River Rising Wiki

*West Marches, Discord-based campaign; in the D&D 5e system. Text based play by post, Avrae based.*
River Rising is a gratifying progression fantasy D&D game and roleplay group, played in the progression fantasy, or cultivation *xianxia* genre (a form of Chinese high fantasy where characters seek to become immortal beings).

The server is set in Xiaojiang, a homebrew city in Kara-Tur in the Forgotten Realms. However, we do not strictly follow WotC lore about Kara-Tur (it is not as fleshed out as Faerun, anyway). Therefore, in this wikia and in the server, any reference to "Kara-Tur" will be a version of Kara-Tur that is exclusive to our server.

All our art used in this wikia is credited with a link to the artist profile. If you would like to know the artist: click on the image, click on 'More Info', then click 'Artist' for the link to their profile.

Please read our character rules if you are making a character.

## Important articles

Race ReskinsYuxue AllianceLocationsAlignmentYuxue Alliance Factions
## The Meaning of Immortality

River Rising's theme of immortality is not just literal. It also includes immortality as a metaphor. Here are the interpretations of immortality on our server, and how they are treated.

#### Being Remembered Forever

> 人过留名，雁过留声。 -- 《儿女英雄传》
>
>

The majority of adventurers will simply go down in history forever rather than live forever.

OOC, this means that when you retire your character at level 20, they receive a wikia article here detailing their info, the story of their cultivation, and their life story.

#### Actual Immortality

Actual immortality would depend on features, magic items, or spells in the source material that grant it. Since the process of getting magic items is questing / gaining xp and levelling up, which equates to cultivation on the server, it is an instance where cultivation leads to actual immortality as well.

###### *"Do I get an extended life just from levelling up?"*

No. That is reflected as simply gaining life experience and skill in your occupation. To get an extended life, your character must work towards doing so, which means working towards gaining a feature, item or spell.

## Terms

Here is a post explaining *xianxia, wuxia*, or *xuanhuan* terms you might see on the server.

This is a good post explaining the genres!

## Etymology

"River Rising" is an alliteration that alludes to the legend of the koi fish swimming up a river to turn into a dragon. This represents a cultivator's ultimate goal of becoming an immortal being.

The characters in the server icon, 天劫 (tiān jié), means 'heaven's challenge' or 'heaven's punishment'. This is where the heavens or gods give a cultivator a difficult event to overcome, during their attempt or become *xian* or an immortal being.

This is a non-strict/loose translation of "River Rising" that aims to give the same tone to the name of the server: a name that alludes to a challenging progression to immortality.

## Timeline in the Forgotten Realms

We are based in 1492 DR.

Most notable developments relevant to our server, according to this Forgotten Realms wikia article, are:

* Many deities no longer grant *resurrection* spells, except to rare exceptions.
* Mystra imposes heavy restrictions on the use of mind-reading and mind-reaming magic, especially when used on other spellcasters.

The following is a short history of notable events:

1339 DR:

The Eighth Emperor Chin ascends to the throne through the "Gathering of Pearls". After ascending, further plans are set in motion to recover lost artifacts and books. Excavations begin in cities that have been noted as capitals. Old territories to the north and west are brought back under imperial control. The emperor's friends, Kashi Ananda, twin shadows Sakinoor and Fahrid al-Faheem, and Wang Leixi establish the Yuxue Alliance in Xiaojiang.

1349 DR:

The Puissant Department of Joyful Rediscovery charges the Yuxue Alliance with the task of turning Xiaojiang into a hub for the continued excavations in the surrounding areas and a forward base for various military campaigns to the north and west.

1352 DR:

Mysterious warriors from the jungle raid the province of Chu' Yuan. When the province's Governor Kawabi is unable to halt the raids the Emperor sends the Yuxue Alliance to aid him. Later in the year Wang Leixi and Governor Kawabi fight a pitched battle, Governor Kawabi flees to the south and Leixi follows him. They disappear from Shou Lung and are not heard from again.

1358 DR:

Time of Troubles. For three months in the summer magical and natural chaos ensues, none are able to divine the cause. Then, suddenly, the chaos disappears, though it does leave its mark in the form of wild and dead magic zones scattered throughout the lands. Interestingly, during this period and ever since,  the Temples and shukenja are unable to contact the Nine Immortals.

1359 DR:

The Tuigan breech the Dragonwall and invade Shou Lung, and the Yuxue Alliance is called in to help defend it. After a hard fought campaign a truce is declared, in exchange for the lives of the ministers of War and State Yamun Khahan departs from Shou Lung. The Minister of State Security is discovered to be a traitor, working for the Tuigan. The Mandrinate goes into an uproar as no less then three of the Emperor's top minister positions are left open. This results in the appointment of Wang Ciuxin, Leixi's mother as chancellor over all ministers and gives this position considerable influence.

For the next few decades, the Yuxue Alliance continues to become ever more influential and a key part of Shou Lung's military might.

1460 DR:

Wang leads an investigation into reports of a planned coup within the leadership of the Yuxue Alliance. All three remaining founders are found guilty of treason and executed. Wang then appoints a 15-member High Committee of apotheosis cultivators, led by Kuma.

1480 DR:

The Eighth Emperor Chin dies in a hunting accident. His grandson becomes the Ninth Emperor Chin. The deceased emperor is given the deific name Yeh T'u (Hare), giving rise to speculation that he was assassinated by a jealous relative.

## Trivia

- Our wikia's dark and light themes are inspired by the colours of the Blood and Snow factions!

- Banner illustration by HGJart. Icons and banner edit by \_\_lemondew.

## River Rising

### First released

21st October 2021 (conception and creation)12th of January, 2022 (soft launch)

### Genre

TTRPG, xianxia, wuxia, progression fantasy, high fantasy

### Directed by

Yefan#9736, steamed#7949, Nanashi#7303, Storybored#0001, Ryu Ikkin#9861

### Language

Mainly English.There are bits of Chinese accompanied by romanisation or translations.