Hi everyone, and welcome back to the Finder’s Archives.
In this column, we take some of the lands from Magic: The Gathering and turn them into something you can use for your fantasy games.
The stats given in each entry assumes that you’re using Pathfinder or 5e for your games, but they can easily be converted over into any fantasy system. Today we go for a nice relaxing rest at the Cloudcrest Lake
Cloudcrest Lake
Cloudcrest Lake lies high in the mountains and is a refuge for the wealthy AND powerful. Many of the wealthiest people believe that their money is what grants them power, but those with real power – personal, political, or otherwise – know that while the cash that lies within the grasping clutches of the greedy might give them the appearance of influence, the real power comes from something else. And while many of the visitors to Cloudcrest Lake have gold aplenty, that is not why they’re here.
Visitors to Cloudcrest Lake have all received a personal invitation, one that is only ever offered once. If refused, it is forever lost. The invitation is from the High Priestess of the deity of peace, referred to in religious texts as “she who soothes the furrowed brow.” It is unknown who the High Priestess is, as each guest is greeted upon their first arrival by a different priestess (though each guest always gets the same one) who introduced themselves as the “Novitiate-Select” who will be helping and guiding the guest.
Cloudcrest Lake is a place of peace, and one of intense negotiation, often among those who are unable to get along elsewhere. For some, they simply use Cloudcrest Lake as a safe place to rest, one where they can lower their guard, secure in the safety of the place and of the divine interference of the goddess herself if needed. Others come here to be able to talk – in peace – with their rivals, and many wars, grudges, and trade disputes have been resolved in this manner. Here, they can meet and come to agreements in safety, on a TRUE neutral ground.
Lay of the Land
Cloudcrest Lake lies high in an undisclosed mountain range and has a beautiful vista that surrounds it. It is magically hidden beneath multiple layers of illusions that prevent the uninvited from finding it. Should one manage anyway, the priestesses that guard Cloudcrest Lake take them in and modify their memories before sending them back out into the world – erasing all memory of the place, and ensuring its sanctity. They’re sympathetic to all creatures though, and if a wanderer finds themselves in trouble while navigating the mountain range, they will rescue the wanderer, ensure that they’re fit and healthy and that they can make their way back where they came from – even escorting them to the mountain range’s borders, before performing the magic that wipes all memory of them.
The lake itself is remarkably warm, bubbling from an underground spring, and the water is filled with various minerals that reinvigorate those resting in the water. Many find themselves rejuvenated, at least for a short time, and relieved of the stresses that await them back in their homelands.
Each visitor is presented with a small mansion upon arrival that is entirely separate from anyone else, and unless the guests wish to meet other invitees, they will be entirely undisturbed. Through some magical effect, they might even be standing right next to their worst rival, and unless both wished to see each other, would simply be unable to even perceive the presence of the other person.
Only in the neutral meeting halls is this magic suspended, and the visitors are able to perceive each other normally.
Dangers
Cloudcrest Lake hosts no dangers as such. The biggest danger comes from the priestesses deciding that your behavior is unacceptable, wiping your memories of the place, and then sending you on your way. And they are more than capable of doing so as each priestess is a disguised psychopomp (PF2 / PF1 – unfortunately 5e has no equivalent to them) and more than capable of defending themselves or calling upon a more powerful “cousin.”
See you back next week. 😊
Kim Frandsen
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- Finder’s Archive – Crypt of the Eternals - June 2, 2023
I think I have a spot for this in my game already!
Added to the Blog Database.
https://jonbupp.wordpress.com/blog-database/dungeon-master/chapter-5-adventure-environments/wilderness/mountain/