Lough Beard

"A quiet lake, thick with mist, calm with purpose. But make no mistake—it listens. It watches. And when the mountains weep, it carries their sorrow far and wide."

Lough Beard is the "ring finger" of the Godhand Lakes, a steady, watchful body of water nestled between the towering Cloudrend Mountains and the ever-moist earth fed by the Laughing Sea’s breath. Its waters are calm, its shores often veiled in thick mist, and its presence as unshakable as the mountains that birthed it. It is Everwealth’s second smallest lake, only surpassing the vital Lough Lord in size, yet its importance grows with each passing year as industry and expansion pull at its edges. With the rising prominence of Stoutson and Newforge, and Dwarfshire resting just beyond its expanse, Lough Beard is no longer just a lake, it is an artery waiting to be widened, a sleeping giant whose depths may one day bear the weight of ships and trade.

Geography

Lough Beard lies within the natural bowl formed by the Cloudrend Mountains, its waters collected from the constant melting of ice and the general moisture drawn inland from the Laughing Sea. Unlike the more turbulent lakes of Everwealth, its position shelters it from harsher gales, leaving its surface smooth and untroubled, save for the whisper of wind rolling down the slopes. The mist that clings to its waters is a near-permanent presence, weaving through the mountain basin, wrapping the lake in an ever-present shroud. The lake's depths are unknown, but old dwarf-lore speaks of tunnels beneath, unseen veins that run deeper than any pickaxe has struck, hinting at caverns and passages long buried by time.

Ecosystem

Lough Beard is a lake of patience and endurance, its lifeforms adapted to slow-moving waters and thick fog. The fish here are stocky, their scales dark to match the shadowed lakebed, and their movements sluggish, as though weighed down by the lake’s own stillness. Thick reeds line the shallows, tangling around anything that lingers too long, while ghostly-white lilies bloom atop the water, their petals curling like fingers in the mist. Above the surface, wind-dancers-long-legged, pale-plumed birds, stand still as statues, waiting for movement beneath the water before striking with unnatural speed. Dwarfish fishermen believe these birds are omens, their presence a sign that the lake is feeling generous, or withholding its bounty in silence.

Ecosystem Cycles

Lough Beard shifts with the seasons, though never in extremes. The melting ice of early spring swells its banks, feeding its tributaries and pushing fresh, cold water into its depths. In summer, the mist thickens, rolling heavier across the lake, reducing visibility to near nothing. Autumn sees the water level settle, the reeds browning, the lilies curling in upon themselves as if retreating from the cooling air. Winter comes in whispers, the lake does not freeze solid, though thin sheets of ice form in the shallows, and the wind carries an edge sharp enough to bite through flesh.

Localized Phenomena

• The Whispering Shore – On windless nights, those standing near the lake claim to hear voices carried through the mist. Some say it is the wind trapped within the Cloudrend Mountains, others swear it is the spirits of those lost in the fog, calling for those who still live.

• The Sunken Steps – Occasional low tides reveal strange stone formations beneath the lake’s surface, ancient steps or ruins of something built long before Everwealth was carved into existence. No records speak of what stood there, nor who built it.

• The Silvering – On rare mornings, the mist glows silver at sunrise, as though the lake itself is alight. Dwarfish legend claims this to be a blessing from old gods, though scholars attribute it to mineral-rich deposits reacting to the light.

Climate

Lough Beard enjoys mild but restless weather. The Cloudrend Mountains shield it from Everwealth’s harsher storms, keeping its surface mostly undisturbed, but the air is rarely still. Winds slip between the peaks, stirring the mist, shifting the reeds, playing tricks on the eye. The lake sees more rain than most, its basin trapping moisture, feeding the damp earth that surrounds it. Snow is rare, never lingering long before melting into the waters below.

Fauna & Flora

• Wind-Dancers – Pale, long-legged birds that remain motionless for hours before striking prey with unsettling precision.

• Bog-Tooth Pike – Large, slow-moving fish with thick, gray scales and jagged teeth, known for their tendency to swallow anything that fits in their mouths.

• Whisper Lilies – White lilies that float atop the water, blooming only in thick fog, their petals curling when touched.

• Drowned Reeds – Hardy plants that shift with the wind, their tangled roots often trapping small boats and unwary swimmers.

Natural Resources

• Freshwater Reserves – The lake is a critical water source for the growing settlements of Stoutson and Newforge.

• Mineral-Rich Sediments – Rumored to contain deposits of rare minerals, particularly in its deeper trenches.

• Aquatic Game – Fish and lakefowl provide food for nearby settlements, though the lake’s bounty is not always predictable.

History

Lough Beard has existed longer than Everwealth itself, long before dwarves and men or Elf laid claim to its shores. Its calmness has made it both a refuge and an afterthought, overshadowed by Lough Lord’s importance to the capital and the greater size of its neighboring waters. But as Everwealth expands, the lake is no longer ignored. Originally seen as an obstacle by early miners pushing northward, the lake was first mapped by dwarves seeking to carve through the Cloudrend range and open trade routes toward the northern coast. Though Dwarfshire was not built with permanence in mind, its presence secured Lough Beard as an essential waypoint, feeding fresh water to settlements that now depend on its steady, patient depths. In recent years, discussions of dredging and widening the lake have emerged, a means to accommodate trade vessels and link the settlements that have grown around it. If such efforts succeed, Lough Beard may soon transform from a quiet mountain lake to a vital artery in Everwealth’s growing dominion.

Tourism

Unlike its more prominent counterparts, Lough Beard does not see many visitors. It is too quiet for leisure, too unremarkable for legend. However, it does attract those who seek peace, hermits, scholars, and fishermen who value solitude above all else. The mist-heavy waters offer a certain serenity, a place for those who wish to be forgotten or left undisturbed.

Alternative Name(s)

'The Fogfinger', 'The Silent Lough', 'The Drowned Ring', 'The Quiet Basin'.

Inhabiting Species

• Fleckwing Striders