Everglow Lanterns

From: Arcane Forges of Lumengarde

Lore: Legend has it that the Everglow Lanterns were first created by the enigmatic wizard-artificer, Merilin the Illuminatus. Seeking to bring light and warmth to the homes of the people during the long, dark nights, Merilin ventured deep into the heart of the Enchanted Forest in search of a legendary crystal called the Everglow Crystal. It is said that the crystal was born from the essence of a fallen star, imbued with everlasting magic that could produce a gentle, perpetual glow.

After years of research and countless trials, Merilin succeeded in crafting the first Everglow Lantern. Word of this wondrous invention spread quickly, and soon, the Everglow Lanterns became a symbol of comfort, hope, and safety in every household across the land of Saṃsāra.

Specific Tier One Stats:

• Light Radius: 20 feet (bright light), 20 feet (dim light)
• Duration: Permanent (as long as the Everglow Crystal remains intact)
• Weight: 2 lbs
• Size: 8 inches (height) x 4 inches (diameter)
• Cost: 50 gold pieces (GP)

Skills and Requirements: Proficiency with artisan’s tools (Artificer’s Tools) is required to craft Everglow Lanterns. Characters proficient in Arcana or History may have an advantage in understanding the magical principles behind the Everglow Lantern’s creation and potential enhancements.

Tags:

• Light Source: Provides bright and warm light in a 20-foot radius, and an additional 20 feet of dim light beyond that.
• Decorative: Everglow Lanterns are not just practical but also aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the ambiance of any environment.
• Enchanted: Fueled by the Everglow Crystal, these lanterns exhibit an everlasting magical glow, requiring no additional fuel or maintenance.
• Versatile: They can be hung, carried, or placed on various surfaces, adapting to the user’s needs and preferences.
• Additional: Lunar-Infused Glow, Hearthborne Warmth, Runic Embellishment, Starbound Origin, Whispering Luminescence, Eternal Spark Heritage, Ember-Touched Design, Veil-Piercing Radiance

Sale and Distribution: Everglow Lanterns are commonly sold in various marketplaces, both in large cities and quaint towns across Saṃsāra. Artificer guilds, magic shops, and even traveling merchants deal in these enchanting creations. The value of the lanterns comes not just from their magical properties but also from the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into their design. Craftsmen and artificers take pride in creating unique lanterns, each with its own distinct patterns and details.

Usage and Impact: Everglow Lanterns have a profound impact on the everyday lives of the people of Saṃsāra. In homes, they provide a sense of comfort and security, casting a soft, warm glow that dispels darkness and shadows. Their enchanting light can calm troubled minds and invite peace into weary souls. During festivals and celebrations, the lanterns are often decorated with intricate patterns and colors, transforming cities and towns into dazzling displays of light and beauty.

Beyond household use, Everglow Lanterns are essential for adventurers and explorers, providing a reliable and everlasting light source during quests and journeys into dark, dangerous places. Carrying an Everglow Lantern can also be a symbol of hope and protection during perilous adventures, reassuring travelers and warding off malevolent creatures drawn to the darkness.

Everglow Lanterns have become an integral part of Saṃsāra’s culture, cherished by its inhabitants and revered for their magical properties. They embody the balance between the mystical heritage of the past and the innovative spirit of the Industrial Age.

Everglow Lanterns often feature elegantly curved metalwork forming a protective cage around the crystal chamber. The lantern’s frame is commonly forged from polished brass or a lustrous alloy, finished with a warm sheen that catches even the faintest light. Glass panels, sometimes tinted in soft blues or golden hues, encircle the central housing. Ornamental filigree often decorates the corners and edges of these panels, with swirling motifs reminiscent of celestial or floral patterns.

At the heart of the lantern rests the Everglow Crystal, which emits a gentle, continuous radiance. Its surface, faintly faceted, appears as though captured starlight pulses within each angle. When carried, the lantern’s glow dances across the metal framework, casting playful shapes on nearby walls and ceilings. A simple, curved handle arches over the top, designed so it can hang from hooks, be suspended on a wall bracket, or be held comfortably. Thin vents along the top release any warmth generated, though the overall heat remains minimal, allowing hands to draw close without discomfort.

