Hex 21

21. Northwatch Beacon

A peak rises here in the northern part of this hex, around the ridges of which an ancient road has been cut and the top of which has been cut off. This mountain is called Northwatch Beacon. The legend is that in ancient times an eternal watch fire burned on the top of this small mount, reminding the people of the region that the king was on the throne and the watch was keeping the land safe. No fire has burned on the Beacon in ten generations (at least), even though there has continuously been a High King in the Highlands.

The top of the mount is enchanted, and the legend is largely true. When a true king rules the land, an eternal fire can be lit and kept burning atop the Northwatch Beacon. Once the Eternal Fire was extinguished, no one has bothered to try to re-ignite the Eternal Fire. But when there is no Eternal Flame ignited on the Beacon, no fire at all will burn atop the mountain in any form, even magical fire (including such spells as fireball, though lightning bolt would function normally atop the Beacon).

A great basin filled with water rests atop the beacon. The basin is enchanted, causing the water that is collected therein to become combustable and is easily ignited... except that no flame will ignite on the beacon when the Eternal Flame is not ignited... There is continuously 20 gallons of flamable water in the basin. Water removed from the basin remains flamable for 1d12 hours and, if ignited, burns at the rate of one gallon per hour.