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| 2 | %% The examples on this page have been sorted alphabetically. Please help keep this page tidy by adding new ones in order. Thank you! |
| 3 | %% |
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| 11 | [[quoteright:350:[[Film/HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOfAzkaban https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lumos_07.png]]]] |
| 12 | [[caption-width-right:350:[[Literature/TheBible And then Professor Snape said, "Let there be light", and there was light.]]]] |
| 13 | %% |
| 14 | %% Caption selected per above thread. Please don't change or remove without approval from the Caption Repair thread: |
| 15 | %% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900 |
| 16 | %% |
| 17 | ->''But mysterious caves and tunnels always have luminous fungi, strangely bright crystals or at a pinch merely an eldritch glow in the air, just in case a human hero comes in and needs to see in the dark. Strange but true.'' |
| 18 | -->-- '''Creator/TerryPratchett''', ''Literature/MenAtArms'' |
| 19 | |
| 20 | In speculative fiction, especially low-tech and high-magic fantasy settings, you can't expect to see much use of regular flashlights to use in dark areas, so there are either {{Hollywood Torch}}es or the Fantastic Light Source to use. Common variants include {{glowing gem}}s, {{lighting bug}}s and [[GlowingFlora luminescent flora and fungus]], while MundaneUtility may be derived from the fact that PowerGlows or from [[PlayingWithFire fire]], [[ShockAndAwe electricity]], or {{light|EmUp}}-based ElementalPowers. Either way, it's almost always guaranteed to [[InfiniteFlashlight last indefinitely]]. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | See HollywoodDarkness, for when no explanation is given for all the light and visibility on the scene. Not to be confused with SupernaturalLight, which signifies spirits or ghosts. |
| 23 | ---- |
| 24 | !!Examples: |
| 25 | |
| 26 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 27 | |
| 28 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 29 | * ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'': Glowing Ore harvested from the Reiss family's underground cavern. Thought to be produced by some sort of Titan power. It emits more light than a torch, and with appropriate manufacturing, can greatly extend nighttime operations. |
| 30 | * ''Manga/CrimsonSpell'': Early in, Halvir gives Prince Vald a fairy in a jar to use as a light source, instructing him to smack it and make the fairy angry to make it glow. Vald, who is a nicer person than Havi is, sets the fairy loose as soon as Havi has left. |
| 31 | * ''Anime/DoraemonNobitaAndTheKnightsOnDinosaurs'' takes place mostly in the underground world of Enriru (Populated by [[LizardFolk raptor-men, descended from velociraptors]]) where despite being subterranean, is constantly illuminated - thanks to the glowing fungus on the cavern roofs. |
| 32 | * In ''Manga/KamichamaKarin'', Karin once uses her [[PowerGlows glowy]] [[RingOfPower magic ring]] as a flashlight. |
| 33 | * ''Manga/MagicalRecordLyricalNanohaForce'': Chapter 8 shows that mages in the setting have a spell that creates floating orbs of light that serves as this when they need to work at night in places away from civilization, such as when [[spoiler:paramedics were carting away Signum after her battle against Cypha [[NearDeathExperience left her in critical condition]]]]. |
| 34 | * ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Naruto's Super Mode, which calls on the uncorrupted Ninetails chakra, is used as a flashlight, which is then properly [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]]. |
| 35 | * In ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', the Light spell is so simple even someone with zero magic potential can learn it. This is used to show how little people outside of the Barrier know about magic, as their version of a wizard can do the light spell, and nothing else. |
| 36 | %%* ''Webcomic/TowerOfGod'': Shinsu, due to PowerGlows. |
| 37 | [[/folder]] |
| 38 | |
| 39 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 40 | * ''ComicBook/GambitMarvelComics'': Gambit has occasionally used his powers to turn an object (naturally, typically a playing card) into a light source. |
| 41 | * ''Franchise/WonderWoman'': |
| 42 | ** On numerous occasions, the titular hero has used the glow of her Lasso of Truth for a bit of light in pitch dark settings. |
| 43 | ** ''ComicBook/WonderWomanRebirth'': Deimos and Phobos use the soul stone for errie lighting in the dark. Made especially creepy as the twin fear gods have trapped human souls inside, the bodies to which they belong being "alive" but empty and [[TheFaceless faceless]] somewhere on earth. |
| 44 | [[/folder]] |
| 45 | |
| 46 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 47 | * ''Webcomic/DestinyIntertwined'': The dragons use clusters of large glowing crystals as light sources in their buildings. |