In daylight, the lantern’s metal catches natural sunlight, giving off a subtle gleam. At dusk or in darker areas, the internal glow grows more pronounced, revealing small, graceful etchings on the inside of the panels—arcane sigils or artful lines that were hidden at first glance. Many Everglow Lanterns are personalized, bearing tiny inscriptions, embossed designs, or glass inlays that reflect the tastes of their creators or owners. When viewed in a darkened space, the glow seems especially tranquil, illuminating the space in a gentle radius that can bring to mind images of safe hearths and distant stars alike.

Perception of Activation: When the lantern is brought to life, the air around it seems to grow subtly brighter and gentler.

• User’s Perspective:
  • Sight: A soft, graceful glow expands in all directions, as though a miniature sunrise has just occurred within the lantern’s heart. Small sparks of light sometimes dance within the crystal’s facets.
  • Hearing: A quiet chime echoes at the edge of awareness, as if distant wind chimes or a single, drawn-out bell tone.
  • Touch: A mild warmth emanates from the lantern’s frame, lingering on the fingertips without ever becoming uncomfortable.
  • Smell: A barely noticeable scent of fresh morning air or a faint metallic tang mixed with a sweet, calming note.
  • Taste: A subtle sense of clean dryness at the back of the tongue, akin to walking into a room after a gentle breeze has carried away stale air.
  • Extra-Sensory: A comforting presence forms around the user’s mind, hinting at a quiet reassurance that the darkness beyond is kept at bay.
• Observer’s Perspective:
  • Sight: The lantern’s core radiates a stable glow that envelopes the immediate area in gentle illumination, its shadows slowly retracting as if retreating from the lantern’s domain.
  • Hearing: Slightly muffled, melodic pulses occasionally drift outward—almost too soft to register, like a lullaby carried on still air.
  • Touch (Indirect): Observers standing nearby experience a soothing sensation, as if bathed in warmth despite no significant change in temperature.
  • Extra-Sensory: Sensitive individuals sense a calm aura emanating from the lantern, creating a subtle mental buffer against lurking fears or anxieties.
• Positives:
  • Provides immediate, comforting illumination that can settle restless thoughts or ease tension.
  • Helps define safe boundaries in dark or uncertain environments.
  • Light and warmth do not fade with time, offering consistent security.
• Negatives:
  • Prolonged exposure may lull a user into a false sense of safety, leading to overlooked perils.
  • Creatures or entities drawn to magical energy might be attracted if they sense the lantern’s faint arcane resonance.
  • Sudden dimming or malfunction may startle those relying heavily on its light, causing momentary disorientation.

