Loch Shel

Legend has it that this lake was once home to a fairy (or perhaps elf) king, and it was enchanted to never freeze during even the harshest of seasons. More likely it is fed by deep hot springs or volcanic activity of some kind, but regardless of the cause, Loch Shel never freezes. Unfortunately, this makes the province home to every monster and nasty creature within a hundred miles (at least during winter), so the inhabitants must live in small, fortified settlements year round. The Soldat of Drachenward has devised a plan to rid the province of the worst of monsters, but hardy adventurers do not exactly grow on trees in the northlands.