Beacon of Souls is an item found within the Haunted Mansion video-game.
History[]
The Beacon was created by the members of the Brotherhood of the Soul. Its purpose was to ensnare and purify evil spirits for guidance to the Afterlife. However, if the Beacon were to fall into the wrong hands, it could cause harm to the good spirits and cast them into the fiery Afterdeath. The Brotherhood vowed to protect the Beacon - as well as the balance of the Spirit Realms - from Atticus Thorn and the followers of the Order of Shadows. In secret, the Beacon was passed down throughout Europe, just out of Thorn's grasp. But as time went on, the followers of the Brotherhood perished, one by one. During this time, Thorn took steps to replenish his cult and continue the attempt to find the Beacon's whereabouts. The Beacon eventually found its way to the New World, in the bayous of Louisiana.
Video game events[]
After Zeke is lured to the Mansion on October 17, 1879, Madame Leota briefs him of the Mansion's history and gifts Zeke with the Beacon, teacheing him about his functions, adding that he needs to acquire the six Soul Gems in order to achieve its full potential.
During Zeke's final encounter with Thorn, the latter attempts to destroy the Beacon and re-corrupt the now-purified spirits. This forces Zeke to use Madame Leota's crystal ball and with her and the combined forces of the purified spirits, Zeke successfully defeats Thorn.
Description[]
The Beacon of Souls is an ancient, lantern-like object. A source of light and power, this ancient artifact can harness the energy of souls and is powered by six Soul Gems. With full power, the beacon can vanquish evil and absorb the souls of the living and the dead.
Due to its great power, the Beacon is desired by the evil Order of Shadows but remains protected by their rogue-splinter faction, the Brotherhood of Souls within the Haunted Mansion.
In the video-game, it goes through the ownership of Madame Leota to the game's protagonist, Ezekiel Holloway in an effort to destroy the Order and its villainous leader, Atticus Thorn. It functions as the main weapon the player has in the game.
Functions[]
The Beacon is capable of purifying shriveled souls by capturing them with a green beam of light, and also firing small projectiles of light which grow in power with each Gem discovered:
- White: Fires standard shots, but also fires Rapid Shots.
- Purple: Power Shots which can take out stronger enemies.
- Orange: Ultra Shots which wipe out groups of enemies.
- Yellow: Upgraded Rapid Shots. Fires in three directions.
- Blue: Upgraded Power Shots. Affects enemy groups.
- Red: Upgraded Ultra Shots. Spreads damage between enemies.
When Zeke creatively places Leota's ball into the Beacon in order to power it, the 999 souls and Leota combined gives the lamp the ability to shoot a fast stream of green light projectiles.
Trivia[]
- The Beacon is a more arcane reimagining of the lantern held by the Caretaker in the mainstream attractions.
- In the Vault of Shadows level, the green light projectiles resemble malformed skulls, which may represent the souls being nearly purified.