Mahal River

The Mahal River (Theen, "Blossom") is a major river in southeastern Tevhetra. It is one of the main rivers in Setre, along with the Erepar River to the west, and serves as the border between Setre and Aphelia, as well as a major thoroughfare in eastern Setre.

Geography

The Mahal spans the whole of Setre, connecting the Iperal Basin at the center of Tevhetra to the Lunar Sea in the south. Not far from the Iperal Basin, it splits off from the Blackwater River, which continues west into Aphelia. A few small tributaries peel off in the north into the canyons, reducing into streams and then trickles the further one goes west. The bridge city of Risavé is built at about the midpoint of the river; while it technically has structures on both sides of the Mahal (and above it), it is considered fully Setret. Down south, the Mahal splits into the Upper and Lower Mahal, the former more eastward, framing the capital of Sathreál as they empty into the Lunar Sea.

Fauna & Flora

Several species of underwater fungi survive on the rocky bottom of the Mahal, while stringblossoms lie dormant in the darkness before expanding and opening their flowers above the surface when lightfall comes. They give the river its name in Theen, and boats are very careful to avoid hitting these. Tiny lithovoric crabs scuttle on the bottom to feed on the stone dust worn away by erosion, using their shells to pass themselves as rocks, while other crabs scavenge the remains that drift below. Burrowing fish dig into the riverbed in the dark and emerge in the light. Glowbacks drift through the water, scooping up fish, small stones, and carrion alike and digesting them to fuel their bioluminescence, warm and bright enough that algae grows on them and attracts more river life. Aquatic horrorbeasts snatch for food with tentacles or pincers or too many mouths. Above the surface, the water attracts rockwyrms, windwyrms, buzzers, phase foxes, stone weasels, and other creatures looking for a drink.

Natural Resources

Along with being a source of fresh water in the dry lands of Setre, the Mahal provides food from the animals that live under its waters or on its shores. In some tributary canyons, the water has worn the stone to silt, providing material for ceramics. A few crystal have even been exposed by erosion. While salvage occasionally washes south from the Iperal Basin, it's caught by the time it reaches Risavé and isn't reliable enough to make salvage harvesting profitable.
The Mahal is also free of rapids or waterfalls, making it easy to travel and the easiest way to reach Sathreál from northern Setre and eastern Aphelia and back. The current is mild enough that boats can be pulled upstream with a team of waterwyrms. Larger boats are crafted from wood imported from the Avantha Kolari and are maintained ruthlessly, but a few smaller craft are made of bone and tight leather or even large shells.

History

Prior to the Nightfall, the river was known as the Slea'akoral ("Inkheart") River in Theen and the Southwater in Aphelian. The details of the river's pre-Nightfall ecology were not properly documented, but there appear to be some populations of underwater flowers that mutated into stringblossoms to survive in the wake of the Nightfall. The darkness drove most of Setre's eastern population into the Mahal's canyons for rough shelter and the most obvious source of food and water. As conditions stabilized and the Setret adjusted to the new climate, they abandoned these temporary settlements.
The Aphelians have also tried to claim resources from the Mahal, leading to several small clashes between them and the Setret. However, when the modern state of Aphelia solidified, they signed a treaty with the Setret granting them first claim to the river's resources and promising not to cause ecological damage, hoping to maintain good relations with their nearest neighbor and strongest ally against the Faceless. This arrangement has been respected for decacycles.

Tourism

While most of the river traffic is purely for transporting cargo and people between the Iperal Basin, the Aphelian territories, and the Setret capital, some Iperal merfolk have begun to swim down the Mahal to marvel at its flora and fauna, particularly the variant of stringblossoms found here. This interest in the Mahal's organisms has boomed within the last twenty cycles, and also attracted the interest of Myulin ecologists.

Alternative Name(s)

Slea'akoral (Theen, pre-Nightfall), Southwater (Aphelian, pre-Nightfall), The River of Flowers (Aphelian epithet)

Type

River

Owning Organization

Setre