Skull Lantern

The Skull Lanterns



The skull lanterns are powerful artifacts made by the legendary villain Balpheron. The infamous lich mage created these items to hold the soul of powerful heroes and adventurers he fought and won against. Balpheron had a sickening habit to capture the soul of the departed who sought to kill the hated undead, and failed to defeat the terrifying mage, but left a great influence on him (if the lich measured or judged them for a worthy opponent). For the memory of these epic fights (and of course for the reason to recapture the fealing of the glorious victory) he imprisoned these unfortunate souls into these skulls made with ancient and secret methods. The negative energy that surrounds these horrific items created by forbidden magic, enforce the cursed (those who are imprisoned inside them) to obey simple orders made by they creator, who also count himself as they master. The lanterns has they own will naturally (by the nature of the soul who dispose a unique personality) and this makes these artifacts capable of handling complex tasks as well. Since these souls used to belong to powerful adventurers or well known heroes, it is a difficult task to „tame” or force them obey they „new master”. This opposition and understandable rebellion (from the side of the imprisoned ones) used to give great enjoyement to Balpheron who have obviously had a rotten and twisted soul inside him. Typical method he used to enforce he’s prisoners follow he’s orders, is to channel negative or positive energy through the skull’s gems that makes the misfortunates experiencing unbearable pain. With time even the most stubborn lanterns became obedient to him. Balpheron used them for different tasks. Most common jobs he ordered them to do was:

1. Spying

2. Protecting secret labs or researcher facilitys

3. Protecting valuable magical items

After the evil mage finally destroyed once and for all, and it’s mummified hand became my possession, i discovered these malformed creations after they became partially free with the death of they former master. It is a very saddening realization but even with my deep knowledge and understanding in the magical studies, and also with the guide of the great Mystra i am uncapable to release these souls from they current magical prison. The forbidden ways of power it’s still an undiscovered region even to myself, and i am not willing to endanger the world around me or anger my beloved Mystra to experiment with these kind of forces as the damned Balpheron did (may the seventh hell keep he’s soul forever). After the Lanterns heard my disappointing news to them some of them chosed to go into deep slumber, since that was the end of my capabilities that could ease they suffering, waiting the end of times when finally they can became free with the end of the world. But some of them chosed to ignore the fact they cannot be helped, and taking they fate in they own hands started to discover the world seeking ancient and forgotten knowledge in the hope to find freedom. In the strong belief of finding the way to brake they curse and ethernal prison, they joined adventurares who they measured worthy enough to help them out with they quest after salvation. Some of them are good spirited with strong morals helping out others who are in needs, but others driven by rage, envy, and hatred toward living beings, (and because currently they are in a hopeless situation) doesn’t refrain them to hurt others or even kill people if it leads to they so sought liberation. Dear Mystra! Be merciful on these poor souls who are in a great need of salvation…



Note: From the book of „Rare, dangerous, and forgotten artifacts found in Faerûn” wrote by the famous mage and cleric of Mystra: Drogan Droganson