Blackwater Lake

The Hillfolk have taboos about it and will not say why. Blackwater Lake lies in the western Steplands, in the shadow of the Huffel Peaks — a large, placid lake ringed by a low escarpment, with a wide rocky shore and no river flowing out. The Aberzh River flows in from the west. The water is dark, impossibly still, always cold, and never freezes.

This was once great Dulenn, city of the Stone Lords — until their servants broke the seals over the Mouth of Daagon, the entity Within surged up, and the city sank. Barrow Builders fought over the ruins that remained. The water drank their blood. Now the outer escarpment holds tilting ruins and barrow mounds; the shore is thick with ancient masonry.

Use Blackwater Lake when treasure, history, and warning signs all point to the same place. It should feel known enough for travelers to fear and dangerous enough that fear is justified.

• Large placid lake in the west of the Steplands
• Dark, deep, very still water
• Aberzh River flows in; no rivers or streams flow out