Lagoons
Lagoons are areas of shallow water mostly separated from a larger sea or ocean by barrier islands, coral reefs, or isthmuses. While lagoons can occur in any region, in fictional worlds they are most often used in tropical island settings in conjunction with sandy beaches or mangrove forests. Lagoons may offer safety from a storm. However, the shoals, reefs or other obstacles that separate them from the wider ocean may be treacherous and may harbor shipwrecks. Entry or exit from a lagoon may be subject to the tides, with the lagoon entirely closed off from the sea during low tide. Especially picturesque lagoons may feature waterfalls. In fantasy or pirate worlds lagoons may be mermaid coves.
| Synonyms: bays, inlets |
| Example Mythonyms: the Emerald Lagoon |
Designing Fictional Lagoons
Archetypes
Overview
When designing lagoons consider what isolates them. Lagoons may be hidden from the ocean, with only narrow entry points that are easily missed, especially if they occur in dense jungle or mangrove forest. They may contain secrets (ruins; shipwrecks). Also consider the creatures that may inhabit the lagoon. Often in fictional worlds lagoons are places where sea beasts, cryptids, or leviathans make their home.
Where are the most secluded lagoons of your world?