Spatterlight

Spatterlight is a fictional magical lantern commonly featured in fantasy settings. It is prized for its distinctive glass globe, freckled with tiny iridescent droplets that scatter light into a glittering field. The resulting illumination is described as warm and steady, bright enough to read by yet soft enough to preserve shadows that may conceal more than they reveal.

Appearance and design: The lantern is typically built with a brass or iron frame and a globe etched with countless motes or colored specks. In many depictions the droplets seem to tremble or shimmer as the bearer moves, lending the light a subtly living quality.

Powers and effects: The standard function of the Spatterlight is to provide ordinary illumination in a 20-foot radius, with dim light beyond. In various settings, the lantern carries additional investigative powers: it may reveal hidden doors, invisible ink, or magical auras; it can dispel simple illusions or grant a brief glimpse of truth. In some versions, these effects operate for a minute per hour of exposure to moonlight or require charging from celestial light.

Origin and use: Spatterlights are often associated with explorers, archivists, and spellcasters who seek clarity and truth. In different campaigns, the lantern may be linked to a specific order or lineage, with details varying by setting.

Variants: Some campaigns feature stronger variants with brighter illumination, longer duration, or enhanced detection capabilities, sometimes tied to recharge mechanics related to dawn or lunar cycles. See also Lantern, Light spell, magical artifact.