Serithal
Serithal, the Hidden Current, is a vast inland lake-realm, where freshwater sustains all who live within its depths and upon its central island. Unlike the churning seas of Thalassor or the silent, reflective lakes of Liravel, Serithal is a realm of constant, unseen motion—currents that shift beneath the surface, shaping the world in ways not always perceived.
It is a domain of balance, where water and land embrace rather than oppose one another, creating a self-sustaining cycle of renewal.
Geography
Serithal is defined by its massive freshwater expanse, hidden underwater currents, and a singular, sacred island rising from its heart.
- The Heart of Stillness – The great island at the center of Serithal, where earth and water meet in perfect balance. - The Hidden Currents – Beneath the calm surface of Serithal’s waters, powerful unseen streams flow in twisting, labyrinthine paths. - The Everfed Springs – Vast underwater wells, feeding the lake with pure, life-giving water that never runs dry. - The Veil of Mist – A shifting fog hovers over certain parts of the lake, concealing unknown depths and mysterious forces. - The Submerged Ruins – Fragments of forgotten civilizations rest beneath the waves, untouched by time, preserved by Seltharun’s steady flow.
Climate & Atmosphere
Serithal’s climate is gentle and temperate, where water and land shape the air, creating an atmosphere of renewal and vitality.
- Mist-Hung Mornings – The air is cool and fresh, the lake’s breath rising in soft veils of mist. - Eternal Renewal – Unlike most bodies of water, Serithal’s depths never grow stagnant, constantly replenished by the Everfed Springs. - Changing Depths – The currents shift without warning, revealing or hiding islands, sandbanks, and underwater structures. - Reflections of the Soul – It is said that one’s truest nature can be seen in the waters of Serithal—but only if the surface remains undisturbed.
The Spirit of Serithal
Seltharun, known as the Isleborn Tide, is the Ascended Spirit of Serithal, embodying the perfect balance between water and land, between motion and stillness.
- Seltharun is neither fierce nor passive—he is the gentle tide that reshapes without force, the unseen flow that guides without control. - He is often depicted as a figure whose form is both liquid and solid, shifting seamlessly between water and stone. - It is said that his presence is felt most strongly in the Everfed Springs, where the water flows upward, defying gravity itself.
Mythology & Legends
- The Island That Moves – Some claim that Serithal’s great island does not remain in one place, but drifts subtly, carried by the realm’s hidden currents. - The Breath of the Lake – A belief that the mists of Serithal are Seltharun’s exhalations, carrying visions of what was and what may yet be. - The Sunken Path – It is said that deep within the lake, a road of smooth stone leads to a city beneath the waves, untouched by time.
Connection to Other Realms
Serithal lies between the seas, the lakes, and the rivers, a place where freshwater acts as a bridge between the forces of land and water.
- To the Depths of Thalassor – Some say that rivers from Serithal feed into the great ocean, yet never lose their clarity. - To the Tranquil Lakes of Liravel – Where the waters slow, reflections deepen, and Serithal’s life-giving flow fades into stillness. - To the Fertile Banks of Delmora – The overflow of Serithal’s springs nurtures the lands beyond its shores, feeding Delmora’s great rivers.
Influence on Adaris
Serithal is a sacred place to those who seek renewal, wisdom, and the balance between action and patience.
- Healers and alchemists consider the waters of Serithal to be the purest in all of Adaris, capable of curing ailments both physical and spiritual. - Seafarers and river-dwellers respect Seltharun as the spirit of navigation and safe passage, believing that those who follow the currents will never be lost. - Some cultures send their dead into Serithal’s depths, believing that the waters will carry them beyond the mortal realm without decay.
"A Current Moves, Even When It Cannot Be Seen"
A common saying among those who seek Seltharun’s wisdom, reminding all that not all motion is visible, and not all power is forceful.