Recipe: Everglow Lantern Forging

• Materials Needed:
  • Metal Ingots (enough to form the lantern’s frame; brass, copper, or a polished alloy works best)
  • Glass Panels or Sheets (cut to the desired size for the lantern’s windows)
  • Everglow Crystal (a single crystal with stable luminosity)
  • Binding Agents (molten flux or specialized arcane bonding solutions)
  • Decorative Filigree Strips (optional, for those who wish to add ornamental flourishes)
• Tools Required:
  • Metalworking Forge or Kiln
  • Artisan’s Metalworking Set (tongs, hammers, shaping molds, files)
  • Glass Blowing or Cutting Tools (if shaping the glass personally)
  • Arcane or Alchemical Apparatus (for infusing the crystal with sustaining enchantment)
  • Engraving Instruments (chisels, gravers, fine etching tools)
• Skill Requirements:
  • Metalworking Proficiency for crafting and shaping the lantern frame
  • Basic Glasscrafting Knowledge (or a partner skilled in glasscutting, if relying on pre-made panes)
  • Arcane or Enchanting Familiarity for binding the Everglow Crystal and harmonizing its light with the lantern’s structure
• Crafting Steps:
  • Frame Creation: Begin by heating the metal ingots in a suitable forge. Shape or cast the metal into a cylindrical or box-like framework using molds and metalworking tools. Ensure that this frame accommodates space for both the glass panels and the central crystal housing. After cooling, file away any rough edges.
  • Metal Detailing: Once the basic structure is set, refine it. Use files and hammers to create smooth edges, or to introduce gentle curves and ornate designs along the edges and corners. Leave small brackets or inward-facing prongs at the center where the Everglow Crystal will rest.
  • Glass Preparation: If cutting glass personally, measure each open side of the frame to determine precise dimensions for the panes. Carefully shape or cut the glass to fit snugly. For those with glassblowing skill, create four uniform panels (or more if the design calls for it), ensuring clarity for maximum light transmission. If tinted glass is desired, add pigments or dyes during the glass creation process.
  • Enchanted Housing: Create a dedicated compartment or cradle within the lantern’s top or center to hold the Everglow Crystal. This area can be reinforced with a thin metal band or a minimal cage-like structure, preventing the crystal from shifting. Be sure to leave enough room around the crystal so its glow disperses evenly.
  • Infusion and Binding:
    • Prepare a small vat or heat-resistant basin for the binding agent. Heat this mixture gently, then carefully apply it to the edges where the metal frame meets the glass, sealing each panel. Use arcane or alchemical apparatus to ensure the binding agent resonates with the crystal’s inherent illumination.
    • When the binding agent is still warm, position the Everglow Crystal in its designated housing. Recite or concentrate on the enchanting technique (depending on personal practice), focusing on linking the crystal’s glow with the lantern’s metallic and glass structure.
  • Fine Engravings: With engraving instruments, etch faint runes or decorative lines along the edges of the frame and near the crystal’s cradle. These etchings help guide the glow and can serve an aesthetic function. If the lantern is intended for personal flair, add symbolic motifs or family crests.
  • Setting and Cooling: Allow the newly bound parts to rest and cool thoroughly. Avoid jostling the lantern during this time to ensure the crystal remains firmly seated and the glass panels settle securely. Excessive movement could misalign the crystal or weaken the seals.
  • Inspection and Adjustment: Inspect each joint for stability. Confirm that the glass panels fit flush and that the crystal glows without flickering. Shake the lantern gently to test structural soundness. If any section is loose or if the glow wavers, reapply the binding solution or carefully re-center the crystal.
  • Optional Ornamentation: If adding decorative filigree or metal overlays, gently solder or attach them now. Use engraving instruments or small chisels to refine any final touches. Polishing the metal parts can enhance its reflective qualities, making the lantern appear brighter.
  • Final Check and Activation: Conduct a brief activation test. Darken the surrounding area and observe whether the Everglow Lantern provides steady, consistent illumination in the intended radius. If satisfied, wipe away any remaining residue from crafting and present the newly forged lantern for use or display.

A completed Everglow Lantern serves as a continuous source of comforting light. The crystal’s steady luminosity should require no ongoing fuel or extensive upkeep, making this creation ideal for both everyday utility and decorative purposes.

Tale of the Hearth-Born Star Lamp

Longbefore times remembered by tongues of men, scribes wrote of a luminescent bowl, the vessel of eternal brilliance said created by the famed enchanter Merilin the Illuminatus. Its legend, carried on tattered hides and stone-carvings, speaks that Merilin walked beneath the forest of endless night, seeking radiance not from candle nor flint, but from a fallen star rumored to rest in the solemn ground. The old scripts declare that upon finding the dimly pulsing stone, Merilin danced in circles of perplexing shapes, chanting melodic nonsense to woo the heavenly fragment from its slumber.

Many accounts remain contradictory. Some say he discovered a pond of stardust swirling in still waters, from which he harvested the “Everglow Crystal” with bare hands. Others speak of fierce gusts howling in protest, as though ancient spirits guarded the realm from mortal tampering. Regardless, all half-broken parchments concur that a bright orb, once silent, awoke to guide Merilin through gloom-ridden terrains and deliver him safely beyond unknown boundaries.