| 48 | * ''Fanfic/FFSIBelieveInYou'': In the sequel, as Zola Province is located very deep beneath the sea, and is consequently very dark and unsuitable for most forms of lighting, the zoras living there make use of captured bari -- bioluminescent jellyfish-like creatures -- for illumination. |
| 49 | * ''Fanfic/VowOfNudity'': Haara can summon a flame in her hand as a light source, and Spectra can cast the ''light'' spell on anything portable within reach (usually a pebble or her necklace gemstone). |
| 50 | * ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached'': After Paul becomes able to cast the light spell he learned, he serves as the walking, talking Fantastic Light Source for the four. |
| 51 | [[/folder]] |
| 52 | |
| 53 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 54 | * ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'' |
| 55 | ** The Atlanteans wear small glowing crystals as necklaces that can provide some light if there isn't anything else available. When Milo and Kida go exploring some underwater murals, they use Kida's crystal as a reading light. |
| 56 | ** The Heart of Atlantis is a power source, referred to as a "crystal", that generates a lot of light, illuminating the underground chamber where its hidden and negating the need for flashlights. |
| 57 | * ''WesternAnimation/ABugsLife'': The ant colony uses luminescent mushrooms as lighting. |
| 58 | * ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe1'': One of the Minions is used as a glow stick. |
| 59 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'': Rapunzel uses her magic hair to find the way out of a flooded cave. |
| 60 | * ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3'': Due to the fact he glows in the dark, Buzz is used as a source of light for the other toys in one scene. |
| 61 | [[/folder]] |
| 62 | |
| 63 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 64 | * ''Film/{{Avatar}}'': The nights on Pandora are lit by the moon's biolumiscent flora. |
| 65 | * ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': |
| 66 | ** ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'': The Tesseract is the only light source in TheTeaser apart from fires in the background. |
| 67 | ** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'': |
| 68 | *** Groot, a PlantPerson, is able to produce bio-luminescent spores from his body. |
| 69 | *** Peter Quill uses a glass-like orb of light when exploring a ruin. In a pinch, it's also quite effective at [[DisintegratorRay disintegrating people]] when shattered. |
| 70 | * ''Film/PitchBlack'': Occurs at the climax with the [[spoiler:glowing worms]] found in a cave. These help keep the light-sensitive monsters at bay long enough to allow [[spoiler:the survivors to make it to the shuttle]] at the end. |
| 71 | * ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'': Rey uses her lightsaber as an illumination source in an underground area. It's notably more effective than the dinky little flashlight Poe pulls out. |
| 72 | [[/folder]] |
| 73 | |
| 74 | [[folder:Gamebooks]] |
| 75 | * The ''Literature/{{Sorcery}}'' series have the SUN spell available for players assuming the role of wizards. With a yellow Sun Jewel, they can create an artificial light powerful enough to illuminate a dark room. |
| 76 | * ''Literature/LegendOfZagor'' has the Light Spell, which can be used when the player enters dungeons or dimly-lit areas. It's especially useful in the kitchen - by using this spell the player will find out the larder to be filled with a SwarmOfRats, which they are then told to avoid (or risk catching the Bubonic plague in the dark larder). |
| 77 | [[/folder]] |
| 78 | |
| 79 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 80 | * ''Literature/{{Below}}'' has several magic sources of light. There's the daybreak spell, which creates a full artificial day. But spell lamps are this world's equivalent to the light bulb, made of enchanted scrap glass and fueled by liquid magic ''esen'' drawn through wire wicks, which cast white light like the sun. The party carries a few of these. [[DungeonCrawling The ruins]] contain a few self-replenishing lamps that have remained active for many centuries. |
| 81 | * ''Literature/BooksOfTheRaksura'': Raksura Mentors and other magical people can enchant common substances, usually wood or stone, to give off a reasonably long-lasting light. Within the setting, it's seen as a common MundaneFantastic element. |
| 82 | * ''Literature/TheBuriedMoon'': The Moon herself has [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold magical blonde hair]] that brightens the night. |
| 83 | * ''Literature/TheBrightestShadow'': Sein spheres provide consistent light in tunnels and other areas that couldn't logically be lit constantly by torches. |
| 84 | %%* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'': Princess Eilonwy's "bauble" (aka the Golden Pelydryn). |
