Green River
The Green River (also known by the ancient Ur-Zen name Rivo Soleus) lies in the western shadow of the Rift Mountains. It wends its way through the Sun Valley of the Two Suns Tribe between Mount Ahriman and Mount Mazta and crosses the plains of Azotura before draining into the Border Marshes of Estrus. Zoners of the Sun Valley have used the Green River as a vital travel conduit for centuries and dragonboats and barges are a common sight on the marshy banks of the Rivo Soleus.
Geography
The Green River is a natural limestone creek. It is fed by a system of deep subterranean rivers that have risen to the surface through eroded limestone deposits. In contrast to freestone rivers, limestone streams emanate from groundwater sources, artesian aquifers where hydrological pressure generated from a confined aquifer meets the earth’s surface and forces water up onto and over the land.
The river bed consists of a combination of sand and white limestone stained with algae, which gives the river its distinctive green appearance. The banks of the Green River tend to lie level with the river itself. Steep banks are a rarity indicating very little cumulative erosion.
The Green River is generally not a swift flowing water course and instead gently meanders through the natural contours of Sun Valley, which makes it an excellent medium of transportation for canoe and light-rigged vessels.
Fauna & Flora
The limestone content of the Green River makes it pH basic and high in calcium. These features combine to create a rich biomass environment teeming with abundant algae blooms and numerous varieties of crustacean and piscine species.
The shores of the Green River are home to many types of plants including flowering ferns and reeds. The still water bends of the Green River are prone to stagnancy which often leads to marshy overgrowth that hinders human travel. These marshes can be dangerous for travelers when boats get mired in the undergrowth, because the murky algae often conceal lurking dangers, such as crocodiles and electric eels.
The swifter currents of the Green River hold their fair share of dangers as well. Travellers should be wary of piranhas and vampire fish as well as snakeheads that grow to a length of six feet and can conceal themselves in muddy banks in order to hunt terrestrial prey.
Natural Resources
Natives of the Two Suns tribe and Azotura have fished the Green River for giant catfish and other river fare for centuries. Azoturans are particularly fond of netting for freshwater shrimp and other crustaceans, a prized delicacy to many zone tribes. The river bank also provides an abundant supply of reeds which are sturdy and flexible enough to be used for construction as well as certain textile applications (protective clothing for labourers and even armour for warriors).
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