The Warm Waterfall

Written by NoMoreFaith

As you approach the Warm Waterfall, a heavy mist clings to the air, glowing faintly in the sunlight. The roar of cascading water echoes through the rugged cliffs of the Eastern Stormhorns, blending with the faint, sulfurous scent of the geothermal spring. The steaming pool at the waterfall’s head shimmers with golden hues, while jagged rocks and slick mineral deposits mark the terrain. Despite its striking beauty, there’s an unshakable tension in the air - a subtle, simmering anger that seems to grow stronger with every step closer.
The Warm Waterfall is infamous for its aura of fury, a supernatural effect that stirs aggression and unease among those who linger too long. First warmed during the Feywild Wars, the falls have since become a site of mystery and danger. Legends speak of Melkerech the Lich, who conducted experiments in the area, and sightings of a floating fort high above the falls. While some adventurers and scholars visit to uncover its secrets, most leave wary of its dangers - or never return at all.

Geography

The Warm Waterfall is located in the rugged Eastern Stormhorns of Northern Cormyr, near the village of Tyrluk. The terrain is dominated by steep, jagged cliffs and rolling hills covered in patches of dense forest. The waterfall emerges from a natural hot spring high in the mountains, cascading over a 30-foot rocky outcrop into a steaming pool surrounded by mineral-coated stones.
A small stream flows from the pool, winding through the valley and cooling as it merges with a larger river that supplies fresh water to the region. The cliffs above the waterfall are treacherous and nearly inaccessible, their dark crevices and overhanging ledges hidden by constant mist.

Natural Beauty

The Warm Waterfall is a striking natural landmark, its steaming waters shimmering with a faint golden hue under sunlight. The constant mist rising from the falls catches the light, creating rainbows during the day and an ethereal glow at night, enhanced by the bioluminescent algae and glowing fish in the pool.
The surrounding hills and cliffs offer breathtaking views of the Stormhorns and the distant forests of Northern Cormyr, making the site both dangerous and mesmerising for those who dare to approach.

Ecosystem

The Warm Waterfall is located in the Eastern Stormhorns, where underground geothermal activity heats the spring that feeds the falls. This creates a warm, humid microclimate with temperatures higher than the surrounding region. Constant mist rises from the falls, cloaking the area in a veil of steam. The rocky terrain is rugged and mineral-rich, with sharp cliffs and slick surfaces shaped by centuries of erosion.
Vegetation is sparse, but hardy mosses and bioluminescent algae cling to the rocks and shallow edges of the pool. The cliffs above the falls are pocked with crevices that provide shelter to various creatures. The humid environment supports life forms adapted to heat, dampness, and isolation.

Ecosystem Dynamics

The ecosystem of the Warm Waterfall revolves around its geothermal features, creating a harsh but balanced web of interactions.

Aquatic Life: The pool supports a limited range of species. Bioluminescent algae thrive in the mineral-rich water, attracting small glowing fish. These fish serve as prey for larger predators like Chuuls, which wait motionless in the depths for their next meal.

Predators: Chuuls dominate the aquatic food chain, but their reign is challenged by Steam Mephits. These elemental creatures feed on geothermal energy and scavenge or prey on weaker creatures.

Cliffside Fauna: Above the falls, the cliffs provide nesting sites for birds of prey and small mammals that scavenge along the stream. The constant mist and slick surfaces make the cliffs difficult for larger animals to navigate, creating a sanctuary for more agile species.

Interactions with the Physical Environment

The interplay between geothermal activity and biological life defines the Warm Waterfall’s ecosystem.

Heat and Minerals: The high temperatures and mineral content of the water limit biodiversity, allowing only highly adapted species like algae and Chuuls to thrive. The algae break down minerals, forming the foundation of the ecosystem.

Mist and Humidity: The mist sustains mosses and small plants on surrounding rocks. These plants, in turn, support herbivorous insects and amphibians that attract predators.

Predator-Prey Relationships: The glowing fish feed on algae, while their light draws predators. Chuuls and Mephits regulate the population, preventing overgrowth and maintaining balance.

Environmental Challenges

The Warm Waterfall’s extreme conditions create significant challenges for its ecosystem:

Temperature Stress: High heat restricts the number of species able to survive near the pool.

Erosion: Constant water flow wears down rocks, creating an unstable and dangerous terrain.

Aggressive Behavior: Many creatures in the area display heightened aggression, contributing to an unpredictable and volatile environment.

