Lantern Light

Now, Lantern Light is a crossroads between the people of Hemlock and the Royal Road. There is nothing especially special about Lantern Light, which is part of what makes it so special. It's population doesn't come close to matching Caim but it's not so small as a place like Crooked Post. The people of Lantern Light fish the river, grind their mills, and farm their land, producing a life for themselves some would call idyllic.

The city got its name due to always having light throughout the city at night. This is partially symbolic to show their commitment to peace and order, which is enforced due to being a stop on the prison transport route to Hemlock, but also functional as the town is near Mythrisyl forest, a place many of the townsfolk fear and tell tall tales about.

Lantern Light is a stop the people of the Cavalcade Lament always look forward to, and a legend says even Hellfall himself takes ease while there.

City Landmarks

Skyward Millwork - a large mill using both the power of the river and the power of the wind coming in from the mountains to produce grain with its many grinding apparatuses. The townsfolk are very proud of the engineering that went into this non-magical production line, and one can hear the creaking of the mill throughout the day all around town.

Old Lideeya's Tower - Old Lideeya was a mage who once lived in town back when it was first founded and insisted on a tower being built for her, as she believed all good mages had towers. Since she was an important member of the community, the tower was built, and when she passed, the children of the town had fun pretending she still haunts its halls. In truth, the tower is used as a grain silo, but some say there's a little magic left inside.

Day's End Tavern - the go to for a drink at the end of the day, one can usually find the townfolk gathered at the Day's End to swap gossip, complain, and make merry around a tankard

Lanternmen's Leatherworks - when one of the livestock is butchered, the skin always goes to Lanternmen's. Renowned across Vault as some of the best leatherworking around, Lanternmen's makes everything from boots to vests, cudgels to purses. It may take some time to produce but the quality is worth the wait.

Highest Heights Library - a library and book store that deals exclusively in fiction. Being between Sophivitas and Caim can make anyone want to escape rhetoric and philosophy for some time in a good story, and Highest Heights delivers that to its people. No history or text book will be found here -- just the fantastical.

Dragon Breath Herbalist - run by an eccentric old man named Pickens who adores experimenting with herbs of all kinds, the Dragon Breath is considered more of a diversion than an actual place to heal woes. Still, every once in a while, Pickens stumbles into some extraordinary concoction.

Home Away Barrack - those who have leave from Hemlock Bastille most commonly make their way to Lantern Light. Some of the higher officials even keep homes within the city. For those who don't the Home Away provides comfortable rooms focused on giving them peace and quiet. After all, their leave from their post is meant to help them detach from the madness within the prison.

Windkept Gate and Bridge - the most readily identifiable part of Lantern Light is the gate on its western shore which blocks entry from the Windkept bridge over the River Swyft. While not a terribly imposing gate, and also not necessary considering the security of the Royal Road, it has been tradition for hundreds of years in Lantern Light to guard the gate and ascertain the nature of travelers entering Lantern Light from the west. Which is comical considering the city is entirely open from the east.

People of Note

Tenevor Bogmine: Male Goliath, village mayor, an amazing storyteller and lover of all things green and easy

Atrocity Bogmine: Female Tiefling, once a member of Coven, Atrocity married Tenevor after he raided her town and the two fell in love. She is in charge of distributing goods around Highcroft

Betterly Evertoe: Female Halfling, maintains the gardens around the city to keep it looking as lovely as herself

Shreeve the Sleeve: Non-Binary Human, a permanent member of the Bastille's presence in the city, Shreeve ensures those on leave are cared for, and also runs security during prison transports