Investigator's Field Kit — Lantern and Awl
The Oilcloth-Wrapped Field Kit
A battered wooden field box sits on the bottom shelf of the cabinet behind Hendrick's desk. Inside, oilcloth and folded felt cradle a black iron lantern with cloudy glass shutters and a short engraving awl with a brass collar. Both pieces have been carefully wiped clean; dark smears remain on the wrapping.
Discovery: Once the hall is safe, anyone searching the office cabinet finds the box without a check. The lid is unlatched. Both items are together inside and can be recovered intact.
- Lantern of Last Echoes — one lantern, nestled in the larger compartment.
- Thuld's Pattern Awl — one awl, secured in a felt sleeve beside the lantern.
The paired tools suggest someone was examining deaths and altered markings around the camp. Nothing in the box identifies its owner or explains the purpose of the Lower Works.
Identify Magic: After discovering an item's magic, spend 10 minutes per item; the GM rolls a secret DC 18 check (item level 2, plus 2 for uncommon). Trained Occultism for the lantern; trained Arcana, Nature, Occultism, or Religion for the awl.
Results: Success reveals its general function and activation; critical success reveals all magical properties. Failure prevents that character retrying for 1 day; critical failure gives false information. An identifier can explain the activation to companions.
Use right away? Yes, once the wielder knows the activation and meets its requirements. Neither item needs investment, spellcasting, a particular class, or a minimum character level. Each is held in 1 hand. The lantern provides continuous light; Final Glimmer takes 2 actions, once per day. The awl's Read the Cut takes 1 minute, once per 10 minutes, with a once-per-day enhancement revealing the previous design where traces remain. All uses are available when found; passing an item around does not reset its limits.
Limits: The lantern needs identifiable remains of a creature dead within 7 days. The awl needs an adjacent, visible mundane or magical inscription, engraved seal, or marking no larger than a 5-foot square. See the linked item entries for full effects.
Rules: Identify Magic; DCs; Using Items.