Rivers of Ash and Gold
The Rivers of Ash and Gold are two of the largest rivers in Yura and dominate Sonui, the southernmost Satrapy in Yura. Their names originate from historical events (detailed below), past and present, associated with them. The River of Gold specifically is notable for being spanned by eight large bridges, called The Eight Crossings, which help connect the two sides of Sakngea, Capital of Sonui. The Rivers, despite coming from roughly the same source, are viewed in nearly opposite lights. Despite these opposing views both rivers form an important part of the geography in Sonui, with both rivers being vital to the Satrapy.
Geography
Originating in the Wulan Mountains {The Mountains of Blood} the rivers flow all the way from the mountains to the sea. Their natural flooding allows for Sonui to have access to a large amount of fertile floodplains and the rivers are also heavily irrigated to allow for bountiful harvests nearly year-round. In addition, the origin points of these rivers are also home to a number of spectacular waterfalls, most of which remain partially frozen year-round.
Natural Resources
The water of the River of Gold is nourishing and clear, originating from melting snow high in the Wulan Mountains. Its waters however, due to a large amount of irrigation, are entirely bereft of any type of aquatic life. The high quantity of man-made tributaries makes all aquatic life unable to live in the highly ordered and structured river, although the brackish water that forms as the River of Gold meets the ocean is full of different types of sea-life. The River of Ash is similarly almost entirely bereft of aquatic life, its poisonous water incapable of supporting any kind of ecosystem with one notable exception. Water-snakes, of all types and variety, seem inexpiably drawn to the water, which teems with them.
History
The River of Gold is named after the color of its most commonly transported good, wheat. The River of Gold is the main method of transport for wheat from the inner floodplains of Sonui to Sakngea, from where it is shipped to the rest of Yura. This river also gained its name for the bountiful amount of trade that flows through it and is considered by many to be sacred, blessed and protected by Din Narin {The Queen of Coin}. Therefore, many merchants toss gold coins in the river to thank Din Narin for their prosperity. The River of Ash, on the other hand, has a black, cursed reputation. The River is so named for the deep unusual color of its waters, which even in full daylight appear a dark blue-black. The River of Ash flows through the long abandoned and ruined city of Pal Kali, which was destroyed during the War of Shattered Eggs. The dark magic used to cause the river to flood the city and destroy its inhabitants still suffuses through the water and it is considered by most to be poisonous. Both Pal Kali and the River of Ash are generally avoided by the people of Yura.
Alternative Name(s)
The Twin Rivers, The River of Sorrow (River of Ash), The Wheat River (River of Gold)
Type
River
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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