Caolite Basin/Lake Caolite (‘The Emeraldheart’)

Posted on July 15, 2025 in Steel-Realms

Lake Caolite, also called “Emeraldheart” for its greenish color, is the greatest fresh water lake in the Heartlands still. Many rivers in the North Heartlands and some even from the central heartlands drain into it, and the massive Beyne River flows west from it to the sea. Ships from the Northern Merchant Cities, the Grand Duchy of Rhyl and other principalities of the Kingdom of Gladnor ply its surface. A great deal of trade and fishing is conducted on it. It is a gateway to many rivers used as travel for trade and people.

The Weather in the basin is often cooler. Cold air from the magic of the Great Forest of rhyl drops into the basic, runoff from the Duchy of rhyl makes many inlets, and the mountains to the east have cold winds coming down from them. It makes for many turbulent days and a few hellacious storms every year that wreak havoc.

At this location, potash () is mined and shipped out locally and abroad as part of the Fertilizer Industry of Rhyl and others.

Caolite Basin

For a distance of roughly 15-20km around most of the edge of the lake is a depression known as Caolite Basin. The height drops about 1km over the distance to the edge of the lake.

Sources of Lake Caolite

• The Sabarmati River comes out of the Great Forest of Rhyl and into the Northwest area of Lake Caolite, splitting the Reedbed Principality into the The Salt Shore on the north, and the South Reedland Stretch to the south.
• The Faeum River flows west from the foothills of the Tolkisson Mountain Range through the County of Dunaine to Lake Caolite.

Shore Beacons

The south side beacon in the Barony of Astret on Sentinel Hill can be seen by the territories that border the Caolite Basin/Lake Caolite; There is an accompanying beacon in City of Redmark atop Illisain’s Tower (but lacks the visibility range).

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Common Ship Adornment: Quality items from the Inderood Bronzeworks in the City of Fortun are made for ships built and repaired on the Rhylian ports on Lake Caolite.

Settlements on the Lake

The settlements on the shores of Lake Caolite are mostly major ports for the shipment of goods. Because of the slope at the water’s edge. The basin itself drops about 50m over a 300m slope as a ledge around the waterline. This makes for few fishing villages right on the shore, and more town sized settlements with geological features providing easier shore access for fishing and trade. The eastern edge where _ is has a more gradual, silt filled rim with marshes. The Reedbed Shore / SaLT__of the NW area is also a lowland along the edge, but currents and winds make it far more treacherous.

• Arbenants Port (South Reedland Stretch, Rhyl)
• City of Redmark (start of ‘The Red March’)
• City of Saltmarch (Salt Shore, Rhyl)
• Isle of Mielette
• Reedbed City (ruins; Rhyl)
• Shelfers Cradle (Lake Caolite)
• Solavia’s Landing (Rhyl; naval port)
• The Kalizmin Quarry/Dunwater Camp (Rhyl)
• Whitescale Bridge (South Reedland Stretch, Rhyl)

Territorial Access to the Lake

Any territorial powers that have rights to operate on Lake Caolite (granted or allowed by the High King of Gladnor) to move trade goods and people, also include those chosen or volunteering to serve at North Gate Garrison; All of the later land at The Bloods Port in the City of Redmark.

• Merchant Cities of the North – Through the mighty Beyne River that runs west to the sea.
• The Grand Duchy of Rhyl – Trades with the Merchant Cities of the North mostly exotic items, fungi, lumber, and some stone for building. Their navy, located mostly in __, is the primary force to ensure safety in the event of disasters, and against piracy or privateering.

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Chronicle/Facts of the Locale

• Pervasive
• Common
• Uncommon
• Scarce
• Rare

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