In the battered lines of a crumbling tome, it is noted that Merilin forged a curious metal shell around the crystal, forging a lantern that shimmered with benign rays. Whispering townspeople spread word that at the slight tilt of this artifact, golden beams would chase away shadows dancing on midnight walls. Children’s lullabies wove the tale of how no storm nor wind could extinguish the glow, for it was anchored in some cosmic lineage spanning eons of sky-born wonders.

As the story repeated through generations, translations from lost languages scrambled the details further. Some scribes replaced the image of a gentle glow with fiery sparks; others insisted the creation involved chanting hymns of unknown tongues that echoed so fiercely they roused bears from winter slumber. Rambling references to star-songs and forest thunder entangled the story in riddles, leaving listeners half-certain whether Merilin was a cunning hero or a foolish dreamer.

Yet, from these uncertain pieces, one melody remains: that a single lantern, known by many ephemeral names, did indeed bring soft brightness to realms once haunted by abiding darkness. Worn letters proclaim that entire villages hosted celebrations, praising the artifact’s radiance that stoked hope in long winter nights. Such gratitude, twined with awe, crowned the wondrous lamp as a cherished gift of cosmic benevolence. Over countless seasons, it passed hands from wise guardians to humble caretakers, each echoing half-remembered chants when the dusk threatened to swallow the land.

So today, though memory frays like an aged tapestry, the name “Everglow Lantern” endures, whispering to all who gather near its mild flame of star-born wonders and mortal craftsmanship entwined. Its gentle luster remains testament to perseverance in creation and the strange synergy bridging mortal realms with celestial remnants. Countless tongues in hidden corners still utter reverence for that luminous miracle Merilin once coaxed from the starlit shadows.

Moral of the Story: Even a fragment of light forged with care can stand firm against the vastest darkness.

Suggested conversions to other systems:

Call of Cthulhu (Seventh Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Occult Artifact
• Rarity: Uncommon among investigators, rare in mundane circles
• Game Mechanics:
  • Permanent Light Source: The lantern emits a soft, steady glow equivalent to a small electric light in dark areas. It never requires conventional fuel.
  • Mythos Connection: Anyone handling or studying the lantern must succeed on an Occult roll (Hard difficulty if they lack prior exposure to arcane objects) to recognize its supernatural origins.
  • Sanity Implications: Prolonged observation or realization of the lantern’s unearthly power may prompt a 0/1 Sanity loss.
  • Activation & Use:
    • When lifted or intentionally switched on, the Everglow Lantern casts light in a roughly 6-yard radius.
    • Optional Expanded Glow: If a character channels their will (Power ×5 roll) to intensify the lantern’s illumination, it brightens to a 10-yard radius for 1D4 rounds. A failed roll may cause a subtle flicker, momentarily unsettling the user or revealing shapes within the gloom (Keeper’s discretion).

Blades in the Dark

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Special Item (Arcane/Alchemical)
• Tier: 1 or 2 (depending on crew resources and setting tone)
• Game Mechanics:
  • Load: 1 (small enough to carry)
  • Permanent Light: The lantern continuously emits light in a controlled radius of about 10 paces, unaffected by mundane extinguishing methods.
  • Usage:
    • During a Score or Free Play, carrying the lantern negates limited or no-light penalties within its glow, allowing the user to operate without fumbling in darkness.
    • If a character attempts to increase its brightness to blind foes or reveal hidden compartments, make an Attune action roll. On success, the lantern’s glow intensifies momentarily.
    • Consequences of partial or failed rolls might attract unwanted attention from spirits or tip off nearby enemies.
  • Special Note: This arcane object might spark interest among occult factions, making it a potential bargaining chip or cause for conflict.

Dungeons & Dragons (Fifth Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Wondrous Item, Uncommon
• Game Mechanics and Syntax:
  • Light: While the lantern is uncovered, it sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet.
  • Everlasting Glow: It requires no oil or other fuel and remains lit indefinitely. Closing or covering the lantern’s shutter will block the glow.
  • Minor Cantrip Effect (Optional): Once per day, a creature holding the lantern can cast the Light cantrip through it without using material components.
  • No Attunement: The lantern functions for anyone; no special attunement required.
  • Optional Boon: A character proficient in Arcana may make a DC 13 check to cause the lantern’s light to reveal faint magical auras in a 5-foot radius for 1 minute. On failure, the glow flickers with no additional effect.

