The River Dread

Ullthwaygon    Locations    Legendary Places      The River Dread

"Of all the rivers that are red. There are none that are quite as well fed."

Dreadbank

Open full size

Spurting out as a substance that is not quite blood from its ever-changing source in the Underworld. The River Dread flows out of the lands of the dead and into the lands of the living. Throughout its course, through the ever-changing annals of time, it has snuck into the lives of those who make a home upon its banks, and many who do not.

Geography

Even in times such as these it is an anomaly for rivers to split before they make their way towards the oceans. Yet sketches taken of The River Dread by draconic cartographers reveal an unsettling deviation from this norm. If what is reported is to be believe it is almost as if the river in several locations is actively reaching for things. All as if it was driven by some malignant purpose. Or perhaps it is just some innate curiosity of its environment if the latter seems a touch too far to the dramatic. As for our fourth matter for today, I must remind my liege that is of vital importance that (Fragment Ends)

— A Report to Court, an unfinished play by Ratillium Shakesfellow {3,249 PA}

Ecosystem

This place, it still follows the rule of law in nature. Things must consume to survive, and any who live there must one day surely die. Yet within these boundaries exists a range of aberrations to this order that would astound the mortals of surrounding lands. Trees pluck out fish from the river, birds fly under its surface, and some things under its crimson waters have been granted a reprieve from a natural death altogether. My goodness, how it makes me miss my home.

— Unkown {4,007 PA}

Ecosystem Cycles

In Winter, I lost my love by the blue of the river. In Spring, I travelled to the gardens of the dead to find them. In Summer, I found a new love there instead. And in the Autumn, I made a new river that was red.

— Harbringers River by Tolliya Yenna {3,056 PA}

The winds of winter hit this place just as hard as any other, more so in fact in the surrounding lands. But the natural warmth of the river makes me almost willing to take a dip beneath its sanguine waves.

Fish-Eats-Fish

The dice here are fish

1d20 vs 1d20
You start with an equal number of fish, usually 4 each.
Each turn you each pick a fish (dice) to roll against your opponent.

• If one dice is larger, that dice wins and grows larger (+1).
• If both dice match, both fish are wounded (-1 each).
• If one dice scores its lowest roll and the other does not, it is eaten by the other fish, which gains its power (pass on the modifier of the defeated fish).
• If a fish scores its the highest role, it finds a mate and gains new offspring (Get another fresh die).
• If both fish score their highest roll, they become lovers and leave the river together. Leaving two new fish behind to each player.
• If both fish score their lowest roll, the river eats the all fish and they all die (Game Over).

Many things come here, but few ever leave that are in absence of a civilized mind.

The ebb and flow of the river is so very constant. There is never any drought, nor swelling after rain. Perhaps this lack of hardship gives the creatures who lives here such an unnaturally long-lasting life.

Localized Phenomena

Despite their looks, the crimson waters of The River Dread are not directly harmful in any way. Even being absent of the sort of corrupting effect on the local wildlife that you would expect from its stemming from the underworld.
Yet alas, there is always something wrong with these sorts of places. In this case, it is that the waters have the undesirable effect of breaking disembodied magic down into a volatile slurry. Such a substance will spark raw arcane energy against anything it collides with. Due to the dangers of raw magical pollutants, vessels braving the waters of the river require reinforcements to their hull. Lest they suffer it being gnawed away by a myriad of unkept spells.

— Batheridd Duckkmann

While by no means the only river reminiscent of a flowing stream of blood. It is one of the few that has an actively corrupting effect on its environment. Though many would argue that it is better a slow and creeping corruption than a river that melts plate armour, or periodically gets up, and readies for combat. The Former has a much more harmful effect in the long term. Yet the uncanny property of the water enhances to powers of any spell, bringing many people to these shores. All in a mind to mess with things that they simply should not.

— Arader Wetfellow

Fauna & Flora

The River Fed

Hello, this is your pal Snap; And in this week's column, I will be looking at, and eating; Some of the wildlife of The River Dread.
Being a river tracing its origins back to the underworld. Many of that land's creatures have found their way into its "waters". Of these, Ghoul Fish are the most prominent. Supposedly the result of a Ghoul having its body-absent head find its way into the river. Well, there must have been an awful lot of instances of this rather specific action having occurred; As the place is simply teeming with them. However, in more practical terms, their abundance paired with the slight regenerative properties of consuming their flesh; Has made them a strong contender for the most common food source along the river. I can indeed confirm that after eating a reasonable amount of these fish; That it did indeed close a recent cut I received in my last adventure. Unfortunately, it took all manner of spices to mask the natural flavour of what could generously be called a fish.
After this Blood Eels are by no means an uncommon occurrence. Being amphibious means they can find their way into all manner of unlikely places. Curiously enough, they seem to have a "corrupting" presence on any more natural waters they take up residence in. Turning them a more reddish hue similar to the river itself. Despite numerous warnings, I did try some of these, and I must say that they are absolutely delicious.
On a more worryingly, some more normal fish seem to grow to monstrous proportions within the crimson waters of the river. Most particularly Ducksnatchers, or more accurately in this case "Giant Duck Snatchers" are responsible for a great number of deaths among the local populace. Many of the local fisherfolk I have encountered bare the tel-tale signs of trailing claw marks from encounters with these giants. Fortunatly I did come acroos one of these mightly battles. And after safly removing and setting aside the rather startled fisherman from its mouth I had myself a try of one of these monsters fresh from the river itself. After trying it both cooked and raw. I would advise that for those of you that cannot breath fire, that you bring some sort of cooking equipment with you when trying these. As thier taste is cirtainly not suitable for any sort of sahsime.
Lastly, they seem to be some more spectacular fauna dotted around the place, as is expected from a river stemming from the wounds of Mount Dreadmoor. Unfortunately, I was unable to eat any of these. But I did manage to have a very pleasant chat with a young blood dragon, over a local recipe made from some of the locals.
While nothing special, I would say that the foods of The River Dread are well worth a trek for those with a curious pallet. Though sadly I think something I ate during my adventures ended up repeating on me, as I woke several days later with the feeling that something had crawled its way out of my gut. So bare in mind that there may be a little danger before you venture out on your trek.
3.5 / 5 Stars
Well, that is it for this week's article, but be sure to pick up next week's copy where I will be reporting back from my trip to the towering walls of Roam, and how I managed to get my claws on some would-be treasure hunters when I took part as a gust sphinx at the annual Riddleathon.

