what lies beyond, one must be prepared to walk among the lost.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (7th Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Artifact)
  • Description: A lantern that emits a pale blue light, dispelling magical darkness and revealing ethereal creatures or objects.
  • Effects: When activated, the Mistcaller Lantern dispels unnatural darkness within a 15-foot radius and reveals creatures or objects in the Ethereal Plane or invisible entities within the same area.
  • Mechanics:
    • Sanity Loss: Each time the lantern reveals an ethereal creature, the user must roll a Sanity Check (1D4/1D6 SAN loss depending on the creature’s nature).
    • Power Cost: Activating the lantern requires a POW check (success allows its use for up to 1 hour; failure drains 1 POW permanently).
    • Skill Boost: Grants +10% to Spot Hidden and Occult when active.
    • Drawbacks: Prolonged exposure to the lantern’s light can attract the attention of malevolent entities from the ethereal realm (Keeper’s discretion).

Blades in the Dark

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Arcane Item)
  • Tier: III
  • Uses: The lantern can be used to dispel magical darkness and reveal hidden ethereal beings or invisible objects within a 15-foot radius.
  • Mechanics:
    • Light Dispelling: The lantern dispels all supernatural darkness in its radius. This counts as a standard action and lasts for one score or scene.
    • Ethereal Reveal: Reveals ghosts, demons, and other incorporeal entities. Allows you to Attune to the ghost field with +1d. If used in combat, you gain greater effect when dealing with supernatural enemies.
    • Drawbacks: Using the lantern draws attention from ghosts and spirits, increasing the Heat by 1 every time it is activated. Additionally, prolonged use may require you to roll Resolve to avoid being haunted or affected by ghostly presences.

Dungeons & Dragons (5th Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Wondrous Item, Uncommon, Requires Attunement)
  • Description: This lantern sheds dim light in a 15-foot radius, dispelling magical darkness and revealing ethereal creatures or objects.
  • Properties:
    • Light Dispelling: When the lantern is lit, it dispels any magical darkness in a 15-foot radius.
    • Ethereal Reveal: The lantern reveals invisible creatures or those on the Ethereal Plane within the same 15-foot radius.
    • Activation: The lantern has 3 charges. You can expend 1 charge to activate it for up to 1 hour. It regains 1D3 expended charges daily at dawn.
    • Skill Bonus: While holding the lantern, you have advantage on Perception checks to detect invisible or ethereal creatures.
    • Drawbacks: The eerie light emitted by the lantern makes you more visible in darkness, causing disadvantage on Stealth checks.

Knave

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Magic Item)
  • Description: A mystical lantern that, when activated, sheds pale blue light in a 15-foot radius, dispelling magical darkness and revealing ethereal creatures or objects.
  • Effects:
    • Light Dispelling: Activating the lantern dispels all magical darkness within a 15-foot radius.
    • Ethereal Reveal: The lantern reveals hidden ethereal creatures or objects within the same radius.
    • Charges: The lantern can be used for 3 turns per activation. After this, it must be recharged by an occultist or in an area rich in magical energy.
    • Skill Bonus: Grants a +1 to any Perception checks made to detect invisible or ethereal creatures while in use.
    • Drawbacks: The light it produces is unnatural and attracts unwanted attention, increasing the chance of encounters by 1 in 6.

Fate Core System

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Arcane Item)
  • Aspect: “Lantern of Pale Light and Hidden Truths”
  • Description: The lantern emits a spectral light that dispels magical darkness and reveals ethereal creatures and objects.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Invoke: The lantern can be invoked to create advantages related to revealing hidden or invisible enemies or objects (e.g., “Ethereal Presence Revealed” or “Magical Darkness Dispelled”).
    • Compel: The light can attract unwanted attention from supernatural entities, and the lantern’s eerie glow may unnerve allies or alert enemies to your presence.
    • Use: The lantern can be activated once per scene, allowing the character to make Lore or Notice rolls with a +2 bonus when detecting invisible or ethereal creatures.
    • Drawbacks: Compels may result in supernatural interference, causing a +1 difficulty to any stealth or deception attempts while the lantern is active.

Numenera & Cypher System

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Artifact)
  • Level: 1D6 + 3
  • Effect: When activated, the lantern emits pale light in a 15-foot radius, dispelling magical darkness and revealing ethereal creatures or objects.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Light Dispelling: Dispels any supernatural or magical darkness within its area of effect.
    • Ethereal Reveal: Reveals hidden or invisible creatures in the area and objects on the Ethereal Plane for 1 hour.
    • Depletion: 1 in 1D10 (Each activation has a 10% chance of rendering the lantern inactive until recharged by interacting with a powerful spectral or mystical source).
    • Cost: Requires 3 Intellect points to activate, lasting for up to 1 hour of use.
    • Additional Use: Characters gain an asset on all tasks involving detecting hidden enemies or navigating through misty, darkened, or haunted environments while the lantern is active.