| 85 | * ''Literature/ColdfireTrilogy'': The Fire briefly wielded by Damian in the first book and the coldfire wielded by the Hunter. The Fire is the last remaining sample of tamed solar fae bound to water with the prayers of thousands. Solar fae, unlike others, can only be tamed through massive collective effort and belief, and faith in the present is no longer strong enough to do so. It's a handy light source that is also anathema to any creature of the darkness. Coldfire is a "flame" that is as cold as true fire is hot (and just as dangerous) that gives off an eerie blue light. The Hunter wields a sword imbued with tamed fae that radiates coldfire as his weapon of choice. |
| 86 | * Literature/{{Discworld}}: |
| 87 | ** ''Literature/MenAtArms'' lampshades this, when two characters that can see in the dark fall in a tunnel, but the narration points out, that for the benefit of viewers and to fit conventions there are fluorescent fungi on the walls giving it a slight blue tint. |
| 88 | ** ''Literature/TheLastContinent'' also lampshades this in a similar situation, with the lighting being provided by glowing rocks. |
| 89 | ** In ''Literature/{{Thud}}'', the dwarf mine is lit by vurms, [[BioluminescenceIsCool bioluminescent]] carrion-eating creepy-crawlies. |
| 90 | ** The Nac Mac Feegle have [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings swords that glow blue]] [[EvilLawyerJoke in the presence of lawyers.]] |
| 91 | * ''Literature/DragonBones'' has glowing rocks, which are implied to have been made by dwarves. |
| 92 | * In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', Harry often uses magic to light up his pentacle amulet. Though it's a modern setting, Harry's amulet is more reliable because technological lighting often fails when magic's afoot. He also occasionally uses faith magic to light up his pentacle which has the secondary ability to repel those weak to faith. |
| 93 | * ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' has glowglobes, free-floating lamps equipped with antigravity generators. Like many other aspects of the Duniverse, they have also been borrowed by ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. |
| 94 | * ''Literature/GoblinsInTheCastle'': After William meets Granny Pinchbottom and tells her how he freed the goblins, she gives him an amulet containing a "knot of light" as thanks for freeing them. It only works in total darkness though. |
| 95 | * ''Literature/HarryPotter'': |
| 96 | ** Wands can generate light with the Lumos spell. |
| 97 | ** The Deluminator (or Put-Outer) device, one of Dumbledore's inventions, has the opposite effect: when activated, it steals the light away from nearby sources[[note]]it doesn't have to be a dedicated light source either, as Ron once clicked it in a pub and the TV turned off[[/note]]. The trapped light can be carried around and released as suspended balls of light. |
| 98 | * ''Literature/JohannesCabalAndTheFearInstitute'': Played for black comedy when Johannes shoves the necromantically reanimated skull of Ercusides onto the end of a stick as an improvised torch -- the ColdFlames of his trapped soul make a handy light source, Ercusides' griping aside. |
| 99 | * ''Literature/TheKingkillerChronicle'': "Sympathy lamps" [[EquivalentExchange convert]] ambient heat into bright, steady light and can last almost forever. Their expense makes them uncommon outside the [[WizardingSchool University]], but they're a MundaneFantastic appliance to people who can afford them, and Kvothe makes easy money on the side by manufacturing them. |
| 100 | * ''Literature/LabyrinthsOfEcho'' has fungi in fishbowls that emit pleasant orange light when irritated (the switch is connected to little brushes). And magical luminescent lamps for blue light. |
| 101 | * ''Literature/TheLastDragonlord'' has dragonfire, orbs of harmless and seemingly cold fire that give off light. |
| 102 | * ''Literature/MaledictionTrilogy'': Trolls do not use any external light sources in their city (which is very convenient, since it is buried under the mountain, so fuel is scarce and smoke would be a problem). Each pure-blooded or mixed-blood troll is capable of creating a small light that follows them at all times. They can also infuse glass objects with their light and even provide them with a switch-on[=/=]switch-off capability. |
| 103 | * ''Literature/NettleAndBone'': The [[AmbiguouslyHuman dust-wife]] keeps a jar of moonlight that [[TouchTheIntangible she caught]], and decants some into a vial for a clean light source. |
| 104 | * ''Literature/OldKingdom'': One basic [[RunicMagic Charter mark]] creates a clean, long-lasting light when inscribed on a surface. Charter Magic is so [[MundaneFantastic ubiquitous]] at the time period of ''Clariel'' that some urban elites use mundane chandeliers as a form of ConspicuousConsumption. |
