Guardian River

Guardian River by tumblr user @thewatchau

Location of the Guardian River in Duilintinn by tumblr user @thewatchau

The Guardian River originates in the northern slopes of the Southern Mountains and flows in a slow, meandering path across the otherwise dry and arid Monaidh Plains, Beinnfaire Ridge, and Coastal Plains of the Feadhainn Valley, eventually meeting the Eastern Sea.

The section of the Guardian River that passes through Duilintinn’s Coastal Plain is also considered the southern border of the Cuartalan Wetlands and marks the geopolitical border between House Schneeplestein and House Brody.

## Name Origin

The Guardian River was originally called the River Gléidhidh, which means “guardian” in the Feadhainn Language. This name traces back into legend and myth. Many tales have been told of the griffon named Ico and his young human ally. The tale, told to a young Lord Jackie during his vigilante years, inspired him to take the griffon as the symbol of his house, in honor of that “guardian” of legend.

The name also has significance in the modern day. When King Sean created House Jackie, he tasked them with protecting Duilintinn and keeping the peace. The Guardian River ended up playing a large role in that task. Despite its slow pace, many members of the Guard Coalition find it quicker and easier to take boats down the river in order to reach other parts of the kingdom and do their duty. As a result, the fact that the only major natural landmark in House Jackie is named “guardian” is kinda perfect.

## History

The Guardian River has played a significant role in the history of Duilintinn’s minority people groups. The city of Noefrach has exerted considerable control over the river since the Feadhainn Era, with several dams and channels that allow the city’s occupants to control the river’s flow. Since the Guardian River is the only major body of water in the eastern half of the Monaidh Plains, this granted those who held the city a powerful bargaining chip against any empires who would try to meddle in their affairs. This became especially true after the Waldren Occupation caused severe deforestation in the Monaidh Plains, transforming the plateau into an arid grassland that required heavy irrigation to cultivate.

However, this did not stop the peoples of the mountains, who only benefited from the river if they were in direct control of Noefrach, from vying to hold the city for themselves. This conflict came to a head during the Interim Years, where the constant cycles of power in the lowlands added new complications to Noefrach’s system and provided unique opportunities for new parties to take the city and control of the Guardian River for themselves. This conflict would continue until the Quest for Duilintinn, which marked the end of the lowland power struggles and shifted the politics of the Feadhainn Valley back towards a more unified system once again.

Today, the river still plays a powerful and significant role for the peoples of Duilintinn. Noefrach’s location on top of the river led it to be named the capital of the newly founded House Jameson in 1602. The easternmost segment of the river forms the geopolitical border between House Schneeplestein and House Brody. Several of its larger tributaries provide water to some of Duilintinn’s most significant locations, including Cordoire and Fort Stiofán.

## Geography

Most of the water in the Guardian River comes from snowmelt in the Southern Mountains and the near constant rainfall of the mountain foothills. In addition, many smaller bodies of water in the Monaidh Plains and Coastal Plains flow into the Guardian River as tributaries, widening the river as it travels east. Famous examples include the Stiofán Tributary, which supplies water to Fort Stiofán, and the Cordoire Tributary, which is used to fill the city’s moats. The Cuartalan Wetlands also play a minor role in the river’s water supply, as water from the estuary sometimes flows into the river during times of flooding.

The current of the Guardian River varies depending on its location. It cuts a rapid path through the foothills of the Southern Mountains before slowing and widening significantly as it passes through the Monaidh Plains. The current intensifies once again as the river flows down the Beinnfaire Ridge and crosses the Coastal Plains, but remains approximately the same width thanks to the Cuartalan Wetlands on its northern banks.

Finally, the river flows into the Eastern Sea at a point roughly 15 miles north of Loch Domhainn, forming the northern edge of the Domhainn Peninsula.

## Crossing and Travel

The Guardian River is the only major body of water in the eastern half of the Monaidh Plains, allowing for limited farming and irrigation in the arid grassland.

One of the major roads leading to the capital city of Cordoire runs along the river’s banks, and its slow, wide, and smooth current is often used to travel over the region via boat.

At least five large bridges connecting major roads have been constructed along the river, and there are several points where the river is safe to ford across as well.

## Trivia

The meta reason why the river is referred to by its name in the Common Tongue, unlike almost every other natural landmark in Duilintinn, is because I misspelled it so often, I eventually could no longer identify which one was the original correct spelling.

Much of the historical details regarding the Guardian River are still very vague and underdeveloped. Much of the lore of this AU has focused heavily on larger powers such as trading companies and ancient empires, but I do want to take the time to eventually flesh out the indigenous elements of the Feadhainn Valley and her history as well. This is only a taste of the general direction this development will go, and will hopefully become more nuanced over time.

The South Downs of the United Kingdom are one of the most significant real-world geographical references for the natural landmarks of eastern Duilintinn, from the Beinnfaire Ridge, to the Coastal Plains, to the Iolla Cliffs. The Guardian River is very similar to the River Arun, with its smooth surface and accessibility for small boats. However, the Guardian River is much bigger than the River Arun, which is probably closer in size to some of the Guardian’s larger tributaries.