# Ward Lantern

[The building book](https://cozycity.net/help/buildings/ward-lantern)

A tended circle of light at the edge of the village.

The Ward Lantern is a protection building that needs a keeper and lantern essence. It also participates in the rooted ward network. Check the game’s coverage and connection indicators to see what is protected right now.

![Ward Lantern illustration from the game’s build menu](https://cozycity.net/web/img/selector/D03T.webp)

## At a glance

- Available: Village level 4
- Materials: 5 lantern essence + 8 stone
- Plot: 2 × 2 m
- Builder work: 45 sec
- Workplace: 1 keeper
- Fuel: 1 lantern essence / 5 min
- Base protection reach: 12 m
- Hit points: 220

Base tier. Builder work excludes walking and waiting; production rates apply while working. The in-game preview shows your exact current quote.

## Make room for it.

Keep the entrance reachable and look at both protection coverage and the link back toward the Hearth. Nearby Path Lanterns can help extend the rooted network.

## Improvements & appearance.

Use Improve in the building details to raise its tier, up to tier 3. Read the quoted materials and work time before confirming. The plot stays the same. Style choices change its appearance without changing the footprint or gameplay.

## If something seems stuck.

If a ward is inactive, check its keeper, fuel, current household conditions and connection. A lantern’s visual glow is not a substitute for the protection information in its details.

## Good neighbours.

- [Path Lantern](https://cozycity.net/help/buildings/path-lantern.md)
- [Lantern Hearth](https://cozycity.net/help/buildings/lantern-hearth.md)
- [Moonwell](https://cozycity.net/help/buildings/moonwell.md)

[Automatic pathways](https://cozycity.net/help#paths) · [Rivers & fishing](https://cozycity.net/help/rivers)