| 105 | * ''Literature/RiversOfLondon'': The first spell Peter learns is a "werelight". Since he lives in 21st century London with streetlights, torches and and so on, it's mostly significant as a building block for more complex spells like fireballs, although Peter does sometimes find himself in the dark without a technological light source. As the easiest spell to maintain, but one that's literally radiant, it's also handy as bait for {{Magic Eater}}s. |
| 106 | * ''Literature/ShadowOfTheConqueror'': Sunstones, which replace electric lightning as per Tellos's extensive use of {{Magitek}}, while also serving as [[AmplifierArtifact amplifiers]] to two of the setting's types of FunctionalMagic and a KryptoniteFactor to [[BlackMagic the third]]. |
| 107 | * ''Literature/ShadowsOfSelf'' has a bioluminescent fungus that grew in the cave system [[PhysicalGod Harmony]] created from various places underground, personally cultivated so that no one who lived there would ever have to live in darkness again. |
| 108 | * ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'': In ''Literature/SplinterOfTheMindsEye'', when Luke and Leia enter a series of caves, they discover it isn't totally dark due to a light-emitting fungus growing on the walls. |
| 109 | * ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' has glass spheres with gemstones in the center infused with the titular Stormlight used as lamps, they provide a steadier light than oil lamps or candles, and can be easily recharged by leaving the spheres out in a [[HostileWeather highstorm]]. They are [[PracticalCurrency also used as money]], and so using them as light sources is seen as a sign of wealth. In [[AllThereInTheManual Arcanum Unbounded]], a scholar theorizes that this is at least partly due to the fact that the planet has a higher oxygen concentration than most worlds. While in modern times the people understand fire enough for it to be safe, in pre-history it was likely too dangerous to be used as a casual light source, leading to the ubiquity of the safer gemstones. |
| 110 | * ''Literature/TalesOfTheMagicLand'': The underground dwellers light their habitats with hundreds of glowing marbles made out of wood and luminescent paint, which they create by soaking Sixpaws' glowing fur in water and turning the residue into a paste. |
| 111 | * Literature/TolkiensLegendarium: |
| 112 | ** ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'': Taken to its LogicalExtreme in the [[CreationMyth earliest years of the world]]. The [[TheMaker Valar]] lit the world first with a pair of massive lamps and then with two [[WorldTree shining trees]], each of which were destroyed in the DivineConflict against [[GodOfEvil Melkor]]. The Sun and Moon were created from the last light of the Trees. |
| 113 | ** ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'': Both the Phial of Galadriel and Gandalf's staff serve this purpose. In addition to their MundaneUtility, their holy light repels creatures of darkness like the Balrog and Shelob. |
| 114 | * ''Literature/TheToughGuideToFantasyland'': This is {{discussed|Trope}}, alongside other fantasy staples, and named "Magelight" or "Magefire". It's an extremely common skill among wizards that allows one to create a small ball of blue or white light hovering above their hand, in the air or at the end of their staff. It serves two purposes: lighting dark places and showing that a character can, indeed, do magic. |
| 115 | * ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'': Channelers can conjure lights over their hands. Thanks to the MarsAndVenusGenderContrast hard-coded into the FunctionalMagic system, women tend to produce spheres of light, while men tend towards handfuls of {{Cold Flame|s}}. |
| 116 | * ''Literature/YoungWizards'': Caves where wizards are likely to have adventures tend to be lit with "fire fungus". The arbitrariness is lessened a bit by implying that the glowing fungus is part of a whole ecology of magical underground life; for one thing, it's what the [[TheDarknessGazesBack little creatures that skitter through the shadows and watch with glowing eyes]] live on. |
| 117 | [[/folder]] |
| 118 | |
| 119 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 120 | * ''Series/DoctorWho'': In "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS5E1TheTombOfTheCybermen The Tomb of the Cybermen]]", the interior of the tomb complex is well-lit despite there being no apparent light sources nor active energy sources to power them. Jamie [[LampshadeHanging asks how this is possible]], and one of the archaeologists replies that [[HandWave they're lit by "alpha meson phosphor"]]. |
| 121 | * In ''Series/GodsOfHonor'' (a 90s Hong Kong series based on ''Literature/FengshenYanyi''), the character Yang Jian gains powers for his ThirdEye, allowing him to shoot EyeBeams. The first time he realizes he ha these powers is when he's stuck in some hills, in the middle of the night; [[MundaneUtility he then uses his powers as an impromptu torchlight]]. The show's narrator throws a lampshade on it: "Your powers are for fighting the forces of evil, not for a light!" |
| 122 | * ''Series/{{Lexx}}'': The titular LivingShip has bioluminescent internal organs. |
