River of the Defiled
Treat the River with respect, and it will consider giving it back to you.
Content warning: picture of a snake below
The River of the Defiled is a "river" that runs through the entirety of the Thenian state of Kezig. In addition to being sacred to the Ravkan religion, it is typically also an important part of Kezens' national and cultural identities. The River's name is derived from the Ravkan pantheon, the Defiled, and it's said that the Defiled look favorably on those that honor the River. Although it's a saltwater river, it still supports a wide variety of unique flora and fauna. Because of its religious importance, rare flora and fauna, and overall importance to those that live on its banks, the River of the Defiled is a large tourist draw.
Kazza had lived in Skruj Drae almost his whole life, and he was still a mixture of frightened and respectful of the long river that snaked its way through Kezig. It was definitely sacred to him as a Ravkan, but it was more than that: it was also equal parts imposing and secretive, and he was always on guard when he was on the River. His father had told him once that the flora and fauna he saw on the River were truly blessed beings (as they had been returned to nature as part of the sacred River), but Kazza had always secretly hoped his afterlife took him elsewhere.
Geography
Localized Phenomena
Fauna & Flora
POSTED WARNING
The River of the Defiled is sacred; do not disturb the flora or fauna of this area! Breaking this law will result in a fine. FURTHER, be warned of the many animals that make this river and its banks home: if you're bitten by a Grindylow, seek help immediately; if you're bitten by a Basilisk, please pray to your gods. Please enjoy our beautiful River!
Natural Resources
History
Tourism
Marina's River Rituals
It's that time of year: Hexenight! For an all-inclusive price, join us for a night of traversing our beautiful River! An Excori will accompany us as we pay deference to the Defiled on this sacred night. Although we can't guarantee it, we're almost certain to see a Kelpie galloping the banks or the cresting of a fierce Afanc. Book by the 13th, and receive a bundle of Fangstrife for your home's protection!
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I feel this strikes a nice balance between good worldbuilding, a delightfully moody goth vibe, and a touch of capitalist shilling (Marina's River Ritual sounds hilariously close to pamphlets I've seen for ghost tours while on vacation)! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Feel free to check out my Rivers/Waterways entry: Loch Mesner
Thanks so much! I 10000% based that on the ghost tours that are around me, so I'm glad that came across! I'm just somewhat morbidly fascinated by the capitalist endeavors that come out of virtually anything, even a sacred, haunted river. Thanks for reading!
No prob. Part of me really wants to explore the notion of people capitalizing on anything and everything they can (I literally describe one of the nations in my world as 'a country of merchants and traders'). Plus I love how writers like Terry Pratchett just satirize the whole idea into hilarity, but I'm not sure if that much humor would work tonally in the world I'm working on. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Feel free to check out my Rivers/Waterways entry: Loch Mesner