Urwaelin
Pronunciation: ur-WAY-lin
Map Index: F4
Location: Situated in a deep depression that lies between the Kraguk and Kragnuk Mountains and the Goraukoros Range in south central Beorlan
Geography: The great lake of Urwaelin, encircled by mountains, lies within the great Okkthruk Depression. The lake captivates with its long expanse of peaceful looking yet treacherous water. Spanning nearly 60 miles in length and 20 miles in width, this breathtaking lake, the largest in the world, boasts a haunting beauty despite its desolate nature.
Surrounded by great salt flats that run for many miles from the lake, these thick deposits of salt surround much of the lake. Urwaelin Lake and the surrounding Urwaelin Valley harbors an eerie tranquility. Its waters, with no outlet to the sea remain stagnant yet team with life. The waters of the lake with salinity approximately equal to that of the sea, provides no sustenance for thirsty travelers. Navigating these saline waters is perilous; hidden hazards lurk beneath the surface, ready to ensnare the unwary.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The arid subtropical climate produces sweltering heat in the summer months and little rainfall. What rain that does fall occurs mainly in the moderately hot winter months when a few small rainstorms drop much needed precipitation. In winter, rainfall from the nearby mountains flows downward and into the lake during the winter months. As soon as the mountain rains stop, these streams quickly dry up.
Wildlife: Situated in a great basin with no outlet to the sea, the lake contains much aquatic life, despite its saline nature. Small shrimp fill the lake and provide abundant food for small minnows. These in turn provide food for a variety of fish, some of which grow quite large. Shore birds adapted to the briny nature of the lake water prey on fish, while large condors circle overhead. Little wildlife lives on the surrounding salt flats. The lack of plant life and a lack of fresh drinking water have made this area hostile to life.
Humanoids: The only humanoids to live here year-round are the insect-like Trox. These humaniods dig underground burrows for shelter.
The goblins of Gok Grusmak often visit here to collect salt and to catch fish with their nets in areas of shallow water. The Turoch also make brief sojourns into the lakeside area but never stay for very long due to a lack of drinking water.
Monsters: The vicinity of the lake presents presents great danger due to the presense of a myriad of aberrations and beasts, along with the undead.
Legends of a great long necked aquatic monster can be heard far from the shores of Urwaelin. The goblins claim that it spends most of its time underwater and only appears when hungry. It has a large mouth filled with razor sharp teeth and swims swiftly with great fins. It regularly snatches goblins who stray too far into the water and swallows them whole.
The east side of the lake harbors ancient ruins near the foot of the Goraukoros Range. Travelers claim that terrible undead creatures haunt this area, attacking all who dare enter the remains of their old city.
History: In prior ages, the lake was several times larger than what exists today and legends say the lake waters contained far less salt. The valley harbored much wildlife and a city sat on the eastern shores of the lake. Then out of nowhere the Great Cataclysm devastated the land. Great earthquakes destroyed the city while terrible chaos storms forever corrupted the survivors. The great disruption of the cataclysm also changed weather patterns and the climate subsequently got much drier. This caused lake levels to drop as the water inflowing into the lake did not match what evaporated. This drastic change in lake level exposed the great salt flats that now surround the lake to appear. With less water, the lake began to get saltier until it was no longer drinkable.
Today: The great salt flats around the lake present an environment hostile to life. While somewhat scenic, few visit due to the potential danger of encountering the lake monster and other evil denizens, including the undead.
Map Index: F4
Location: Situated in a deep depression that lies between the Kraguk and Kragnuk Mountains and the Goraukoros Range in south central Beorlan
Geography: The great lake of Urwaelin, encircled by mountains, lies within the great Okkthruk Depression. The lake captivates with its long expanse of peaceful looking yet treacherous water. Spanning nearly 60 miles in length and 20 miles in width, this breathtaking lake, the largest in the world, boasts a haunting beauty despite its desolate nature.
Surrounded by great salt flats that run for many miles from the lake, these thick deposits of salt surround much of the lake. Urwaelin Lake and the surrounding Urwaelin Valley harbors an eerie tranquility. Its waters, with no outlet to the sea remain stagnant yet team with life. The waters of the lake with salinity approximately equal to that of the sea, provides no sustenance for thirsty travelers. Navigating these saline waters is perilous; hidden hazards lurk beneath the surface, ready to ensnare the unwary.
Primary Population: None
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The arid subtropical climate produces sweltering heat in the summer months and little rainfall. What rain that does fall occurs mainly in the moderately hot winter months when a few small rainstorms drop much needed precipitation. In winter, rainfall from the nearby mountains flows downward and into the lake during the winter months. As soon as the mountain rains stop, these streams quickly dry up.
Wildlife: Situated in a great basin with no outlet to the sea, the lake contains much aquatic life, despite its saline nature. Small shrimp fill the lake and provide abundant food for small minnows. These in turn provide food for a variety of fish, some of which grow quite large. Shore birds adapted to the briny nature of the lake water prey on fish, while large condors circle overhead. Little wildlife lives on the surrounding salt flats. The lack of plant life and a lack of fresh drinking water have made this area hostile to life.
Humanoids: The only humanoids to live here year-round are the insect-like Trox. These humaniods dig underground burrows for shelter.
The goblins of Gok Grusmak often visit here to collect salt and to catch fish with their nets in areas of shallow water. The Turoch also make brief sojourns into the lakeside area but never stay for very long due to a lack of drinking water.
Monsters: The vicinity of the lake presents presents great danger due to the presense of a myriad of aberrations and beasts, along with the undead.
Legends of a great long necked aquatic monster can be heard far from the shores of Urwaelin. The goblins claim that it spends most of its time underwater and only appears when hungry. It has a large mouth filled with razor sharp teeth and swims swiftly with great fins. It regularly snatches goblins who stray too far into the water and swallows them whole.
The east side of the lake harbors ancient ruins near the foot of the Goraukoros Range. Travelers claim that terrible undead creatures haunt this area, attacking all who dare enter the remains of their old city.
History: In prior ages, the lake was several times larger than what exists today and legends say the lake waters contained far less salt. The valley harbored much wildlife and a city sat on the eastern shores of the lake. Then out of nowhere the Great Cataclysm devastated the land. Great earthquakes destroyed the city while terrible chaos storms forever corrupted the survivors. The great disruption of the cataclysm also changed weather patterns and the climate subsequently got much drier. This caused lake levels to drop as the water inflowing into the lake did not match what evaporated. This drastic change in lake level exposed the great salt flats that now surround the lake to appear. With less water, the lake began to get saltier until it was no longer drinkable.
Today: The great salt flats around the lake present an environment hostile to life. While somewhat scenic, few visit due to the potential danger of encountering the lake monster and other evil denizens, including the undead.