| 123 | * ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': The Stranger uses The Dweller's MagicStuff to emanate light -- implied to be the flame of Anor -- and banish her from the Seen World. |
| 124 | [[/folder]] |
| 125 | |
| 126 | [[folder:Music]] |
| 127 | * Music/LindseyStirling's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inb8MMZ-QmA "Song of the Caged Bird"]] video includes this. After unpacking many lightbulbs and candles, all dark, she finds a violin in a crate and begins to play. The candles light up slowly until the room is very bright, though they are dependent on her continuing to make music. At the end, her violin starts to glow too. |
| 128 | [[/folder]] |
| 129 | |
| 130 | [[folder:Puppet Shows]] |
| 131 | * ''Series/FraggleRock'': The reason the caverns are so brightly lit is the Ditzies, creatures that feed off music and turn it into visible light. |
| 132 | [[/folder]] |
| 133 | |
| 134 | [[folder:Religion]] |
| 135 | * ''Literature/TheBookOfMormon'': The Brother of Jared successfully asks the Lord to make a set of stones glow, so that they'll have a safe and continuous light source while crossing the ocean. Since the crossing takes nearly a year, plus whatever prep time remained after making the stones, this may double as an InfiniteFlashlight. |
| 136 | [[/folder]] |
| 137 | |
| 138 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 139 | * ''TabletopGame/AnimaBeyondFantasy'' has the "Lampyridae"[[note]]Latin for "firefly"[[/note]] stones. Once submerged in water, they shine so much that usually are used as street lights. |
| 140 | * ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': |
| 141 | ** Older editions had objects with Continual Light cast on them. Some were shaped in useful ways, such as balls (could be rolled into the darkness) or "frisbees" (could be thrown). Someone even came up with a Continual Light flashlight/lantern (could be opened to let the light out). |
| 142 | ** 3[[superscript:rd]] Edition added Sunrods as a standard item. |
| 143 | ** 3[[superscript:rd]] Edition lets {{Alchem|yIsMagic}}ists distill sunlight into a liquid that glows indefinitely -- and [[WeakenedByTheLight sets undead on fire]]. |
| 144 | ** ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'': Dwarves use jars with [[http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/es/20030108es glowing borer-worms, glowmoss and phosphorescent powders]]. Glowmoss is also a stock light source in ''TabletopGame/{{Spelljammer}}'' (fire is out of question in the Flow). |
| 145 | ** Giant Fire Beetles are noted as having bioluminescent organs that can be harvested and used as light sources for several days before they stop glowing. |
| 146 | ** Psionic characters in 3rd edition could learn My Light, which caused the caster's eyes to give off a cone of illumination like a bullseye lantern for the duration of the power. |
| 147 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Earthdawn}}'' had magical "light crystals". |
| 148 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'': |
| 149 | ** One of the most common elements retained from the former Ages is the use of Essence-based lighting. |
| 150 | ** Many types of Exalted also have the ability to light up their BattleAura to illuminate their surroundings. Some, like Solars and Lunars, have it easier than the others. |
| 151 | ** There's a five-dot hearthstone that illuminates quite a large area with natural sunlight, even if it's pitch dark. This is of course really, really bad for any hungry ghosts in the area. |
| 152 | ** Glowstones are shining rocks that emit light with brightness varying from a torch's to an overcast day's. They emit no heat and shine for years without fuel, and are prized as light sources in areas already subject to intense heat or where fire would be dangerous (such as ships, libraries, or mines where explosive gases may be present). Most glow red or orange; yellow or white ones are uncommon and ones of other colors extremely rare. This, combined with the fact that they can only be mined in very remote areas of the South, leads wealthy people throughout creation to light their homes with colorful glowstones as a display of their wealth. |
| 153 | ** Gethamane's tunnels are kept lit by glowing crystals set into its walls, which glow brightly during the day and dim when night falls on the outside world. |
| 154 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': |
| 155 | ** Ioun torches are small crystals that float around their owners' head with while meeting a Continual Light spell, granting safe, perpetual, hands-free illumination. |
| 156 | ** Luminous oozes are a type of small {{Blob Monster}}s that emit a soft, steady light with which to attract prey in their cavern habitat. They're sometimes captured and kept in glass containers as exotic, if somewhat dangerous, lighting devices. |
