Sludge River

The Sludge River is a slow-moving, viscous mass of blackened water, decay, and debris, flowing endlessly through the Shadowfell. Unlike normal rivers, the Sludge River does not reflect light, appearing more like an abyss than a body of water. The surface is littered with broken structures, abandoned weapons, and the occasional half-submerged corpse, all carried by the sluggish current. The riverbanks are lined with rotting reeds and skeletal trees, their roots dipping into the tar-like substance. Despite its slow flow, the river is deceptively dangerous. Strange, unseen entities dwell beneath its surface, occasionally pulling the unwary down into the depths. Some legends speak of the Drowned King, an ancient specter who rules over the river's lost souls. The air around the river carries a whispering hum, which grows louder the closer one gets to the water. Many believe these whispers are the voices of those the river has claimed, warning or beckoning travelers toward their fate.
The Rotting Ferry – A half-sunken ferry that eternally drifts along the river, seemingly with no oarsman. Those who board it claim to hear voices urging them to stay aboard. The Mire of Lost Names – A stretch of the river where the water glows faintly. If one stares into it long enough, they might see their own name among the swirling debris. The Black Crossing – The only known stable crossing over the river, a ruined stone bridge that sometimes appears whole and other times is completely broken

Type

River

Related Reports (Secondary)

• SW Session 46: There and Back a Chain.