Lake Blackwaves
Lake Blackwaves is the second largest body of water in the continent of Barathorn and is one of three natural bodies of water in the historic Ruby Highway. Lying in southeastern Barathorn, Lake Blackwaves separates Firche from Dewyddair. The lake's deep waters are thought to be its namesake as the surface appears a very dark blue and the waters are cold through most of the year. In the winter, most of the surface freezes, except for a small portion on the south end due to the ameliorating temperature of the nearby sea. The Pardomine Forest on the lake's eastern shore is a favorite with tourists and lake-goers alike.
Ruby Highway
Lake Blackwaves is the first segment of voyaging in the Ruby Highway. In historic times, it was infamous for its lake pirates and crusty tavern-keepers along the shore. Today, the lake is regularly patrolled by ships from Elmundel and Bamarra with occasional patrols from Firche and the Skymark. The lake's waterborne traffic has been consistently high since the construction of the Elmundel Canal and the Bamarra Canal in the twenty seventh century which enabled heavy sea-barges access to the Ruby Highway.
Specifications
The lake is ( or 386.4 mi) at its greatest length. At its widest extent, the lake is nearly 255 ddwmir (167.37 km or 104 mi) wide. The average elevation of the surface is 13.7 gnödva (17.536 m or 57.53 feet) above sea level. The lake's greatest depth is 292.42 ddwmir (374.3 meters or 1228 feet).
Folklore
The lake is nearly as famous as the Dragon Sea to the northwest, for its legends about sailors and passengers who have drowned or nearly escaped drowning due to its supernatural spirits and moody divinities. Historically, the shores of the lake have been heavily forested and many rocky promontories edge the coast of the lake, especially on its northern shores. Tales about the Pardomine Forest and pirates are nearly as common as the supernatural inhabitants of its waters. The tutelary divinity of the lake is Garrhachwaig, described by poets and bards as an enormous aquatic troll with black, stringy hair. He is portrayed as monstrous and fickle to those who offend him, but kindly and protecting to those who give offerings at coastal shrines. Lake Blackwaves was often called Garrhachwaig's Sea in ancient times. In other tales, the lake's underwater inhabitants, the Swaichtu, are an elven or merfolk race who demand tribute or dowries for their daughters. The lake's many inlets harbored pirates and corsairs, further contributing to its reputation.
See Also
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