Yenga Papraggon, Snapdragon Reports.

Most of the foal creatures you will find squatting in these dreadful waters are spawn of the underworld. Fat rotting things that look like they are only just clinging onto their natural life. A life that is no doubt stolen from more godfearing creatures. Why anybody would want to eat any of these horrid offerings is simply beyond me.

— Harbowle Gansfaler {3,302PA}

"In Kingdom of Whommaday; Plant eats you instead."

Natural Resources

Post By Yantra_35x

The Pitch

While the empires of Ahkitha-Nine existed, they failed to notice the power of what was right below their feet. Before life begins anew down there I recommend that we take effort to extract some of the valuable resources they left undisturbed while we still have the chance. In particular, I have detected a high number of Sangua Salient crystals forming at the tail end of a dorment macro-organism.

Risks and Rewards

• 3,300,000 credits to be paid upon completion to each successful participant.
• Local threats are limited to low-level hostile fauna, ghosts and poorly functioning war machines.
• Atmospheric filtration systems are advised.
• Ahkithirial Disturbances have also been detected.

Those accepted will be greeted by a private AAFV that will be leased to them for the duration of their employment. Freelancers will be responsible for their own safety and will be penalized for any unreasonable damage to their ship.
Please reply to the link below to register your interest.
Professional Regards, Yantra Ibbradis - Ibbradis Operations

Teflarni Contract Posting {Date Unavailable}

History

"There is no history that is worth exploring the depths of this place."

— The most likely fictional Captin Narfowle

Tourism

On today's episode of belive it or not, we travel to The River Dread!
{Cue: Spooky Music}
Douglass: Despite devouring most of its nearby cities, it still sees a large number of tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the old ruins it has left below.
Douglass: Intrepid young reporter Hannifer Riceborn is there on the scene. Can you see anything down there Hannifer?
Haniffer: Yes Douglass, as you can see I am here below the red waters over the ruins of Battle City. This is quite a popular location with the tourists that visit these areas on account of the huge fortress that makes up its centre.
Haniffer: Now if you are careful you might be able to catch a glimpse of something moving in the waters, perhaps even the menacing blood dragon that supposedly makes its home here.
Douglass: {Rember to sound intrested} Wow that sounds like quite the dangous adventure.
Haniffer: It is, but luckily for me, my tour guide has assured me that this dragon has already been paid, and not to worry about any unexpected battering of our craft. But you never can be too careful. Only last week a whole submersible had to be pulled out due to an unpleasant encounter with a territorial Smash Fish.
Haniffer: {Discribe your surrounding in a dramatic fashion.}
Douglass: {Adlib about what Haniffer just said.}
Haniffer: Very true Douglass. In fact, I hear that our tour guide has quite a few stories of his own he can tell us about. But first, why don't I tell you about today's competition...

Segment from Belive it or Not {First Aired 4,822PA}

Escape to The River Dread this winter on an exhilarating cruise through its waters. Enjoy the natural warmth given off by the river. Eat local delicacies that will clear up any scraps you may have picked up on your way. And bear witness to the most exciting battle between carnivorous flora and electric mice that you have ever seen!

Just take this promotional unravelling pen with you to any good travel centre to find out more information.

Nothing ever stays at the bottom of this river.

Dangerous Location!

• Large Predatory Fish
• Supernatural Fauna
• Predatory Flora
• High Demonic Presence

Locations

Corruption Level

High

Alternative Name(s)

Vishenyan Blood River, The Red Dead River

Type

River

Location under

Dreadbank

Owner/Ruler

Ashura

Main Biome

Crimson River

Sub Biomes

Crimson Abyss
Crimson Ruins
Organic Incursion
Hungry Willows

"Know that those that step upon the banks of our river, sept upon the garden of Ashura mercy. And know before you come here; That although we act in here image, we do not extend such mercy as an absence from death!"

— Canthillas Warning - Queen Canthilla, Act VI