| 157 | * ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'' has two Petty Magic spells for this purpose: "Light" causes an object to glow like a torch while the wizard is holding it, while "Marsh Lights" creates floating lights that can move independently. |
| 158 | [[/folder]] |
| 159 | |
| 160 | [[folder:Toys]] |
| 161 | * ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'': |
| 162 | ** Lightstones are used by inhabitants of the Matoran Universe as a light source. Additionally, beings and other things relating to the Light [[ElementalRockPaperScissors element]] suffice, such as the Kanohi Avhokii, the Mask of Light. |
| 163 | ** The [[ExaggeratedTrope Great]] Ruru ([[MaskPower mask of]] night vision) was demonstrated to be this in ''Legends of Metru Nui''. |
| 164 | ** Additionally, there are Lightvines that grow in various locations. |
| 165 | [[/folder]] |
| 166 | |
| 167 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 168 | * ''VideoGame/{{Angband}}'': Besides torches and lanterns, the game has the Phial of Galadriel, the Star of Elendil, and the Arkenstone of Thráin. These unique artifacts are all permanent light sources. |
| 169 | * ''VideoGame/{{Avernum}}'': The caverns are lit by luminescent mold on the ceiling. Depending on who you believe, either [[VainSorceress Erika]] made it and propagated it, or the [[TheGrays Vahnatai]] did. Either way, it's a good thing it's down there--it's also what turns the caves' carbon dioxide into breathable air. |
| 170 | * ''VideoGame/BetrayalAtKrondor'': There are spells and magic artifacts to generate light at nighttime or in dungeons. This is very useful in the Naptha Mines in chapter 4, where lighting a torch will cause the whole place to explode. |
| 171 | * ''VideoGame/BugFables'': It is implied that a type of magic crystal is used for lighting, as most indoor areas such as the Anthill Palace have crystals held from the ceiling in a similar manner as lights. |
| 172 | * ''VideoGame/DarkSouls'': The Sunlight Maggot can be worn as a headpiece, in which case it'll provide a lantern-like lighting effect. |
| 173 | * ''VideoGame/DemonsSouls'': The player always has a magical gem called the "Augite of souls" which glows in the presence of souls. It's just barely bright enough to let you see your hand in front of your face, as it were, and hypothetically avoid falling into pits. The ''Dark Souls'' games also have a glow around the player but don't explain why. |
| 174 | * ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'': Luminite is an Underworld mineral that undergoes changes in the human world and starts [[InfiniteFlashlight emitting white light indefinitely]]. Dante collects a chunk and uses it as a source of light in the dark areas of Mallet Island. |
| 175 | * ''VideoGame/DistortedTravesty'': The third game has a fairy as the cursor, among other things it acts as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwWi8mx7doo a nifty light source.]] |
| 176 | * ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'': In the ''Trespasser'' DLC, the Inquisitor gains the ability to use their Anchor as a light source (in addition to using it to smite enemies, make the party invincible, and fixing holes in reality). |
| 177 | * ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'': |
| 178 | ** The series has several spells which generate temporary sources of light, typically classed in the [[MasterOfIllusion Illusion]] school of magic. Depending on the specific spell and the specific game you are playing, these balls of light may stick to you, float around and follow you, or stick to a surface that you cast them at. The drawback of these spells is that using them will make it easier for enemies to detect you. Related are the Night Eye spells, which provide temporary InnateNightVision and do not have this drawback. |
| 179 | ** ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion'': The Ayleid {{Precursors}} had the lost art of storing StarPower in Welkynd and Varla Stones. By the time of the game, these are irreplaceable {{Emergency Energy Tank}}s for {{Mana}}. The Ayleid used them [[MundaneUtility as lamps]]. |
| 180 | * ''VideoGame/EverQuest'': [[WillOTheWisp Will'o'wisps]] drop light stones and greater light stones, which help adventurers see in the dark. |
| 181 | %% (ZCE) * ''VideoGame/Gift2001'': Magic staff via Yellow Crystal power. |
| 182 | * ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'': Kratos rips off Helios' head to use it as a lantern. It can also reveal hidden chests. |
| 183 | * ''VideoGame/GrimFandango'': You meet a character who's fashioned a lantern out of luminescent coral and attached it to his scuba-suit. You use him to traverse the dark ocean floor by [[spoiler:getting Glottis to pick him up and carry him with you.]] |
| 184 | * ''VideoGame/HalfLife'': |
| 185 | ** ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'': In the Xen segments, there are bio-luminescent stalks which retract and turn off when approached. |
| 186 | ** Xenium crystals are also luminescent, as seen in ''Blue Shift''. |
