Lake Karbrost

Lake Karbrost is a freshwater lake primarily located in Danzerg and Kyval, with the northeast shore forming the border of Irvinia. It is the largest lake in the continent of Selonia. Lake Karbrost is the oldest of the Selonian Great Lakes and is incredibly deep, with rumors that ancient creatures inhabit its depth.

## Geography

Lake Karbrost is incredibly large. Traversing by boat from north to south typically takes one-two days if the winds are fair. Traversing east to west will typically take anywhere from a few hours in the far south to half a day in the north.

The water of Lake Karbrost is incredibly clean and clear, owing to its massive size and large mineral deposits. It is also very cold, in the winter much of the lake freezes over and during the summer it rarely exceeds temperatures of 60 degrees.

## Fauna and Flora

Lake Karbrost is rich in biodiversity. It hosts thousands of species of fish, mammals, reptiles, and plants.

### Flora

The area around Lake Karbrost is heavily forested with the exception of human settlements. The forests around the lake are primarily composed of conifers including spruce, pine and fir trees as well as numerous flowering plants and shrubs. Wild berries grow in abundance around the lake, some of which are edible or medicinal while others are extremely toxic such as the the Fiore Berry.

The lake itself is dominated by seasonal blooms of algae and duckweed, while the lake floor has numerous freshwater sea grasses and freshwater seaweeds.

### Fauna

Lake Karbrost boasts numerous species of animals, some of which are widespread throughout the region while others are unique to the Selonian Great Lakes.

#### Mammals

Mammals are numerous in the Lake Karbrost region. The Freshwater Seal is the most iconic of these animals. The lake also boasts Giant Otters, Water Weasels, and Muskrats. Around the lake are various species of deer and mountain goats, as well as rabbits, squirrels, numerous bear species, northern ground sloths, mountain tigers, and wildcats.

#### Fish

There are hundreds of species of fish in Lake Karbrost and the surrounding waterways, the most numerous being freshwater salmon, sturgeon, base, pike, and trout. In the deeper zones there are more mysterious fish that are rumored to glow in the dark.

#### Reptiles

Lake Karbrost has many unique reptiles including the Giant Karbrost Turtle, the Freshwater Monitor, and numerous species of (mainly non-poisonous) snakes. The most fearsome of these reptiles however is the infamous Lachia Basilisk, which hunts in the deep regions of the lake and can grow up to 50 feet long.

#### Birds

Numerous birds live around the lake including but not limited to Herons, Cranes, Gulls, Ducks, Swans, and Water Sparrows. The lake also boasts large nesting sights for Arctic Eagles in the spring time.

Amphibians

The Giant Karbrost Newt is the largest known amphibian in the world. When full grown it measures over 12 feet long and several hundred pounds. Other amphibians include numerous frog and toad species, and the common salamander.

#### Insects/Other Invertebrates

Insects are common around the lake including fishflies, common flies, fireflies, and various isopods. The Giant Freshwater Isopod (a favorite food of the Giant Karbrost Newt) can grow up to two feet long and is abundant in the shallow regions as bottom feeders. Numerous sea worms live under the lake floor as well.

#### Other Animals

There are rumors of large squids in the depths of the lake though this has never been confirmed. It is known that something will occasionally hunt the Lachia Basilisks, which is considered the top predator in the lake.

## History

For much of Elven History, Lake Karbrost and the other Selonian Great Lakes were seen as the homeland of the Wood Elves. The plentiful food and freshwater the lakes provided allowed the Wood Elves to thrive for thousands of years.

The arrival of Humans and Dwarves to the area (~20,000 BC) brought deforestation and urbanization along parts of the lake. Humans have established trade networks throughout much of the lake that run from late spring to early fall by boat and then travel over ice during the winter.

In the modern age, very few Wood Elves remain on the Danzergian side of the lake. Humans dominate the southern and western shore of Lake Karbrost, with the Danzergian capital city of Jaggen being located on the very southern point along the mouth of the Yulea River

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