The region of Dark Lake, a volcanic crater lake north of Rhydin City, serves as the home of the Alysia Skye, Baroness of Spire, sometimes called the Witch of the Dark Lake.
Location within Rhydin
The Dark Lake is about two hours north of Rhydin City. Branching off the main North Road, the eastern road through the Barony of Spire leads eventually to the Baroness? estates built on the edge of the region?s crater lake. The main avenue branches into several paths about the grounds, leading to the manor house, gardens, mage tower, stables, and the Dark Lake itself.
The Dark Lake
While much of the surrounding forest consists of oaks and evergreens, birch trees and willows drape the path which leads to the Dark Lake. Mirroring that path is a winding, frog-infested creek. The frogs are vocal and during late summer, form trios to sing harmonies loudly in thirds.
The shore of the lake itself is black sand, and the water, though pristine and crystal clear, appears black. There are some obsidian and shale outcroppings in places along the shore. Steam rises year round from a small island with mildly active geothermal springs near the center of the lake. There is a great concentration of salamanders, undines, and sylphs in the region.
Dark Lake Manor
Overlooking the calm waters of the lake, Dark Lake Manor is built from an unusually smooth, dark gray stone that is lambent by moonlight and glitters in sunlight. Terraced steps lead down from the manor through the gardens to the lakeshore.
The manor exterior has two main entrances. The front entrance is double doors of heavy dire oak, inlaid with a serpentine design of crimsor, a lustrous red-gold highly valued in Rhilshen. The back entrance is two wide doors of glass, set into a wall of immense windows which overlook the lawn. There are other entrances not immediately apparent. Most of the chambers of the three story building have balconies with grouchy gargoyles.
There is a Shadow Gate contained somewhere within the Manor, permitting nearly instantaneous travel between Rhy'Din and the Realm of Rhilshen.
The Mage Tower
Higher than the canopy, and built from the same stone as the Manor, the circular Tower has windows at each compass point, offering views of Rhy'Din City to the south and the towers and peaks of Mount Yasuo to the north.
The Gardens
The manor, mage tower, stables, and other outbuildings are surrounded first by manicured green lawns, and more remotely, verdant gardens in primarily formal styles. Most of them are planted with fragrant, night-blooming greenery that seems to burn with blue fire in moonlight. Secluded back in the forest is a shrine to a Dragon God, the focal point of a rock garden made from stones originating in Rhilshen. The gardens are maintained in evening hours by a pair of zombies who did not let death get in the way of their green thumbs. If anything, their thumbs are greener now.
Traveler's Notes
There are usually mage-guards with hellhounds or shadow-panthers patrolling the grounds of the Dark Lake. The guards won't challenge those who are identified and expected, but will make their presence known. Any uninvited guests who make it past the wards and guardians with hostile intent will have an interesting time of things.
Location within Rhydin
The Dark Lake is about two hours north of Rhydin City. Branching off the main North Road, the eastern road through the Barony of Spire leads eventually to the Baroness? estates built on the edge of the region?s crater lake. The main avenue branches into several paths about the grounds, leading to the manor house, gardens, mage tower, stables, and the Dark Lake itself.
The Dark Lake
While much of the surrounding forest consists of oaks and evergreens, birch trees and willows drape the path which leads to the Dark Lake. Mirroring that path is a winding, frog-infested creek. The frogs are vocal and during late summer, form trios to sing harmonies loudly in thirds.
The shore of the lake itself is black sand, and the water, though pristine and crystal clear, appears black. There are some obsidian and shale outcroppings in places along the shore. Steam rises year round from a small island with mildly active geothermal springs near the center of the lake. There is a great concentration of salamanders, undines, and sylphs in the region.
Dark Lake Manor
Overlooking the calm waters of the lake, Dark Lake Manor is built from an unusually smooth, dark gray stone that is lambent by moonlight and glitters in sunlight. Terraced steps lead down from the manor through the gardens to the lakeshore.
The manor exterior has two main entrances. The front entrance is double doors of heavy dire oak, inlaid with a serpentine design of crimsor, a lustrous red-gold highly valued in Rhilshen. The back entrance is two wide doors of glass, set into a wall of immense windows which overlook the lawn. There are other entrances not immediately apparent. Most of the chambers of the three story building have balconies with grouchy gargoyles.
There is a Shadow Gate contained somewhere within the Manor, permitting nearly instantaneous travel between Rhy'Din and the Realm of Rhilshen.
The Mage Tower
Higher than the canopy, and built from the same stone as the Manor, the circular Tower has windows at each compass point, offering views of Rhy'Din City to the south and the towers and peaks of Mount Yasuo to the north.
The Gardens
The manor, mage tower, stables, and other outbuildings are surrounded first by manicured green lawns, and more remotely, verdant gardens in primarily formal styles. Most of them are planted with fragrant, night-blooming greenery that seems to burn with blue fire in moonlight. Secluded back in the forest is a shrine to a Dragon God, the focal point of a rock garden made from stones originating in Rhilshen. The gardens are maintained in evening hours by a pair of zombies who did not let death get in the way of their green thumbs. If anything, their thumbs are greener now.
Traveler's Notes
There are usually mage-guards with hellhounds or shadow-panthers patrolling the grounds of the Dark Lake. The guards won't challenge those who are identified and expected, but will make their presence known. Any uninvited guests who make it past the wards and guardians with hostile intent will have an interesting time of things.