Lantern

The Lantern is a magical device that is given to every prospective Agent when they join The Lamplighters. It acts as both a symbol and badge of recognition (denoting all who carry one to be a Lamplighter Agent), and as a practical magical apparatus which can be used out in the field. Every active Agent carries one, and nobody else may use another Agent's Lantern; its flame is bound to a single person. The exact shape, design and behaviour of an Agent's Lantern varies from person to person due to its customisability and it is as unique as the one who carries it.

Appearance
In the default state it is given to an Agent, the Lantern is a small, grey, diamond-shaped metal cage approximately the size of the Agent's thumb. It is sealed on each side with hardened glass crystal and the metal cage is crafted from Arcanite and are issued to an Agent attached to the end of a silver chain. Upon accepting the invitation to join, the Lantern is lit either by Control or one of the Hands, and from that point onwards a tiny white flame will always be present inside the Lantern's cage. The flame produces no heat but can be utilised as a dim light source.

Both the cage and glass are almost impossible to break barring the most extreme of forces. It can stand intense heat, pressure, crushing force and magical assault without more than surface or cosmetic damage. Similarly, the Lantern's flame is unable to be extinguished through ordinary means. The flame will only go out by itself if the Agent carrying it departs the organisation officially, or if they die. Because of the range of the Lanterns also, the flame will also extinguish should the Agent leave Azeroth, but will reignite again upon their return.

Due to the materials used in their creation, the Lanterns are extremely customisable to even Agents with no smithing or magical talents. The Lanterns can take many forms from necklaces, belt buckles, brooches or earrings, and their shape can be adjusted to the Agent's liking such as the shape of a symbol or favoured form. The Lantern's size remains generally uniform however as does the size of the light within.

Communication
Outside of being a badge of office, the Lantern has three main practical function for members of the guild. Primarily, it is used for mental communication between Agents. Pressing a hand or finger to the device, the Agent can direct their thoughts into a message or mental image towards another Agent. These messages can be sent both collectively or to a specific Agent without a sound being uttered by either party. As such, it can be used to wordlessly communicate with fellow Agents across vast distances, even on other continents, and can be vital for calling for assistance or relaying messages. In the heat of missions, Agents can even formulate a plan among one another in complete silence. When Control contacts Agents using this feature, each Lantern light contacted glows much brighter inside its cage.

Tracking
Secondly, the Lantern acts as a homing beacon and tracker. An Agent can activate this feature at will, and their current location will 'ping' to all other Agents and let them know where they are. Agents cannot track each other without the others permission however; they can only be tracked when they specifically allow it to be done. Only Control knows where Agents are at all times, and they would only reveal this information with good reason.

Information Archive
The last of the main functions the Lantern serves is granting Agents access to a detailed information archive; a repository of data useful for both past and present adventures. All of this information is freely accessible with a touch through the Lantern; all that is required is that the Agent attempt to search for it. This can include notable places, cultures and people, details of past adventures, and publicly compiled information on both the structure of the organisation and the Agents who comprise it. For present missions, the Lantern also comes with a built-in calendar as well as maps, coordinates and points of interest in areas where missions are currently ongoing. It also informs Agents of any upcoming missions and gatherings that may be happening, and Agents are free to details their own using this system.

Other Uses
Outside of the main three functions, the Lantern can also be used to interact with Lamplighter technology. Brass braziers are placed in select locations around Azeroth for more direct communication with Control; the few facilities still operated by the guild will only open with a Lantern light, and some Lamplighter security measures will only respond to the use of a Lantern. As well, certain allies will not speak or share secrets until the Agent show their allegiance by displaying their ignited Lantern to them. While this is not used regularly, it is a handy feature should any facility warrant investigation.

Lastly, the Lantern can also be used as a weak light source. However, due to the light within not being a real flame, it cannot be used to create a fire that emits heat or consumes material.

The Lantern Network
All of the Lanterns are connected together through a system known as The Lantern Network. Each flame inside the Lanterns all originates from the same source and it is through this Network that Agents can reach out to communicate with each other, how Control can locate people's positions and how they access the information archives. The Network's source is located in the hidden Lamplighter HQ close by to Control and is monitored and maintained closely by the Director personally.

Twice before, the Network has been damaged or destroyed entirely, with much of the data gathered from the repository lost or fragmented. As such, while the information archive is detailed, it is by no means comprehensive. However, as Agents work, background information is picked up and added to the Network over time.

The Black Lantern Network (Destroyed)
Throughout the duration of Department Four, the Agents who were assigned there were given a Black Lantern - very similar in appearance to the ordinary Lantern save that it emitted a black flame within. This served as a notice and as a warning that they should be handled with care. After The Schism, The Curator subverted the Black Lantern Network for his own use, and was able to deliver his orders through it to the rogue Agents. It was destroyed towards the end of The Curator Campaign and with the disillusion of Department Four, the Black Lanterns were never re-established.