The Light-in-Exile

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### Related

Lamp-Cats

> *"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."*
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The **Light-in-Exile** is a mysterious being of unknown origin who haunts the depths below the Magistracy of the Evenlode. It is a vast creature with enormous eyes, needle-sharp teeth, and a lure emitting peligin light. It exhibits intelligence, and is able to communicate and recognize others. 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. Divers who do not meet its desires are rejected and returned to dry land.

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

## References

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."*