Lakes
Lakes are large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land. They may have rivers, streams or waterfalls flowing into them or out of them. They may contain islands or artificial structures within their perimeter. Lakes may vary in depth from shallow to incredibly deep and may hold underwater elements such as ruins, shipwrecks, and underwater caves beneath their surface. They may have docks, fishing towns, or summer camps on their shores. In fictional worlds lakes may be sites of legend, a home to cryptids or leviathans, or contain water with magical properties. They may have regions within them that contain tall reeds or giant water lilies.
| Synonyms: ponds, pools |
| Example Mythonyms: Emerald Lake, Lake of Tears, Lake Saint Agatha |
Archetypes
Overview
When designing lakes, consider the general region in which they are located as well as their characteristics such as size, shape, and depth. Lakes may be a single, vast body of water, or may be a winding series of interconnected spaces. Lakes may be fed by rainfall, rivers & streams, or springs. Consider both the inflow and outflow points of the lake. Lakes may be fed by multiple inflowing sources, but it is exceptionally rare that they have more than one naturally occurring outflowing river or stream.
The characteristics of the lake can impact or enhance a world’s tone. A cold, deep lake, mirky water full of grasping plants, and a mist settled on the surface are elements that can be used to create unease or mystery.
