Category:Lantern Jack

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

This section contains Homebrew non-canon info, created by fans

Descriptive Text

And the pumpkin said, “But I do not wish to spoil and die. I am new to this world and its wonders.” The magician replied, “Death is the spice of life. All who are born are born to die.” The pumpkin thought about this for a long moment before replying brightly, “You created me, you created life, you are a god, give me everlasting life.” The magician chuckled bitterly, “Oh, were it so Jack. My beloved Sylvie would not die. But know that I am a but a humble stage magician. She too shall one day die.” After the magician had returned to his tinkering the pumpkin whispered, “Indeed she will. And then we will have your measure.”

-Lantern Jack and the Stage Magician, Dementlieuse folktale

Descriptive text contributed by cure to John W. Mangrum's Teeny Tiny Tales of Terror project (posted on the Fraternity of Shadows message board).

Details

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

The lantern jack^[1] is a magical plant, similar to a gourd, that serves its grower. It is not found in the wild. It is conscious and self-conscious. It lives for only a few days, something that it is not pleased to discover. Indeed it is very likely to attempt to kill its creator unless entirely persuaded that he or she is sparing no effort and no expense in trying to prolong its life. Curiously enough, the lantern jack was developed in Darkon with the assistence of Professor Abelhous Nicholsi at the University of Il Aluk. Although a renowned botanist and biologist generally, he had no aptitude for magic.

Creation

This section contains canon info from officially published sources

Creation of a lantern jack requires the Craft Wondrous Item feat, Knowledge (nature), the awaken spell, a pumpkin, and 4,500 gp.

John W. Mangrum's Latern Jack Lore^[2]

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) or Knowledge (nature) can learn more about lantern jacks. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.

DC Result

• 10 This jack-o’-lantern-headed walking plant is a lantern jack. They sprout from magic pumpkins called lantern jack seeds. This result reveals all plant traits. They can only use simple gestures to communicate, but they understand the language of whoever sprouted them.

• 15 Lantern jacks are generally useful for menial labor. They can fight with weapons if so commanded, but are ungainly at it. If using Knowledge (nature), the character also knows the specifics of the rite to create a lantern jack seed.

• 20 Although lantern jack seeds last indefinitely, a sprouted lantern jack only lives for a week before it withers. A lantern jack must plant roots and rest for three hours a night.

• 25 On occasion, a lantern jack may develop free will and the desire to extend its brief life — at any cost.

References

Data from the Ravenloft Catalogue

		Van Richten's Arsenal
		Van Richten's Arsenal - p48
		Van Richten's Arsenal - p46