Witches' Lantern
The Witches' Lantern is a magical object, often in the form of a small, handheld lamp or even a pendant that can be worn around the neck. Crafted primarily using leaves from the Burning Shrub (Fulgurfrutex luminis), these lanterns emit a soft, red, glowing light visible only to those who have been attuned to its magic. To the uninitiated, the lantern appears unlit, making it a perfect tool for witches who need to navigate through darkness without revealing their presence.
Construction
The construction of a Witches' Lantern involves several steps:
- Harvesting: Leaves from the Burning Bush are carefully harvested during specific lunar phases to maximize their magical potency.
- Preparation: The leaves are then dried and ground into a fine powder, which serves as the primary ingredient for the lantern's light source.
- Enchantment: The powder is mixed with other magical reagents and sealed in a transparent or translucent container - often made of crystal, glass, or a similar material that can be magically treated to be durable yet lightweight.
- Activation: A spell is cast over the completed lantern, imbuing it with the magic necessary to produce its unique light and make it visible only to specific individuals.
Usage
The Witches' Lantern is activated by a simple incantation, often unique to the witch or coven that created it. Once activated, it emits a soft glow that illuminates the surrounding area for the user but remains invisible to others. This makes it invaluable for tasks that require stealth, like gathering rare herbs at night or moving covertly.
In the hands of nightwitches, these lanterns serve a dual purpose. They not only illuminate the dark but also act as a magical compass, resonating differently when pointed in the direction of specific magical phenomena or substances.
Precautions
Crafting a Witches' Lantern requires a high level of skill in both herbalism and spellcraft. Because the Burning Bush leaves can be unstable when mixed with certain magical reagents, only experienced witches are advised to undertake the construction of these lanterns. Furthermore, the spells used to activate the lantern are designed to prevent its misuse; if the lantern falls into the wrong hands, it will not function unless dispelled and re-enchanted.
Ownership and Regulations
Due to the sensitive nature of the materials used and the potential for misuse, the crafting and possession of Witches' Lanterns are typically restricted to members of established magical communities, and unauthorized use may be subject to magical or even legal penalties.
Trivia
- Since Witches' Lanterns were often seen in the possession of witches, they were believed to be of significant importance to them. Theories include the Lantern being what gives a witch her powers, or it containing a piece of her soul. Others believe witches use them to store souls they harvested from people, which are then used as a currency to bargain with the Devil.
- In modern times, Witches' Lanterns are more a novelty than anything else, due to the existance of nightvision potions.