Knave

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Magical Equipment
• Game Mechanics:
  • Slot Use: Occupies one item slot.
  • Permanent Illumination: Sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius, dim light for another 20 feet, with no need for fuel.
  • Reliability: The lantern’s soft radiance is ever-present once activated. If set down or packed away, it can be covered to dim or hide its glow.
  • Optional Check: A referee may require a relevant ability check (roll under Intelligence or Wisdom) to coax the lantern into a brighter burst for a limited time, allowing a brief advantage on seeing hidden details or repelling light-averse creatures. Failure might cause minor mishaps—flickering or momentary darkness—until a rest period or further tinkering.

Fate (Fate Core or Fate Condensed)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Arcane/Technomagical Device (Extra)
• Aspects:
  • “Star-Kissed Radiance”
  • “Beacon of Unending Light”
  • “Guiding Glow in the Gloom”
• Permission: Characters should have an aspect or background tied to magical or eldritch knowledge to justify its use.
• Costs: Typically purchased as a stunt (1 Refresh) or granted via narrative.
• Stunt/Extra Mechanics:
  • Constant Light: The lantern provides a passive advantage in darkness-related situations. Once per session, you can automatically succeed on a overcome action related to navigating or noticing details in dimly lit areas.
  • Focused Beam: By directing the lantern’s glow, roll an appropriate skill (often Lore or Crafts) to create a temporary aspect like “Blinded by Sudden Brilliance” on a target or “Eliminated Shadows” on the environment. Success grants one free invoke.
  • Drawback: Overuse or attempting intense illumination in stressful circumstances may force a minor cost (Fate point expenditure) or induce a complication (flicker or dimming).

Numenera & Cypher System

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Level: 3 (or higher if the GM wants a more potent artifact)
• Form: An ornate lantern containing a stable light crystal
• Game Mechanics:
  • Constant Glow: The lantern continuously illuminates a 30-foot radius. It never requires fuel.
  • Minor Power: Once per day, the user may channel effort (1 level of Effort) to intensify the lantern’s glow for one minute, imposing a difficulty increase of 1 on stealth tasks within its area and providing advantage for perception-based tasks.
  • Depletion: 1 in 1d20. On a result of 1, the lantern’s magic briefly extinguishes and remains inactive for one hour.
• Additional Guidelines:
  • Characters trained in Occultic or numenera lore might gain an asset when attempting to repair or modify the lantern’s crystal.
  • If the level is increased, the lantern’s special effect (stealth disruption or clarity bonus) might scale appropriately.

Pathfinder (Second Edition)

• Name: Everglow Lantern
• Item Level: 3
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Price: 45 gp
• Bulk: L
• Usage: Held in one hand
• Traits: Consumable Focus (optional), Evocation, Light
• Activation [one-action] Interact:
  • The lantern casts bright light in a 20-foot radius, dim light for another 20 feet, indefinitely. No fuel required.
  • If a creature with at least trained proficiency in Occultism or Arcana spends an action focusing on the lantern’s crystal, they can cause it to flare for a single round, temporarily doubling its bright light radius to 40 feet. Foes within that area become dazzled (DC 16 Fortitude save) until the start of your next turn on a failed save.
  • The lantern can be shuttered or covered as normal to conceal its glow.
• Optional Limitation:
  • Overuse: If you attempt the flare more than once per hour, make a DC 17 flat check. On failure, the lantern dims to dim light only for 1 minute.

