LifeBeat Lanterns

Even in the densest areas of the Fog Zone, where the Order sends their unwanted and forgotten, there is help. A nomadic group within the city, the Lanterns set up temporary stations providing food, medicine, and safety.

Originally founded by the Elemental Counsel as a small support group for mythics escaping the slave trade, the Lanterns have grown into something far greater. What began as simple supplies and smuggling escapees out of the city has become a vast network to help as many people as possible. Everyone the Roads above have forgotten is welcome.

Most volunteers and support for the LifeBeat Lanterns come from the Foggers they support, but not all of them. Gentle hearts in the Heartlight, Academia, and Investigation spires quietly offer support through donations and occasional volunteering. Hidden helpers and protectors with blood ties to the Fog Zone reach out in any subtle way they can to help.

Never in one place too long, the LifeBeat Lanterns set up temporary safety zones within every district of the undercity. To avoid attention, these zones are hidden in the backrooms of taverns, disguised as old and abandoned market stalls, huddled under tented sections of long alleys, or opening the homes of brave volunteers.

Only the Lanterns themselves know how many members there are. Each group is made up of five to ten members led by a Lantern; a leader skilled in the primary purpose of that group and keeping everyone safe. Safety lies in planning, purpose, and discretion. Each of these leaders carries a true lantern to hang at the entrance to a safe zone, inscribed with their personal mark.


Lanterns run and manage each roving group. Interaction between groups is rare and typically limited to only the lanterns meeting if two groups respond to the same need. Each lantern builds their own group, carefully selecting individuals who can help meet their purpose.

One Pulser is assigned in every group. Once a location is established, the pulser moves to a nearby location where sounds will not travel, but vibrations will. This makes them more difficult to pin down while they use Fog Beat to drum the location into the ground, so those in need can find them.

Shades serve as secondary protection. They are the scouts and runners. Each group will have one or two shades. Once a pulse is established the shades keep a close eye on the location and everyone who comes near. Typically fast and fleet, they are also the first to greet a host if the location is in a tavern or volunteer home. If the proper greeting is not received, they can get out fast and keep the others away.

Hands are the regular members of each group. Normally between two and six hands are included in each group. These are the members who are specialized in the group purpose rather than having a job related to the group's function. They are the haulers and distributors of food and supply groups, the medics in healing groups, and the smugglers in escape groups.


In the dense fog of the undercity, the LifeBeat Lanterns are the silent guardians holding back the routine dangers of forgotten citizens. The Foggers do not ask questions. Answers might travel to ears that shouldn’t hear. But there are stories.

Stories of brave families hiding mythics newly liberated from their slavers, until a Lantern can get them out of the city. Stories of a one-day market stall handing out free coal to anyone who asks and never charging so much as a bead. Stories of fallen holy women providing miracle healing among the gravely sick and injured.

The spires hear stories too. Stories of thieves hiding in the fog and smuggling goods out of the city. Stories of mythics sneaking through the streets to bring darkness into the city. Stories of traitors to the Order who have abandoned the spires and are building up a resistance force.

The Lanterns have heard all the stories and remain silent. No one knows what is true and what is fantasy. No one asks.