| 187 | ** ''VideoGame/HalfLife2'' has [[BigCreepyCrawlies Antlion]] larvae, glowing blue (very young) or yellow (older). Antlion Guardians also glow greenish, though this is intended as a warning to their potential prey that the car-sized LightningBruiser about to [[PunchedAcrossTheRoom send you flying]] with a [[UseYourHead headbutt]] has [[HPTo1 neurotoxins]] in its arsenal. |
| 188 | * ''VideoGame/HollowKnight'': Many of the setting's lights are provided by tiny bioluminescent bugs placed in lanterns. Buying one is required to light up dark areas and interact with objects surrounded by pitch-blackness. |
| 189 | * ''VideoGame/{{inFamous}}'': Cole gets around the sewers by generating small amounts of electricity on his arms. |
| 190 | * ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'': |
| 191 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'': |
| 192 | *** In the Korok Forest, there are giant, [[GlowingFlora glowing pea pods]] that act as streetlights. |
| 193 | *** Luminous stone is a type of rock that glows blue-green at night, and which the Zoras make extensive use of in their architecture as built-in illumination. |
| 194 | ** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTearsOfTheKingdom'': The GlowingFlora of Korok Forest and luminous stone both return from the previous game, and they are joined by the Lightroots, giant tree-like objects that can lighten up huge portions of [[BlackoutBasement the Depths]] once they are activated. |
| 195 | * ''VideoGame/LostPig'': All the underground locations, except for the pitch-black room with the strange noise, are conveniently lit by (as the gnome will explain) "mossfuressence", the alchemical distillation of those mysterious glowing fungi and shaggy mosses that always seem to be growing wherever there's a hero lost underground with no torch. |
| 196 | * ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'': Snake can eat luminescent mushrooms to power his NightVisionGoggles and other battery powered items. How this works is unknown. |
| 197 | * ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'' features a variety of unconventional light sources. |
| 198 | ** Glowstone is a rock-like substance that grows in clusters from the ceiling of the Nether -- {{Hell}}, essentially -- and glows brighter than a torch does. If harvested, glowstone blocks can be used as a light source that can be placed directly into walls or floors. |
| 199 | ** The FungusHumongous that grows in the Nether usually contain blocks of "shroomlight" that behave the same way. |
| 200 | ** Soul soil, also found in the nether, produces blue flames when set on fire and can be used to craft soul torches and soul lanterns, which unlike the regular variants burn blue and don't melt snow and ice. |
| 201 | ** While not naturally occurring, there are also "froglights" produced if players can entice a frog into eating a tiny magma cube (a hostile creature that spawns in the Nether... sensing a pattern yet?) |
| 202 | ** There are also sea lanterns, which naturally generate in ocean monuments and can also be crafted from items dropped by dead ocean monument guardians. |
| 203 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Moss}}'', there's an unusual one that represents the player's cursor. It does in fact count as an in-game object, as it illuminates anything close to it. |
| 204 | * ''VideoGame/{{Myst}}'' has fire marbles, glowing rocks that come in different colors. They usually release their energy gradually but can be forced to do it explosively for more potent but unstable results, as Gehn demonstrated in ''Riven''. |
| 205 | * ''VideoGame/NewSuperMarioBrosWii'': World 8-4 is a dark underwater level lit intermittently by Jellybeams, bioluminescent jellyfish that produce lamp-like cones of light from their undersides. |
| 206 | * ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombies'': The Plantern is a nocturnal plant which glows and [[DefogOfWar dispel]] the [[FogOfWar bank of fog]] around it. |
| 207 | * ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'': the move Flash is used outside of battle to light up dark areas. |
| 208 | * Early in ''VideoGame/ShadeWrathOfAngels'', you receive a Holy Sword from the Angel of Faith, one whom glows with powerful blue Holy energy when drawn. The blade's glow comes in handy in several areas where you're cornered by zombies and skeletons, owing to the game's AlwaysNight setting. |
| 209 | * ''VideoGame/SwordOfVermilion'' has the Luminos spell, which lasts until you leave the dungeon you cast it in. |
| 210 | * ''Franchise/TouhouProject'': Wriggle Nightbug's butt emits light. She is a firefly, after all. |
| 211 | * ''VideoGame/UnrealI'' has Tarydium crystals, that glow a soft, watery blue that varies from very clear cyan to duke blue. The former occur naturally in the crystals, making caves and mine shafts some of the game's most well-lit areas, while the Nali like using the latter as wall lamps in the sleeping and bathing chambers of their more elaborate buildings, such as the [[ItsAllUpstairsFromHere Sunspire]]. |
