Beyond the Last Lantern

Beyond the Last Lantern

In Briarbell, three slow strokes of the watchbell mean someone is missing. Neighbors gather with lanterns, rope, blankets, and whatever useful magic they can spare. Tonight, you might be among those who answer.

Beyond the orchards lie abandoned mines, forgotten shrines, and ruins that nobody has fully explored. There is work for adventurers willing to investigate, help their neighbors, and occasionally bring something troublesome back through the town gates.

And beyond the valley, a much larger world awaits.

The game

Beyond the Last Lantern is a traditional fantasy adventure campaign using Cypher System Evolved, specifically the Fantasy genre’s Dungeon Fantasy options, played by post on Mythweavers.

The campaign begins with local adventures around Briarbell: exploring dungeons, solving problems, recovering treasures, and getting to know the people who live there. As the party grows in capability and reputation, the adventure will expand into distant regions, greater mysteries, and confrontations with increasingly powerful foes.

Briarbell is the beginning of the journey. Your characters’ ambitions and choices will help shape what follows.

What to expect

• Dungeon exploration: Forgotten places with histories, inhabitants, hazards, and discoveries.

• Fantasy adventure: Monsters, magical treasures, dangerous journeys, and opportunities for heroism.

• People worth knowing: Friends, rivals, employers, and neighbors whose relationships with the party develop through play.

• Several ways forward: Combat has its place, alongside negotiation, investigation, and creative problem-solving.

• Growing scope: Begin with achievable local goals and work toward adventures worthy of legends.

The tone combines a welcoming home base with real danger beyond its doors. There is room for humor, friendship, difficult decisions, and hard-earned victories.

Characters

Bring an adventurer who has a reason to work with a party and take an interest in the world.

You might be a Briarbell local, someone returning after years away, or a newcomer seeking work and a fresh start. You do not need an elaborate backstory or a foretold destiny. A clear motivation and a few connections will give us plenty to build upon.

Dungeon Fantasy types include Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Mage, Monk, Necromancer, Paladin, Ranger, and Rogue.

Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Gnomes, Orcs, Dragonfolk, and Hellborn share the setting. Other familiar fantasy species can be discussed.

Use the Cypher System Evolved Character Rulebook as the character reference. Character creation details belong in the game’s character creation area.

Magic and cyphers

Expect potions, scrolls, runes, charms, and other fantasy forms of manifest cyphers. These are useful, single-use magical resources intended to be used and replaced during your adventures. An unusual item may give you an entirely new way to approach a problem.

The kind of party we are building

Characters can have different beliefs, personalities, and ambitions while still choosing to support one another. Give your companions reasons to trust you, share the spotlight, and leave room for everyone to contribute.

For play by post, clear intentions and posts that give others something to respond to matter more than length. Help keep decisions moving, and communicate when you need time away.

Introduce your character

Start with a short concept and answers to these questions:

• What draws your character to adventuring?

• Why are they in Briarbell, and who or what connects them to it?

• What makes them a dependable companion?

• What do they hope to find, learn, earn, or become?

Read the player handout for an introduction to the town and campaign.

The autumn fair is approaching. The inn needs extra hands, the Wayfarers’ Hall has fresh work, and an abandoned watchhouse needs exploring.

Bring your character. We will discover what lies beyond the last lantern together.