Sonaral Sea
The Sonaral sea is in fact, despite its common name, a large and deep lake which is located just to the south-east of central Enaskia. Being the main source of water for the Nyos river, it holds a lot of importance for much of the southern Enaskia, especialy for the Kingdom of Darnia.
Geography
One Sea, two lakes
Located at about 2.5 km in altitude, the Sonaral sea is technicaly a high altitude lake. It is connected to the north to Lake Mone. A water channel, no more than 50 metres at its narrowest, links the two lakes and a stone bridge was built at that location. While Lake Mone is big and relatively deep compared to other lakes on the continent, it pales in comparaison to Sonaral, which is estimated to contain at least 10 times its amount of water. To the south, lake Coskar is sometimes connected to the Sonaral sea, especialy during spring, as the land between the two is low lying. If fact, many scholars estimate that uf it wasn't for the semi-regular inflows from the Sonaral sea, Lake Coskar would have long since dried up.Surounding region
All three lakes are located in a region called Kherokomia, which is a plateau nearly completly surounded by hills and mountains. To the North, the Kheros mountains provide the sea with most of its water, as its large snowpacks melt during spring. To the East, the Tarakom mountains rise to form a nearly unpenetrable wall that separates Kherokomia from the continent's east coast. However, the Totoa pass allows relatively easy passage between the two. Finaly, the Lasris hills form a gentle, dry, slope separating the region from the Great Darnian desert to its south-west.Ecosystem Cycles
The Sonaral Sea and its two sister lakes go through many changes in a year. Starting in winter, the water levels in all three is at its lowest. However, starting in March, rain and snow melt from the Tarakom and especialy the Kheros mountains descend towards the many rivers that feed into the Sonaral sea and lake Mone. By may, both are full to the brim and the Nyos river swells to its highest flow down to the Darnian sea. A few times every decade, the sonaral sea overflows into lake coskar, greatly increased it's size and lowering its salinity, making the water drinking in the northern half.
Climate
The climate around the Sonaral Sea is very seasonal, especialy along the northern shores. There, the soil is fertile and forested, while the south is more dry and covered in only small bushes and grass. From late spring to early autumn is the dry season, while from late autumn to early spring is the wet season.
Natural Resources
The Lasris hills used to contain vast amounts of gold. However, many of its most profitable mines have since shut down. A few remain, where gold, but also other metals are extracted. These are a large source of revenue for both the Kingdom of Darnia, and the Kingdom of Kherokomia. For Kherokomia, the Sea provides ample fisheries, which are vital to feed the kingdom's sizable population. Gold can also be found in the mountain streams leading to the sea and Lake Mone.
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