Community Atlas - Doriant - The Dale (south East) - Lakeside - Bexley Lake Environment
Ricko
🖼️ 106 images Mapmaker
I invaded Mister Abbot's map to make a small microzone.
More than anything, I wanted to draw a region around a lake. For this map, I used as a reference part of the contour of Lake Nahuel Huapi, where the famous city of Bariloche - Argentina is located and which also serves as the border between the two provinces of Neuquen and Río Negro.
@jmabbott Cheers
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Bexley Lake and Its Surroundings
The vast and pristine Bexley Lake dominates the local landscape, reflecting the clear skies and the surrounding mountains. This lake is the heart of a secluded and sublime area marked by the harmony between its inhabitants and the lush nature that surrounds them. At the heart of this region is Lakeside, the largest and most vibrant settlement on the eastern shore of the lake.
Economy and Commerce
The fertile lands around Bexley Lake are known for their abundance. The inhabitants of Lakeside and the surrounding villages grow and export fresh and dried fruits such as plums, apples and pears—harvested with care during seasonal festivals that celebrate the bounty. In addition, the woodlands surrounding the lake provide high-quality charcoal made from aromatic woods, while a few fields of grain wave in the wind, ready to be harvested and shipped south.
Much of this produce is transported to Tarnia, from where it goes to Castle Cypher, the largest trading post in the area, and from there it finally reaches Portsmouth, the heart of the southern trade. However, the central road that runs through the region is also vital, allowing the flow of goods to the villages of Daurne, Rivermeet and Abbotsford. In these northern towns, the focus is on the exchange of smoked meats, abundant game and finely worked hides, which arrive in caravans to Lakeside and beyond, full of stories and spices.
Traditions and Customs
Despite the flourishing trade, the inhabitants of Bexley Lake are known for their simple life and customs. They believe that the lake is a gift from the ancient gods of the land and water, and the elders call it the "Mirror of the Seasons", because it is said to reflect not only the sky, but also the moods of the weather and the people. Local fishermen, for example, perform small rituals before casting their nets, throwing flower petals into the water as a sign of respect. Seasonal festivals dot the region’s calendar. The most popular is the Lakeside Dawn Festival, held in spring, when boats decorated with humble lanterns float across the lake at dusk, accompanied by singing and dancing by the water’s edge. Harvest Day brings together all the villages for a grand fair in Lakeside, where candied fruits, aromatic wines and ancient grain breads are exchanged for produce from villages further afield.
The People and Their Beliefs
The residents of Lakeside are considered the most cosmopolitan of the region, known for their hospitality and skill in negotiation. They manage most of the trade that flows out of the lake, but they still preserve the tradition of sharing stories around communal campfires. These stories often tell of the Mysteries of the Lake—legends of an island that disappears and reappears depending on the phase of the moon, or of aquatic creatures that only appear under the light of the stars.
A Peaceful Oasis
Far from the big cities and hidden by valleys, the Bexley Lake region is a true refuge. Here, time seems to flow differently, following the slow rhythm of the seasons. The residents live in harmony with nature, and the tranquility that permeates the area attracts weary travelers in search of rest.
With its natural beauty and rich traditions, Bexley Lake is more than just a dot on the map—it is a place of balance between the human world and the wild, a hidden gem in the Dales that is a land untouched by war.
I was going to use this area for one of Monsen’s challenges but your efforts far surpass what I was thinking of. Beautiful work Ricko, love it!
There is plenty of room to grow, if you want I can move all these maps to another location without any problem.
Cheers Brother
No mate, leave them exactly as they are. They’re perfect!
Chester - The Lakeside Hideaway
Located on the shores of the vast Bexley Lake, Chester is the second largest settlement in the region, with a thriving population of 291 who live off abundant fruit harvests, fishing and bartering at the local market. Quiet and welcoming, this village combines simplicity with natural beauty, providing a peaceful haven for locals and a point of curiosity for the few travelers who pass through the region.
Points of Interest:
1 The Green Hearth Tavern - The main tavern in the village, where travelers and villagers gather to eat, drink and exchange stories. Known for its craft bitter ale and an eternal fireplace that never goes out.
2 The Chapel - A small temple where Father Thallos offers healing and advice to the villagers, but holds a dark secret about his own origins.
3 The Village Market - An open square where villagers sell fresh produce, furs, tools and crafts. Occasionally, traveling merchants bring exotic items from faraway lands.
4 The Traveling Stone – A monolith with ancient markings, located at the intersection of the roads leading in and out of the village. It is said to be a forgotten teleportation stone, activated by ancient words, but no villager dares to test it.
5 The Elder's House – The home of the village chief, Julius Branwick, an elderly man who leads with wisdom. His home is a meeting place for important decisions.
6 The Oak – A gigantic, hollow, yet living oak tree that stands near the village. The villagers believe the tree is a symbol of divine protection. Children play around it, its trunk has ancient markings etched into the wood.
7 The Herbalist’s Hut – A hut in the end of the village where the herbalist Mira lives and works. She provides simple potions and medicines. Rumor has it that she has a connection with local druids.
8 The Shadowed Grotto – A hidden cave at the base of a nearby hill. Inside, an underground lake glows with a faint, blue light. It is said that an ancient spirit lives there, offering wisdom or curses to anyone who dares enter.
Kiln is a small settlement of just over a hundred residents, whose daily lives are deeply marked by the hard work of extracting plants. The lumberjacks and charcoal burners, accustomed to the harshness of the forest and the axe, spend their days collecting and processing wood — searching for specific trees and transforming them into common charcoal for everyday use. However, their most valued product is aromatic charcoal, whose intense and delicate fragrance enriches local trade, and is taken to neighboring cities, especially Cypher and Portsmouth.
Near the settlement, among trees and winding trails, lies a small cave known as the Puma House. A discreet and unmysterious rock formation, beyond its natural presence, it is nothing more than a silent passage on the outskirts of the village — a shadow that almost goes unnoticed in the hard and silent routine of the residents.
Zone is finished @Monsen
Thank you
Great work and a great addition to the Atlas Ricko! My original map was based on The Vale from The Design Mechanism’s, Book of Quests a campaign for Mythras. Your work takes in an entirely new, and pleasing to the eye I must say, direction. Well done!
Thanks @jmabbott. Since the map didn't have any description, I decided not to compromise any story that might be in this region. So I chose to follow the draw style and compose a peaceful scenario, far from everything and – at least for some who are not explorers – nothing exciting or intense happening. Something bucolic and contemplative and focusing on a small local economy (you have to survive on something). But no one is condemned to eternal boredom in a world that is constantly changing.
You have a little village there, Tabbot 😎
I picked up on that village Ricko, thank you.
Thanks @Ricko, another set of great maps now added to the atlas. This should be the last of your maps in my queue, I only have a few more in my email now that I hope to take care off before taking my vacation.
Hope you don't forget others of us who have submitted maps. 😃
No worries. Those are the ones in my email that I mentioned above.
I only have a few more in my email now that I hope to take care off before taking my vacation.
Have a great vacation! I may have some new maps to submit once you're back and settled in.