Oteris
Oteris is a vast great lake in the eastern part of Kvarend. Many believe it to be the birthplace of all life, and it undoubtedly brings life as an oasis in the scorching, deadly desert it is located in. Along its shores are many settlements made up of many different types of folk, but its three largest are the cities of Oum Ariti and Turtur and the village of Jazador.
Geography
Located in the middle of The Living Sands the great lake of Oteris is the largest single freshwater sea in Kvarend. Oteris functions as an enourmos oasis, its edges teeming with plants and wildlife. Its size makes it impossible to see the other side beyond the horizon, but its calm waters makes travel across it a safe and quick task. The river Zervos runs from its southern edge all the way down to Voceiros Ocean and The Bronze Coast.
Ecosystem
Oteris supports one of the largest and most dense ecosystems in Kvarend. A seemingly endless abundance of fish and crustaceans live in its nutrient rich waters, which attract a wide array of birds from flamingos and gulls to eagles and hawks. Along its edges theres tall grass, palm trees and fruit-bearing bushes that elephants, deer, water buffalo, tapirs, red pandas and much, much more. Great tigers, crocodiles, snakes, wild dogs and otters are numerous, but rarely attack folk as the amount of food is more than enough for all.
Ecosystem Cycles
Oteris experiences little to no seasonal change, though migratory birds from areas with seasons and animals who goes on great wanderings like elephants changes the current cast of animals throughout the year.
Localized Phenomena
Oteris seem to possess an aura of protection or everlasting, as the living sand dunes or the frequent sand storms that surround it never come within the boundaries of its green area. The folk who lives around Oteris tell tales of intense lights emerging from its depths before dissapearing into the night sky, though this has rarely been observed by visitors, though this could be because of how few outsiders partake in the long and arduos journey to get there. These lights are believed by the inhabitants to be newly born gods and spirits, and wordly events that occur after these "Holy Births" are signs of what type of being was born. If say a great forest fire strikes Austhorn, this could indicate that a new god of flames had been born.
History
Oteris, together with The Mothers are considered candidates for the birth of life, with people usually picking one or the other based on religion and geographic closeness to the lake or lakes of choice. Stories that are so old they have no written origin tell of all folk of all kinds walking out of a great body of water, located in dry land. Both Oteris and The Mothers fit this description. As there is no discernible way to tell which one is the correct lake since folk in oldern times thought it was obvious which one it was, both are seen as holy and are to be treated as the lake of question.
On the shores of Oteris are many settlements which all do their own part in worshipping the lake. Through the years they have built countless monuments depicting Oteris as a divine mother and giver of life. Many cultures and folk view Oteris this way, but the folk who live along its shores naturally base most of their beliefs, traditions and rituals around the lake.
In recent years mages from Ahbara Sahalabim have started researching the lake and its many mysteries. While traversal and hunting on and around Oteris is not forbidden, the locals are worried that the mages will go too far in some way, tarnishing, angering or even killing the (potential) womb of all life.
Tourism
There is little to no tourism at Oteris due to its location. A treck through The Living Sands is for most an act of suicide, so the shortest ways there are either up the river Zervos from The Bronze Coast, or through The Swamps of Uymuhr. Both of these options are lengthy journeys. It is recommended to not take the way through the swamps, as this area is much wilder and more dangerous than having to deal with the burocratic wizards of Ahbara Sahalabim.
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