Overview

A dark stone tower rising from the bluffs above the churning black waters of Iskavell, reached by a stone bridge that hums with residual Rift energy — and guarded by creatures of pure light that drain the warmth from the living.

DETAILS

Region: Iskavell coast, East of Oakhaven; sits on rocky bluffs above the sea

Type: Landmark / Structure

Status: Dangerous — light extinguished; Rift Spectres active on bridge and around base; interior uninvestigated

Atmosphere: Metallic, ozone-tinged air over the bridge; the stone surface hums with a low rhythmic vibration. The dark lantern room is visible from below, with large coiling shadows shifting behind soot-stained glass. The churning black waters beneath the bridge move with unnatural speed. A sickly translucent purple haze shimmers above the crossing. The lighthouse itself is dark — utterly silent where it should be lit.

Secret

Secret

Hidden Truth: The lighthouse was secretly retooled to use a high-potency Rift Shard as a fuel source — a substance strictly banned by Oakhaven's settlement leadership. The oil feeds were professionally capped and a custom containment bracket installed. The Rift Shard burned too hot, acted as a lure for a Rift-feeding entity (the Haze-Hulk per planning notes), and caused the light to fail just as the party's ship approached. The modifications were made with a specialised brass-turning wrench bearing the Harbourwarden's Seal — connecting Karavelle Brinemont to the sabotage. This is the answer to why the ship crashed.

GM Notes: The Rift Spectres on the bridge were initially feeding on Rift energy in the bridge structure and not actively hostile — the first attack on Growth may have been triggered by approach or by Growth's own Rift-adjacent nature (Mycelium). The interior likely contains a Haze-Hulk (large Rift entity) and additional Spectres feeding on the exploded shard residue. The Saboteur's Specialised Kit (bearing the Harbourwarden's Seal) and a Depleted Rift Shard are located in the lantern room. A Chipped Spectroscope Lens is in the machinery. Showing the wrench to Rift Chaser technicians will trigger a major faction reaction.

Description

The Frost-Star Lighthouse stands on rocky bluffs above the Iskavell coastline, accessible by a stone bridge that crosses a gap over churning dark seawater. From a distance the lantern room is dark — no light has shone here since before the party's ship arrived on Iskavell. The bridge itself hums with residual Rift energy; jagged veins of light reportedly pulse beneath the surface, visible through the Truth-Lens. The air above the crossing shimmers with a sickly purple haze and smells of ozone and cold metal. The lighthouse tower is solid stone, soot-stained around the lantern room windows, with large shifting shadows visible through the glass from below. The wreck of the party's ship is visible from the bridge approach.

Key Features

• Stone Bridge: The only approach to the lighthouse from the mainland. Approximately 10 feet wide, crossing dark churning water. The surface is laced with Rift energy that prickles the skin. Guarded by Rift Spectres at session end.

• Lantern Room (uninvestigated): The top of the lighthouse where the beacon should burn. Dark and soot-stained. Large coiling shadows visible from outside. Per GM planning notes: the beacon housing is scorched from the inside out; the oil feeds have been capped; a custom Rift Shard containment bracket is installed. A Haze-Hulk is likely present.

• Bridge Approach (south): Where the party first engaged the Rift Spectres. Growth was struck here by a critical Life Drain. Combat is ongoing as of the session end.

Connections

NPC Connections

Karavelle Brinemont (Harbourwarden): A wrench bearing the Harbourwarden's Seal is reportedly in the lantern room — connecting the Harbourwarden's family directly to the unauthorised Rift Shard modifications.

Skorva: The party was tasked by Skorva to investigate why the lighthouse went dark and to prove their worth to Oakhaven. This is the location where that proof must be found.

Quest Connections

Investigate the Lighthouse: Primary quest location. Party must clear the Rift Spectres, enter the tower, and discover what caused the light to fail.

Retrieve the Anchor / Collect Salvage: The party's shipwreck is visible from the bridge approach. The wreck is nearby and may be accessible from here.

Session History

Session 4 — The Ticking Man

The party first reached the lighthouse in the pre-dawn hours of 2nd Wayseek, 748, after a failed navigation roll cost them approximately one hour of travel. On approach, Monroe spotted (Perception 19) approximately ten Rift Spectres — small wisps of blue-green-purple energy — drifting around the lighthouse and bridge. The whole party felt a prickling unease on their skin. Despite this, the party pressed forward. The first spectre immediately attacked Growth; a critical hit (natural 20) dealt 21 necrotic damage and reduced Growth's maximum HP to 0, dropping them unconscious. Combat ensued: Bam Bam raged and missed; Maeve attacked the first spectre for partial damage (resisted); Monroe destroyed it with Illusory Darts. Emilio moved to recover Growth. In the second round, Monroe destroyed a second spectre (15 psychic). Bam Bam took 11 off his maximum HP from a Life Drain. Maeve attacked a third spectre for partial damage before retreating toward Bam Bam. The session ended mid-combat with approximately eight spectres still active and Growth unconscious on the bridge.

Secret

Secret

Open Questions:

• Why did the first spectre immediately attack Growth rather than ignore the party? Were they drawn by Growth's Mycelium nature, their harvesting materials, or simply proximity?

• What is the large coiling shadow visible behind the lantern room glass? The Haze-Hulk per planning notes — but the party does not yet know this.

• Who modified the lighthouse to use a Rift Shard, and when? The evidence (the wrench with the Harbourwarden's Seal) is in the lantern room — the party has not yet found it.

• Can the party clear the bridge and enter the lighthouse with Growth unconscious and everyone Exhausted?

• Monroe saw purple-green light streaking the landscape from the ground during the march — connected to the Rift energy bleeding from the lighthouse?