Localized Phenomena

Geothermal Steam Veil: Constant mist rises from the falls, refracting sunlight into faint rainbows during the day and glowing faintly at night due to bioluminescent algae in the pool.
Aura of Fury: The location stirs tempers and heightens aggression in those who linger.
Unnatural Winds: Sudden, sharp gusts make climbing the cliffs above the falls dangerous. Faint whispers ride these winds, unsettling those nearby.
Volatile Gases: Occasional releases of sulfurous gas from the geothermal activity can cause dizziness and disorientation.
Shifting Shadows: Shadowy figures are sometimes seen moving through the mist, vanishing when closely observed.

Climate

The Warm Waterfall lies in the Eastern Stormhorns, where the climate is typically cool and temperate, with harsh winters bringing snow and frost to the surrounding hills. However, the geothermal heat of the falls creates a small microclimate of warmth and humidity around the pool, contrasting sharply with the colder mountain air. Weather is generally stable, but storms can bring strong winds and sudden downpours, making the terrain treacherous.

Fauna & Flora

Flora

The Warm Waterfall’s humid microclimate supports hardy mosses, bioluminescent algae, and mineral-tolerant grasses that cling to the rocks and shallow edges of the pool. These plants form the base of the ecosystem, providing food for smaller aquatic species and stabilizing the otherwise barren terrain.

Fauna

Glowing Fish: Small, bioluminescent fish thrive in the warm, mineral-rich waters, feeding on algae and providing a key food source for larger predators.
Chuuls: Aberrant crustaceans dwell in the depths of the pool, ambushing prey that ventures too close. Steam Mephits: Mischievous creatures drawn to the geothermal heat; they scavenge and harass intruders.

Birds of Prey: Falcons and hawks nest in the cliffs above, hunting smaller creatures along the stream. Cliffside Mammals: Agile rodents and small predators navigate the rocky overhangs, scavenging near the pool.

Natural Resources

Forests and Wood

The dense forests near the Warm Waterfall are rich with hardy timber, but the persistent aura of fury often prevents loggers from working safely. Arguments and violent outbursts frequently disrupt operations, making the surrounding woods underutilized despite their potential.

Metals and Stone

The cliffs and hills of the Eastern Stormhorns contain valuable iron and copper deposits, with veins of silver deeper in the mountains. However, mining operations near the Warm Waterfall are abandoned or heavily restricted due to the pervasive aggression caused by the Aura of Fury. The high-quality stone from the cliffs remains mostly untapped for the same reason.

Agriculture and Livestock

While the fertile valleys near Tyrluk support grain fields and grazing sheep, the lands closest to the Warm Waterfall are barren and avoided by farmers. The heat and aura make it unsuitable for sustained agricultural activity, and livestock refuse to approach the area, often becoming skittish or aggressive if forced too close.

Geothermal Minerals

The Warm Waterfall itself produces unique mineral deposits, including sulfur and silica, which could be harvested for alchemical purposes. However, no one dares attempt sustained collection due to the hostility of both the environment and its inhabitants.

History

Early History

The Warm Waterfall was an ordinary cold-water cascade until the **Feywild Wars**, when violent magical surges altered the region. During this time, the waterfall began to run warm, and the area developed its infamous **Aura of Fury**, though the exact cause remains unknown.

Experiments of Melkerech

In later centuries, the Warm Waterfall became a site of dark intrigue. Melkerech the Lich was known to conduct experiments in the area, though the exact nature of his work remains a mystery. Locals avoided the falls, believing them cursed by his presence.

A War Wizard’s Observations

The location is referenced in Twenty Winters a War Wizard , which documented the aura of fury and noted sightings of a floating fort above the waterfall. These accounts have fueled speculation about what lies in the cliffs and caves around the falls.

Tourism

Visitors and Their Interests

The Warm Waterfall attracts a mix of curious adventurers, mystics, and foolhardy thrill-seekers drawn by its mysterious reputation. Many are intrigued by the Aura of Fury, either to test their resilience or to study its effects. Scholars and alchemists occasionally visit to collect rare mineral samples or study the bioluminescent algae, despite the dangers.
Some adventurers come in search of the floating fort described in Twenty Years a War Wizard, hoping to uncover its secrets or treasure. Others are simply drawn to the location’s striking natural beauty, mesmerized by the steaming falls and glowing waters.

Accommodations

Most visitors stay in Tyrluk, a short distance from the falls. The village offers modest lodgings such as The Old Boar Inn, where travelers can rest and resupply before venturing into the wilds. For those who cannot afford or avoid the town’s accommodations, the surrounding hills provide ample but risky spots for rough camping.

Cormyr

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Type

Waterfall

Vehicles Present

• Elyza's Wake