Pa'Gille River

Pa'Gille River by tumblr user @thewatchau

Location of Pa'Gille River in Duilintinn by tumblr user @thewatchau

The Pa’Gille River originates from the same source as the Agrona River on the southern slopes of the Northern Mountains, before a large rock formation on the mountainside splits the water into two separate streams, sending the  Agrona to the southwest and the Pa’Gille to the east, where it makes its way through northern Duilintinn into the Cuartalan Wetlands and Eastern Sea.

## Name Origin

Prior to Duilintinn’s founding, the Pa’Gille River was simply known as the “Mountain River,” named uncreatively by the Waldren colonizers who occupied the region after the year 1000. The original Feadhainn name was lost to history, so in honor of House Brody’s founding in 1592, the river was renamed “Pa’Gille.”

“Pa’Gille” is a shortened version of “Pá a’ Gille,” which roughly translates to “Dad of Boy.” This popular legend of an aging hero trying to guide his son away from repeating his mistakes was a favorite of Lord Brody’s children, who helped their father name many of the landmarks in their new home.

However, Lady Brody took the children and fled the kingdom long ago, and Lord Brody has been left as a father without children for many years now (assuming he still lives). Despite the cruel irony of its name, the Pa’Gille River continues to flow through House Brody as a reminder that life goes on in the face of tragedy. Rivers will continue to flow even when the names we give them lose all meaning. In a way, it is an inspiration to the people of House Brody, just as they are an inspiration to the rest of the kingdom.

## Geography and Ecology

The water of the Pa'Gille River is crystal clear, rapid, and cold as it meanders its way down from the mountains and through the northern farmlands of Duilintinn’s House Brody. The rapids are most intense where the river flows down the Beinnfaire Ridge, featuring small white falls and downright dangerous currents in places. However, after reaching the base of the ridge, the river slows and widens to feed into the fertile Cuartalan Wetlands.

Fish such as salmon and bass are abundant in the rushing mountain waters near the river’s source, while the land surrounding the wider floodplains of the river is fertile and abundant with wild plants and agriculture.

## Crossings

The only two major crossings over the Pa’Gille River are  the main bridge north of Aghaboy and the crossing at the westernmost edge of the Cuartalan Wetlands. Most people will use the Aghaboy bridge to reach the Northern Mountains west of the Beinnfaire Ridge, while the Cuartalan Wetlands crossing is used to access the parts of the mountains to the east, such as the Pa’Gille Caverns Outpost of The Watch.

Historically, the eastern crossing had no bridge or infrastructure; rather, it was the best place to ford the river between the rapids along the Beinnfaire Ridge and the marshlands of the Cuartalan Wetlands. However, when the Pa’Gille Caverns were constructed after for The Watch between 1599 and 1603, a bridge was constructed as well, allowing Watchers to cross quickly without worrying about whether conditions would allow them to ford the river.

## Mountain Pass

There’s a pass through the Northern Mountains into Haneul by the source of the Pa'Gille River and Agrona River, accessible via the Agrona Bastion. It’s incredibly difficult to navigate, especially with any sort of heavy cargo. Only messengers between the two kingdoms consistently use this route through the mountains, and even then, it’s usually still more efficient to travel by sea like everyone else. However, during the winter, when the coast of Duilintinn is wracked with devastating storms that prevent any ships from leaving or entering the harbor without serious risk of being dashed upon the rocks, the mountain pass is actually a safer route between Haneul and Duilintinn, despite the snow and hazardous conditions.

## Trivia

The story of the aging hero is inspired heavily by the narrative of the video game God of War, which released in 2018 for the PS4 and was a popular game played by the AU’s inspiration and source material, Sean McLoughlin.