Make pressure fair with visible costs
Compare The Lantern at Low Tide's rope rescue, illuminated stair and three-lamp signal. See how spending one lamp changes the ferry's available return plan.
Put the tide and supplies where everyone can see them
In The Lantern at Low Tide, the 90-minute route begins with six working tide windows; the 120-minute route has eight. Both begin with one dry rope and three covered shore lamps. These are story resources, separate from the real session timer. Discussion and movement do not spend tide windows. Oren's log establishes that the lamp failed before Mira closed the gate, so opening the large wheel is not a repair plan. Start by choosing how to bring the four people off the ledge.
Run one complete rescue-and-repair calculation
At the Fuse workshop, collect Tess's tray for one tide window: it supplies the matching fuse and one extra rope. At the Crew dock, trace both rescue routes. Reach the Tide-gate ledge, open the small side channel for one window, then spend another window and one rope bringing the crew across. With the crew safe, the Lantern housing repair costs one final window. This complete plan uses four of the short route's six windows and leaves one rope. Tell the table those costs before it commits.
Show how a lamp changes the next decision
The high service stair offers a different rescue. An escort from the ledge costs two windows without a rope. Keeping all three lamps lets Oren later raise the complete shore-return signal at the quay; the beacon remains a morning repair. Alternatively, hang one shore lamp at the stair's turn, then guide the crew to that light for one window. The faster escort leaves only two shore lamps, so the three-lamp return signal is no longer affordable. A collected fuse still makes beacon repair possible. Have the players physically move the lamp token.
Close honestly when the work windows run out
At one remaining tide window, describe the wet lower step and count the resources still available. The event does not silently replenish ropes or force an unsafe crossing. A blocked dock footway can be bypassed through the high stair. If the planned work cannot continue, call the harbor reserve team: it brings the crew to shelter while Oren holds the ferry offshore. This ending saves the people but delays the passengers and leaves the lantern unfinished. Ask who organizes blankets now and the repair tomorrow.