Magical Swells
Among the many terrain types that Wandering Wilds may take on, the rivers are most dangerous to the settlements nearby. Most terrains are generally unmoving beyond the transformation shifts, but the currents of the river are not contained to the boundaries of the wandering wild. They often sweep into the surrounding lands, and if there is a settlement nearby, it may be swept up into the unpredictable currents.
River terrains can form in any configuration, so it is difficult to predict which way the river will move when such a terrain forms. Rivers in the wild are typically fed by some underground source, likely magically generated, and sprout from more central locations, then drifting off in one to several directions. There are few cities that exist right on the boundary of the wandering wilds, and even less on the boundaries of wilds that frequently have river terrains. But the currents of the rivers are often so strong that water can spill out for miles past the boundaries.
These waters are especially magically potent, likely because they are magically generated, and cause severe distortions to the land it seeps into. Results are varied, ranging from death to all plants to an abundant regrowth, but the results are somewhat consistent from a particular wild. Many theorize that the type of effect comes from the type of arcane magic at its center, but it is unable to be proven because of the inaccessibility of river terrains.
On occasion, a river flow has been so strong that it carries to a nearby city. This can have devastating effects on both the city landscape as well as the people who are touched by it. It has been known to cause diseases, malformations, but also healing or strengthening effects. Some have been known to bottle such waters at their own great risk and sell it on the magical black markets, but using these waters can be risky, and the use of them have been known to cause @dag.
River terrains can form in any configuration, so it is difficult to predict which way the river will move when such a terrain forms. Rivers in the wild are typically fed by some underground source, likely magically generated, and sprout from more central locations, then drifting off in one to several directions. There are few cities that exist right on the boundary of the wandering wilds, and even less on the boundaries of wilds that frequently have river terrains. But the currents of the rivers are often so strong that water can spill out for miles past the boundaries.
These waters are especially magically potent, likely because they are magically generated, and cause severe distortions to the land it seeps into. Results are varied, ranging from death to all plants to an abundant regrowth, but the results are somewhat consistent from a particular wild. Many theorize that the type of effect comes from the type of arcane magic at its center, but it is unable to be proven because of the inaccessibility of river terrains.
On occasion, a river flow has been so strong that it carries to a nearby city. This can have devastating effects on both the city landscape as well as the people who are touched by it. It has been known to cause diseases, malformations, but also healing or strengthening effects. Some have been known to bottle such waters at their own great risk and sell it on the magical black markets, but using these waters can be risky, and the use of them have been known to cause @dag.
Type
Metaphysical, Arcane
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
I do like the detail that there's a black market for this stuff, seems like a logical thing to happen when people have magic growth water. I'm curious if any attempts were made to get fields growing nearby the wandering wilds and try to flow the rivers nearby/into it. If the effects are somewhat consistent, it seems an ideal method to get your crops growing. Unless of course whatever condition it causes (seems to be atm an incomplete link) makes any food made with it dangerous to eat. Great article none the less!