Pathfinder (2nd Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Wondrous Item, Uncommon, Magical)
  • Price: 350 gp
  • Usage: Held, 2 hands
  • Bulk: L
  • Activation: 1 action
  • Properties:
    • Light Dispelling: The lantern emits dim light in a 15-foot radius, which dispels magical darkness.
    • Ethereal Reveal: While lit, the lantern reveals invisible and ethereal creatures or objects in the area of effect.
    • Skill Bonus: While holding the lantern, the wielder gains a +2 item bonus to Perception checks to locate hidden creatures.
    • Duration: The lantern can be used for 1 hour per day. This time can be divided into increments as short as 10 minutes. It recharges daily at dawn.
    • Drawback: When lit, the lantern imposes a –1 penalty on Stealth checks for the bearer due to the eerie light it emits.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Magical Item)
  • Category: Arcane Item
  • Traits:
    • Light Dispelling: The lantern can dispel magical darkness in a Medium Burst Template (around 15 feet radius).
    • Ethereal Reveal: The lantern reveals hidden or ethereal creatures within the same area, allowing the wielder to detect invisible, incorporeal, or concealed entities.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Power Points: The lantern requires 2 Power Points to activate for one scene or encounter. (If using Power Points, the wielder must spend them to activate the item.)
    • Bonus: Provides a +2 bonus on Notice rolls to detect invisible or ethereal enemies when activated.
    • Drawback: While active, the lantern’s light attracts supernatural entities or increases the danger of drawing unwanted attention, adding a +2 to the GM’s random encounter roll.

Shadowrun (6th Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (Magical Item)
  • Category: Focus (Enchantment)
  • Availability: 10F
  • Cost: ¥15,000
  • Description: A magical lantern designed to dispel darkness and reveal astral or hidden entities within its range.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Astral Reveal: When activated, the lantern emits a pale light that reveals astral entities, spirits, and concealed individuals in the physical and astral planes within a 5-meter radius.
    • Light Dispelling: Dispels any magical darkness or illusionary effects within its range.
    • Activation: Requires 1 Simple Action to activate. The effect lasts for 1 hour, requiring a Sustained Test (Willpower + Magic) every 10 minutes to maintain.
    • Skill Bonus: While holding the lantern, the wielder gains +2 dice to Perception (Astral) or Assensing checks.
    • Drawback: The lantern’s magical light is a beacon in both the physical and astral plane, making it easier to detect by spirits or astral beings (–2 dice to Stealth checks when in use).

Starfinder

  • Mistcaller Lantern
  • (Magic Item, Level 5)
  • Price: 3,000 credits
  • Bulk: 1
  • Capacity: 10 (uses standard batteries)
  • Usage: 1 charge per hour
  • Description: This mystical lantern casts a pale, spectral light that dispels magical darkness and reveals ethereal creatures or objects.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Light Dispelling: When activated, the lantern dispels all forms of magical darkness within a 15-foot radius.
    • Ethereal Reveal: Reveals any ethereal or invisible creatures within the same area. These creatures become partially visible, imposing a –2 penalty on their Stealth checks.
    • Activation: Takes a Move Action to turn on. The lantern can run for up to 10 hours per battery.
    • Skill Bonus: Provides a +2 insight bonus to Perception checks while detecting hidden or invisible creatures when the lantern is activated.
    • Drawback: While in use, the lantern’s light imposes a –1 penalty to Stealth checks due to the eerie glow it produces.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Mistcaller Lantern

  • (TL 12, Alien Artifact)
  • Cost: Cr 50,000
  • Mass: 1 kg
  • Description: This ancient, alien device is a lantern that produces a ghostly light, revealing hidden objects and dispelling magical or high-tech cloaking mechanisms.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Cloak Dispelling: The lantern dispels cloaking fields or illusionary technology (TL 12 and below) in a 10-meter radius.
    • Ethereal Detection: Reveals any invisible or ethereal creatures within its range, allowing characters to detect and target them in combat.
    • Skill Bonus: Grants a +1 DM to Recon or Sensors rolls to detect hidden entities while the lantern is activated.
    • Activation: The lantern requires a Standard Action to activate and functions for up to 6 hours on a single power cell.
    • Drawback: The light emitted by the lantern is unmistakable, reducing the chance of Surprise for the wielder’s group (–2 DM to Surprise rolls when active).

Warhammer (4th Edition)

  • Mistcaller Lantern
  • (Magical Item)
  • Encumbrance: 1
  • Rarity: Very Rare
  • Description: An ancient lantern that sheds spectral light, dispelling magical darkness and revealing spirits and ethereal creatures.
  • Game Mechanics:
    • Light Dispelling: The lantern emits a 15-yard radius of dim light that dispels any magical darkness or illusions.
    • Ethereal Reveal: Spirits, wraiths, and ethereal creatures within the lantern’s light are made partially visible, allowing them to be targeted with attacks.
    • Skill Bonus: Grants a +10% bonus to Perception tests to spot hidden or ethereal creatures while the lantern is active.
    • Power: Requires a Channeling Test to activate and sustain the lantern’s power. The lantern stays active for 1 hour per successful test.
    • Drawback: Each hour of use causes 1 Corruption Point for the wielder, as the lantern’s light attracts malevolent spirits and exposes the user to the dangers of the ethereal plane.