Weit River (veɪt rɪvər)

The Weit River forms the easternmost boundary of the currently settled Frontier Lands. On the east banks can be found a few settlements mostly free hamlets and other small farming communities. On the west bank is wild lands home to giants and goblinoids. The river originates in the Fernt swamp to the north in the barbarian lands, running almost straight south from there to the Esas Ocean. Unlike the other rivers that run through the frontier Lands to the Esas Ocean the Weit River does not have a city on its mouth. Yet. The Weit has been shifting its banks depositing fertile silt in the plains making the area very lush. The river land would make great farming land, but except for a few individual settlers the land has thus far remained undeveloped. Two reasons are the distance from the New Kingdoms and already established Frontier Lands kingdoms, and the proximity to the Ethiceter forest and the numerous goblinoids that dwell there.

Geography

Originating in the Fernt swamp along with three other rivers, the Weit river exits the southern boundary of the swamp as a large stream, barely fifteen feet across and five feet deep at its center. The river travels south through the Frontier Lands crossing plains and forests picking up tributaries as it goes growing to nearly three hundred yards across and forty feet deep before it enters the Esas Ocean.

Fauna & Flora

The Weit river is home to a wide variety of wildlife. The plants include those that can be found in any river, including cattails, flowering rush and bulrushe. Freefloating plants include stonewort, plankton algae and chara, as well as mosses, pondweeds, coontails, wild celery and waterweed. Of particular note is a unique form type of reed called eisrohr It looks much like a cattail except that the flowers are a light blue in color.

In addition to the plants that grow in the river a number of plants grow along the banks. Scots pines dominate the dry sandy areas, while oaks, alders, ash trees and a variety of other tree species grow on the better-watered areas. The silting bogs, located near the headwaters of the river is characterized by extensive birch and alder forests.

Numerous animals make their homes in and around the river. Beavers and otters abound as do a number of species of bats such as the pug bat and the rare manta like sinisters. Numerous herbivores come to the river to drink, such as aurochs, buffalo, and numerous species of deer. The herbivores in tern draw hunters. Packs of wolves are found in the vicinity of the river as are black bears and brown bears.

Numerous bird species also dwell in the region of the Weit River. The water meadows are center for the white stork. In addition, black stork, various meadow breeder species such as lapwing, redshank, common snipe, backed shrike, and woodlark to name a few are found along the river. There are also several large breeding bird species including crane, white-tailed eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, and red kite. Many other bird species use the habitats of the river as resting and wintering areas. Especially during migration periods in autumn and spring large flocks of lapwings and geese (including Gray Goose, white-fronted goose and barnacle goose), the fields and meadows of the Weit Valley. In the winter months, sometimes thousands of whooper swans rest in the fields near the Weit. Especially when the Weit floods in late winter and spring, thousands of ducks, including wigeons, pintails, spoonbills, gadgets, and teal use the shallow areas of the Weit for a stopover. Every year thousands of cranes gather at various roosts in autumn and spring, making the area of importance for the species.

Great crested newt, natterjack toad, tree frog, moor frog, and fire-bellied toad are some of these species of amphibians that call the Weit river home. Various species of turtles, snakes and lizards dwell in and along the river with crocodiles found in the southern reaches. Valuable fish species in the river include bitterling, crucian carp, wolffish and mud whip. Crustaceans such as crayfish, shrimp, some types of lobster and certain crab species live in the Weit. Insect larvae, including the mayfly, caddisfly and stonefly, gestate in the shallower areas. Beetles can be found in areas that have plenty of rocks for the insects to stand on. The great fire butterfly, the madesweet mother-of-pearl butterfly, the plantain piebald butterfly, the large and small schiller butterfly and the thick-headed golden butterfly can all be found in the vicinity of the Weit. Numerous species of dragonflies also dwell along the Weit, as well as wedge damsel, blue-winged demoiselle, banded demoiselle, common wedge damsel, and great moss damsel.

Natural Resources

In addition to the various flora and fauna found along the river and the water itself, there are numerous places where the current is strong to turn water wheels. The plains surrounding the river are exceptionally fertile, and well suited to farming.

Type

River

Location under

Frontier Lands