The Light-in-Exile

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"You only see a fraction of the creature before you; even its own glow can't reach the full extent of its body. You see teeth, needle-like and long. You see an appendage that glows with peligin light, menacing and inviting in equal measure. You see eyes wide as lakes. This is a warm thing in a cold place."[1]

The Light-in-Exile is a mysterious being of unknown origin[2] who haunts the depths below the Magistracy of the Evenlode.[3] It is a vast creature with enormous eyes, needle-sharp teeth, and a lure emitting peligin light.[4][5] It exhibits intelligence,[6] and is able to communicate[7][8] and recognize others.[9] It does not hunt those it lures; rather, it seeks to befriend those who are outcasts. Its companions include lamp-men, lamp-cats, and Rubbery Men, all of whom glow as well.[10] Divers who do not meet its desires are rejected and returned to dry land.[11]

The Constables of the Evenlode use the Light's behavior as a "test" of sorts: a new recruit is submerged to meet the Light,[12][13] and if they return safely, they are formally welcomed into the group.[14] It is also implied that the Light has a role in the legal traditions and sentences of the Evenlode judiciary,[15][16] though it ultimately rests beyond their control.[17]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ The Light-In-Exile, Fallen London
  2. ↑ The Deeps of the Magistracy, Fallen London "But what lives there now [...] does not sound like the Creditor. [...] the Light-in-Exile, she does not know what it is."
  3. ↑ The Light-In-Exile, Fallen London "You [...] see a fraction of the creature before you; [...]"
  4. ↑ The Light-In-Exile, Fallen London "You [...] see a fraction of the creature [...] its own glow can't reach the full extent of its body. You see teeth, needle-like [...] an appendage that glows with peligin light, [...] eyes wide as lakes. [...]"
  5. ↑ Search the lowest Floors, Fallen London "Glimpses: Of monster-light [...] this glow, [...] draws you to it. Has drawn you to it."
  6. ↑ Fill a mirrorcatch box with peligin light, Fallen London "The Light-In-Exile wonders about the box; about what you mean to do [...] Who is it meant for?"
  7. ↑ Reach for it, Fallen London "The Light-in-Exile makes friends of outcasts [...] You, it's not [...] sure about. [...] You feel its age and want. It does not reject you, [...] neither does it accept you."
  8. ↑ Let it study you, Fallen London "Peligin brilliance fills your sight, and your mind."
  9. ↑ Let it study you, Fallen London "[..] the Light-in-Exile. [...] It recognises you."
  10. ↑ Reach for it, Fallen London "Little lights swim in the darkness, orbiting the great one: Lamp-cats [...] lamp-men. [...] rubberies, with bioluminescent lights [...] The Light-in-Exile makes friends of outcasts that disappear beneath the water [...]"
  11. ↑ Reach for it, Fallen London "The Light-in-Exile [...] it rejects Constables, and sends them back up to their fraternity above. [...] neither does it accept you. [...] You wash out on the banks of the Evenlode [...]"
  12. ↑ The Rite, Fallen London "[...] at the bottom, a light gleams [...] the novice constable [...] He is fully submerged."
  13. ↑ Reach for it, Fallen London "The Light-in-Exile [...] rejects Constables, and sends them back up to their fraternity above."
  14. ↑ Keep watching 3, Fallen London "He emerges from the water [...] "Not outcast. I'm not outcast." [...] The gathered officers [...] reassure him that he has passed, [...] he is one of them, part of the law of the Evenlode."
  15. ↑ Look closer at the daily practice of the court, Fallen London "Is the judiciary aware of what lurks beneath them? [...] on [...] complex cases, judges [...] leave to confer. [...] they reemerge [...] as if they've spent some time in the dark. [...] There is also the way guilty defendants exit court. [...] led out a door reserved only for them. [...] never spot any departing the Magistracy building [...] perhaps there are holding cells [...] But, occasionally, particularly obnoxious litigants from civil cases are shown out this way, too."
  16. ↑ Consider the Magistracy with new eyes, Fallen London "Two lawyers discuss [...] I had to let you win [...] he's not a bad lad. [...] he doesn't deserve—" You are spotted. "That.""
  17. ↑ Reach toward the light, Fallen London "Something that swims [...] under the courthouse. [...] that the magistrates cannot govern."
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