Crafted by the ingenious artificer Matthius Highstool, the Automaton Lantern is a blend of mechanical ingenuity and magical enhancements. Originally designed to provide light in places where hands were needed for other tasks, variants of these small construct lanterns have become prized possessions among adventurers and artisans.
The Automaton Lantern appears as a traditional lantern, but upon closer inspection, its intricacies become evident. Cogs, gears, and miniature pistons are visible beneath its metal casing, and its glass panels reveal a softly glowing magical light within.
Weight: 4 lbs
Properties: This lantern functions as a regular lantern, shedding light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet. However, what sets it apart is its magical animation. The lantern is equipped with tiny cog work legs that allow it to walk on its own. Its movements are slow and deliberate, and it can traverse various terrains, including rough surfaces and stairs, with surprising agility.
Benefits:
- Hands-Free Illumination: The Automaton Lantern's mechanical legs enable it to move on its own, leaving the user's hands free for other tasks such as combat or crafting.
- Animated Beacon: When set down, the lantern can move to follow its owner within a range of 20 feet. This can be particularly useful when exploring dark or dangerous areas.
- Dimmable Light: The magical light emitted by the lantern can be dimmed or brightened by turning a small dial on its side, allowing for versatile illumination.
- Self-Extinguish: As a safety feature, the lantern is programmed to extinguish its light when it is picked up or when it senses that it is no longer needed. This conserves its magical energy.
Drawbacks:
- Limited Speed: The Automaton Lantern's movement is slow, walking speed of 10 ft, making it unsuitable for quick escapes or pursuits.
- Magical Maintenance: The lantern requires occasional magical maintenance to ensure its legs function smoothly and its light remains steady.