| 212 | * In the ''VideoGame/{{Utawarerumono}}'' series it is shown that characters use a kind of cubical stone kept in small bowls as a source of light. How it exactly works isn't clear, but from what can be gleaned it appears that a liquid of some kind is poured into the bowl and the stone then starts glowing as it reacts with it, creating light. |
| 213 | * ''VideoGame/{{Valheim}}'': One of the items sold by Haldor, if you can find him, is a Dverger circlet with a crystal attached to the front, that works like a headlamp. [[InfiniteFlashlight It never needs an energy refill of any kind]]. |
| 214 | * In ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'', the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Nopon]] use the pollen orbs they manufacture in their village as both light sources and food (and in the case of red ones, a group sells them as [[BreadEggsMilkSquick a highly addictive drug]]). |
| 215 | [[/folder]] |
| 216 | |
| 217 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 218 | * ''Webcomic/EarsForElves'': When Tanna enters the temple, it's dark once she reaches the main room. However, [[http://www.earsforelves.com/archives/612 she touches an orb]] over a glowing basin, and it and similar orbs light up the whole chamber with mystical effects. |
| 219 | * ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'': Played with. A character asks why the Deepdown doesn't have phosphorescent crystals or fungi, and is told they were all sold. Later phosphorescent fungi are seen in the caverns beneath Castle Heterodyne and Paris. |
| 220 | * ''Webcomic/KeychainOfCreation'': PlayedForLaughs and MundaneUtility -- Marena turns on her BattleAura rather than bother with a torch while DungeonCrawling. |
| 221 | -->'''Secret:''' Dammit, what's the point of going ahead if you don't follow my advice!? How are we going to see all these traps and hungry ghosts, then!? ''[*ping*]'' Oh. Right. |
| 222 | * ''Webcomic/TheMansionOfE'': Denizens of the Basement breed and use [[http://mansionofe.comicgenesis.com/d/20040914.html Glowing Balls of Light]], bulb-light structures which hang from the ceilings. |
| 223 | * In ''Webcomic/RoomLand'', an ''Webcomic/MSPaintAdventures Forum Adventure'', the cave Mary-Beth lives in is lit up by some kind of glowing plant. |
| 224 | * In ''Webcomic/ThreePanelSoul'', a man wins Lucifer's soul in a game. He mainly uses it as a lantern. |
| 225 | * ''Webcomic/TwoKinds'': Eric has a spell that converts {{Mana}} into light. |
| 226 | * ''Webcomic/{{Unsounded}}'' gives these a MundaneSolution. Since the FunctionalMagic system of Pymary can only manipulate existing Aspects of reality, luminous [[http://www.casualvillain.com/Unsounded/comic/ch04/ch04_42.html starflies]] are juiced and sold to spellcasters so they have a handy source of Light Aspect to draw on. |
| 227 | [[/folder]] |
| 228 | |
| 229 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 230 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Mixels}}'': The [[ShockAndAwe Electroids]], being electric-based in their abilities, are able to use the purplish-blue electricity-holding parts of their bodies as flashlights. |
| 231 | * ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': |
| 232 | ** The ability to make their horn tips glow is a basic spell that almost all unicorns seem capable of, alongside telekinesis. It's easy enough that even a somewhat dim-witted foal like Snails can cast it (although it takes him some effort). Besides using this as a built-in flashlight of sorts, the light can be directed into a narrow beam that may or not project an image, as shown by Rarity, Twilight and a number of unicorn Royal Guards on various occasions. Regular flashlights also exist, but it's not said whether they're magic-based or electric. |
| 233 | ** {{Glowing gem}}s and lamps filled with fireflies are sometimes used in lieu of electrical lamps. |
| 234 | ** In "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E26ToWhereAndBackAgainPart2 To Where and Back Again]]", the inside of the changelings' hive is lit by seemingly organic, bio-luminescent green pods hanging like fruit from vine-like structures growing on its ceilings. Of course, some of those pods are actually cocoons that Chrysalis' prisoners are contained in. |
| 235 | * The very first spell that Luz learns to perform in ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'' creates floating orbs of light, which is rather appropriate given that her name literally means "light". |
| 236 | * ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': Gems are sapient gemstones that construct their humanoid bodies out of HardLight. Due to that, they can use their gemstones as flashlights. |
| 237 | * In more than one ''WesternAnimation/{{Teen Titans|2003}}'' episode, Starfire would use her Starbolts as an impromptu torchlight when navigating through dark environments. |
| 238 | [[/folder]] |
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