Savage Worlds (Adventure Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Rank: Novice
• Arcane Background Requirement: None (though magical training may enhance its use)
• Game Mechanics:
  • Permanent Illumination: Bright light in a Medium Burst Template around the lantern, never requiring fuel or power points.
  • Flare (1 Power Point Optional): If the user has an Arcane Background, they may spend 1 Power Point to cause the lantern’s light to flare. Make a Spellcasting roll:
    • On a success, targets in the illuminated area must make a Vigor roll or be Shaken.
    • A raise also inflicts –2 penalty on the targets’ next action due to sudden blinding light.
  • No Arcane Background: The lantern still functions as an everlasting light source but cannot perform the flare effect.
  • Complication: When the flare is attempted and fails (critical failure on Spellcasting), the lantern’s glow flickers out for 1d4 rounds before returning to normal.

Shadowrun (Sixth World Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Awakened Gear / Magical Light Source
• Availability: 6R
• Cost: 3,000¥ (subject to GM’s setting and rarity decisions)
• Game Mechanics:
  • Permanent Illumination: The lantern emits a soft glow roughly equivalent to standard flashlight intensity without any battery or fuel. Its light covers an area of about 15 meters.
  • Magical Signature: Assensing reveals faint astral traces of enchantment. Individuals with Astral Perception may detect the lantern’s low-level aura.
  • Additional Effect: Once per day, the user can make a Magic + Willpower (3) Test to cause a short flare, briefly illuminating an area up to 25 meters. For one Combat Turn, this intense brightness imposes a –2 dice pool penalty on Perception Tests relying on vision for anyone unprepared. If the Test fails, the lantern merely flickers with no enhanced effect.
  • Drawback: Because it is an awakened item, background counts or mana ebbs may cause it to dim or flicker unpredictably (GM’s discretion).

Starfinder

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Item Level: 3
• Price: 1,400 credits
• Bulk: L
• Descriptors: Hybrid, Magical
• Game Mechanics:
  • Constant Light: The lantern projects bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet, with no need for charges or fuel.
  • No Charge Required: Its arcane core draws from ambient mystical energy, allowing indefinite operation.
  • Flare Function (1/day): As a move action, the wielder can amplify the light to Blind or Dazzle nearby foes. Targets within the bright light radius must succeed at a DC 13 Fortitude save or be dazzled for 1 round. If they fail by 5 or more, they are blinded for 1 round.
  • Maintenance: A user with ranks in Mysticism or Engineering can tune the lantern’s focusing crystal, adjusting brightness or color, though the fundamental light radius remains unchanged.

Traveller (Mongoose 2nd Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Type: Exotic Illumination Device
• Tech Level: Not strictly classifiable (magical or anomalous origin)
• Cost: 5,000 Credits (highly variable based on local superstitions or collector interest)
• Game Mechanics:
  • Permanent Glow: Emits light equivalent to a standard handheld lantern but never requires fuel. The illumination range is about 10 meters in all directions.
  • Artifact Roll: Characters investigating the lantern may make an Average (8+) Science (xenology) or Language (arcane texts) check to uncover partial understanding of its supernatural traits.
  • Unusual Phenomenon: In areas of high electromagnetic interference or in exotic atmospheres, the lantern maintains its glow. Locals might regard it as a magical relic rather than technology.
  • Potential Risks: Rumors claim the lantern occasionally dims or flickers without reason. A GM can decide if it reacts to certain anomalies, astral phenomena, or cosmic events.

Warhammer (Fantasy Roleplay Fourth Edition)

Name: Everglow Lantern

• Item Type: Arcane Artefact
• Encumbrance: 0 (treated as light enough to carry freely)
• Rarity: Rare
• Game Mechanics:
  • Permanent Light: Continually emits a candle-like glow that illuminates a radius of 10 yards. No fuel required.
  • Arcane Aura: Characters with Second Sight sense a stable but definite magical presence.
  • Flare Action: Once per day, a character with any Magical Sense talent can coax a bright surge, doubling the radius of illumination for one minute. During this surge, creatures lurking in darkness suffer a –1 penalty to Melee and Ranged attacks if they rely on concealment.
  • Miscast Risk: Failing the Extended Language (Magick) Test to activate the flare by –6 SL or more may trigger a Minor Miscast, causing the lantern to flicker or momentarily dim, and the user could gain 1 Corruption Point.