[NTJedi]

Amhazair said:
I never used a lightless lantern in my SP games (too much micro ), but I'm currently in a position to produce them in a multiplayer game with Ulm, and I'm looking for some information on wether they're worth it.

I would say no because horror marks makes you vunerable to other type of attacks besides just horrors if spells are casted. My personal opinion is they should have left a curse mark on the wielder instead of the dreaded horror mark.

Amhazair said:
First off, they cost 5 fire gems, which with master smiths and dwarven hammers becoms the ridiculously low amount of only 2 fire gems (and one mage-turn) for a 6-point reasearch bonus.

But then the problems start: according to the manual the lantern gives a 'slight chance' of a horror mark. Which doesn't say too much. What is a 'slight chance'? 1%/turn? 10%? 25%?

Then, once a mage is horror-marked, what are the chances of a horror showing up? (I never actually got to see a horror in any of the games I've played yet but then again I only just started to MP, and never used any spell or item dealing with horrors myself ) Can you expect one to show up in the next couple of turns, or is it quite possible not to be attacked for longer periods of time?

I believe only the developers know the answers to these questions and I believe they won't reveal the details because they want to leave mystery in the game. At least that was the original reason for not providing details on items from Dominions_2.
The only thing we do know is that horror marks can stack(up to 14 I believe) and the more horror marks which exist the more likely the individual will be attacked. Details only known by the developer(s).

Amhazair said:
Then, if you are attacked, are there any ways to actually survive the attack? (It would most likely be Master Smiths facing the horrors, I have no brilliant survival ideas - not efficient ones at least) Would scripting an astral mage to cast returning save his life? (I have access to a couple of astral mages, but they're more expensive and less plentiful than my smiths - and if the horrors attack often this could quickly start to drain me out of astral pearls)

The master smiths can cast petrify, be given blood slaves and setup with undead or lifeless guards to increase his surival.
Having an astral mage cast returning will save his life from horror attacks or other assassin attacks.

I must say these lanterns would be more worthwhile if it cursed the unit instead of horror marking them.