The Lantern at Emberfall Bridge

Level: 1–3
Tone: Mystery, Light Horror
Environment: Riverside Hamlet

Adventure Summary

A ghostly lantern appears every night on Emberfall Bridge, luring travelers toward the water. Villagers whisper that it is the spirit of a drowned ferryman, endlessly searching for the passengers he failed to save. The truth is far stranger.

Story Hook

The PCs arrive in the hamlet of Redmere during the annual Harvest Fair, where locals warn them to avoid the bridge after dusk. That night, someone’s child vanishes — and a shimmering lantern is seen drifting across the fog.

Key Locations

Emberfall Bridge

• Dripping planks
• Cold mist rising from below
• A glowing blue lantern hovering 3 feet above the bridge

The Ferryman’s Shack

• Waterlogged journals
• A rusted set of ferry bells
• A hidden compartment containing a strange river charm

Main Encounters

1. The Drowned Lantern Wisp

A corrupted nature spirit that mimics a human voice.
Its lantern is a magical focus binding it to the bridge.

2. The River’s Memory

Touching the lantern triggers a psychic vision of the ferryman’s final moments.

3. Freeing the Spirit

The PCs must either:

• Burn the lantern
• Cleanse it with holy water
• Carry it to the far bank and ring the ferry bells

Rewards

• Ferryman’s River Charm (+1 to all checks involving navigation or danger detection near water)
• Villagers grant free lodging and supplies