A torch is a stick of some kind with one burning end. Sounds simple, yet its impact in a dark tunnel beneath the earth is profound indeed. Did you remember to pack a torch?
Stuff about torches
- stick, rod, staff, wand, pole,
- bamboo, wood, iron, bronze,
- coal, kerosene, oil, whale oil, sulfur and lime, tallow, wax, paraffin, beeswax, suet, lard, pitch, lamp oil, alcohol,
- wick, cloth, linen, cotton, burlap, rope, cord, fiber, hemp, grass, paper, dung, hair, fur, special herbs, materials, elements,
- soaked, oiled, wrapped, drenched, dunked, permeated, wound, immersed, impregnated,
- magic light,
- enchanted torches:
- “everflame” torches never go out
- floating torches follow characters around and don’t need to be carried
- dancing torches can create fear or enchant and charm viewers
- magical attacking torch can burp fire at an enemy
- dark torches are evil “anti-light” generators
- whisper torches act as wards to protect an area and “whisper” messages of warning
- frost torches provide light but not heat; in fact, they give off a cold aura
Actions with torches
- carry, hold, place, bear,
- throw, toss, drop, fumble
- wave, swing, brandish, fend,
- attack, whack, hit, thump, strike,
- defend, protect, fend off, fight off, block, save,
- light, burn,inflame, ignite,
- douse, put out, extinguish, kill,
- dance, perform, show off, juggle,
- cook, heat, warm up, fend off cold,
- illuminate, light, reveal,
- cover, hide, direct (the light), baffle, conceal,
- evoke, conjure, cast (a spell), enrapture, charm, bless, curse,
- celebrate, honor, perform a rite or ritual, light a funeral pyre,
- warn, caution, ward off, dispell,
Environments where torches can be found
- in dungeons, castles, keeps,
- at celebrations, parties, funerals
- can be purchased at markets
- on ships, on battlements
- in the hands of torchbearers
- in sacrificial chambers, at witch burnings, anywhere where rituals or rites are being performed.
- at night, twilight, dusk, witching hour, dawn,
- spluttering in the rain, drizzle, fog, mist,
- SEE light and dark for good ideas on qualities of light
Characters with torches
- torch salesman (duh)
- torch bearer, servant, porter, doorman
- clerics, cult members
- adventurers, travelers, wanderers
- smokers
- people who put out torches:
- assassins, spies, sneaks, thieves, brigands
- devils, demons, polgtergeists, Death,
- undead, vampires, spooks, haunts,
- (personified) the wind, night, cold, winter, hate, anger, wrath, despair
Developments with torches
- accidentally set something alight
- fall and extinguish at inopportune times
- eventually burn out, run out of fuel
- get wet and fail to light
- cause blindness for those who prefer the dark
- highlight targets, give positions away,