Those lanterns and torches scattered across the world of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales are not just decoration. They block pathways, and you cannot interact with a single one until you meet a very specific companion. The good news is that once you know what you're doing, the whole process is straightforward. Here's exactly how to get there.
Why can't you light lanterns yet?
The short answer: you haven't met Faie. She's a fairy companion who joins Elliot after a boss fight in the Age of Reconstruction, and her Ignite ability is the only way to light lanterns and torches in the game. Until that moment, those glowing objects are completely inert.
How to unlock Faie and the Ignite ability
Here's the sequence of events that leads you to Faie and her fire-based power:
Faie joins after the boss fight
Step 1: Progress through the Age of Reconstruction
Keep pushing through the main campaign objectives. This age also involves finding and unlocking Bombs, so you'll be dealing with a few new mechanics at once. Don't skip side areas entirely, but the main path is what triggers the key story beat.
Step 2: Lose the boss fight
You will face a boss who defeats Elliot. This is not a fail state. When Elliot regains consciousness, Faie appears at his side as a permanent companion. The loss is scripted, so don't panic when it happens.
Step 3: Head back to Littlehope via Westerea
Your next objective sends you back to the town of Littlehope, which is a considerable trek. Follow the main path from Westerea onward and use the available shortcuts. The route eventually leads you south of the swamps.
Step 4: Complete the Shrine of the Mystic - Ignite
The shrine has three rooms, each with a specific task. Complete all three to lock in the Ignite ability for good.
Three rooms, one ability unlock
What are the three shrine room challenges?
Each room tests a slightly different application of Faie's flame:
What does Ignite actually do beyond lighting lanterns?
Once you have Ignite, it opens up more than just blocked pathways. Here's what the ability does across different situations:
- Lights lanterns and torches to open new routes
- Inflicts the burning debuff on enemies Faie flies through while active
- Counters frozen targets with extra effectiveness
- Triggers Bomb explosions when used near placed Bombs
That last point pairs well with the Bomb mechanics you picked up earlier in the Age of Reconstruction. After testing Ignite against frozen enemies, the damage payoff is noticeably higher than against standard targets, making it worth activating before engaging groups near ice-based hazards.
Are there more shrines to find?
Yes, and they're worth hunting down. Other Shrines of the Mystic appear throughout the game and grant Elliot and Faie additional abilities, including a speed boost, a vacuum pull effect, and teleportation. More advanced shrines upgrade abilities you've already unlocked, so revisiting earlier areas with new powers in hand is part of the design.
Faie's abilities also feed into a set of minigames accessible from the menu. These minigames track your high scores and reward you with records for strong performances, so they're worth revisiting as your skill with each ability improves.
What should you do after unlocking Ignite?
With Ignite in hand, a few immediate priorities open up:
- Backtrack through earlier areas to light any lanterns you passed. Some of these open shortcuts or lead to collectibles.
- Start farming Magicite Fragments to upgrade your gear.
- Keep an eye out for the next Shrine of the Mystic as you continue toward Littlehope.
For everything else the game throws at you, the full The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales guides collection covers bosses, collectibles, weapons, and more across all four ages.