Alfen Lanterns

Even the shadows are symmetrical...

Alfen lanterns are a unique catalyst that saw common use during the height of the Alfen Ancestors, and later due to the lanterns being found during excavations of Alfen ruins. Elven lanterns are designed to consistently flow specific Arcane Energy from within the lanterns casing. The energy spills out in the form of light, rapidly evaporating liquid, and arcane vapor before even hitting the ground.

These lanterns grant the user many different abilities based on the energy that flows from it. They offer a plentiful resource pool for Arcanists to use when casting their spells. The ancient elves were known for their liberal use of The Arcane and many often wondered why it was they could consistently cast spells without experiencing any form of fatigue. When the lanterns were discovered, so too was the answer.

The lantern that can be used as a focus point for casting spells but can only utilize a select few arcane manifestations that are heavily dependent on the lantern shape and size as well as the energy that is designed to flow from it. Different energies are used for different Arcane genres and certain shapes are not efficient when using certain manifestations.

The YesereseY Lantern

Currently is the possession of the first enchanter at The Rouxsgate Mage Tower, the lantern is the top half of a sphere made of metal with a handle on top. The metal is lined with beautiful fractals, perfectly shaped to suit the lanters form. . When activated the spheare is completed as the radiant elemental energy forms the lower half, dripping and radiating the energy of life in all directions.

This lantern is ideal for casting spells over a specified area but it lacks heavily when a more precise spell must be cast. Any spell that calls for an area of effect smaller than a five meter radius is prone to missing its mark. The first enchanter has used the lantern in battle during the war between Estoya and The Provinces of Mhirriah. He was known for charging into battle, hoisting the lantern high to blind enemies and healing the wounds of those around him almost as soon as the wounds were inflicted. This allowed them to storm defenses with alarming efficiency, as arrows seemed to just fall off the soldiers when they made their advance.

A tool, not a weapon.

The demand for elven lanterns rises and falls with no true pattern. Any who seek it out usually only do so for the purposes of collecting such a rare artifact. Very few people who seek them out intend on using them and certainly not for war. The ancestors of the elves created each lantern with a very specific purpose that is beyond the understanding of most in the present day.

They were thought to be used for religious purposes or just general rituals but this has next to no evidence supporting it. Uses in combat are almost exclusively support focused. There are no lanterns that find themselves useful in one-on-one confrontations for several reasons.

First and foremost is the fact that each has an effect on the ones who wield them. Properly attuned, a lantern might communicate to the one who attunes to it. The language is impossible to understand but it has certain negative effects on the mind. Whatever is being said, the very soul of the wielder does not like it and it is possible for the connection that Attunement brings to be severed because of it. Another reason why it is inefficient for combat is the limitations. At best, someone wielding a lantern could use it for artillery spells if they could find a lantern that emits an appropriate form of arcane energy. Such a lantern has yet to be found.

The ancestors and the lanterns

All these limitations and problematic elements are completely ignored if the lantern is in the hands of an Alfen Ancestor. During The Awakening of RoylyoR, the ancestors nearly wiped out the forces of The Freeholds using these lanterns as weaponry. Spells they were able to cast were baffling to the mages who witnessed them, somehow breaking the rules mages are forced to follow by the laws of reality itself.