Anyone know how old-timey lanterns work?

[Eladrinblade]

If my character is using, say, a bullseye lantern, the one that shoots a cone out 60ft, can it be pointed up or down, or will that screw with the oil/fire?

[Venger]

If my character is using, say, a bullseye lantern, the one that shoots a cone out 60ft, can it be pointed up or down, or will that screw with the oil/fire?
real life lanterns are just a candle in a metal box with some glass on the front to block wind.

non-decorative ones that were meant for adventuring back in history usually had some spikes you'd jam the candle onto on the floor so it wouldn't tip over or slide around, but you know if you tilt a candle too much, the wax might drown out the wick

in real life, it's a little dodgy, but mechanically, there's no penalty for doing this so go for it.

[Elkad]

It's an oil lamp. Just like kerosene lamps you still see, except it's a metal body with a lens on one side.

It won't go out if you tip it briefly, or hold it at a moderate angle. Trying to shine it down a well would result in it burning poorly at best, and it would quickly start leaking fuel oil all over with potentially catastrophic results.

You could aim the light with a mirror though.

[Thurbane]

It depends on the exact type of medieval/ancient lamp that the lanterns in D&D are supposed to represent. In short, ask your DM, but there's nothing OP about using it like it's a modern battery powered torch. It depends how far into realism you are looking for your game to go...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp

http://jillwilliamson.com/2010/05/medieval-facts-lighting-part-three-oil-lamps/

http://www.lisashea.com/lisabase/writing/medieval/lighting.html

http://www.sciencebuzz.org/museum/object/2003_05_roman_oil_lamp

http://schematics.mikesreelrepair.com/thumbnails.php?album=302

[PacMan2247]

The part you light is a wick that hangs down into the oil reservoir, drawing oil up into itself. Depending on the actual design, tipping a lantern either up or down could result in pouring oil out of the reservoir and onto the exterior of the lamp, which could very easily turn into a small fireball set off in the palm of your hand. Lanterns are great at protecting a flame from wind, but not so much when it comes to tipping them.

I could see an argument being made for that being taken into account when someone is designing and building a lamp, but with all the exploration and sea travel our own world has seen, I've never heard of anyone designing a lamp with those capabilities. Whether the needs of your particular campaign world would have dictated otherwise isn't for me to say.

[cagemarrow]

You could just have continual flame cast on the reflective dish and never have to fill it with oil again.

[Elkad]

This is the Victorian bullseye lantern, which the D&D one is likely based on.

Other than the whole "fire in your hand" thing, it was as good or better than flashlights at projecting a beam until fairly recently.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfNwzgi9BlM