The River Riwen is the longest river in northern Kessix, and travels from the far west, near the black river, to the coast of the Iksandi sea in the east. River Riwen is very important to all of Iksand, carrying goods from the western regions to the capitol. It is the home of the Riweni people
The Riwen's source is the Kirue Lake, found in eastern Redfire about 100 miles from the Black River's path. During it's long path to Dravos, it runs through several major cities, including the Red Fortress and Glensey. It is joined by two large tributaries, the Mirror River and the Dragonblood River. The river is on average 140 meters wide. At it's smallest point, St. Ruth's Strait, it is only 50 meters wide, and at it's largest it is 200 meters. There are a total of seventy bridges crossing the river. Much of the area around the river is floodplain or riparian woodland. At the headwaters of the river, magic-infused water appears to glow at night in an effect similar to bioluminescent algae blooms, and as such it has become the source of many myths.
The Riwen runs through many notable trading cities, and the tributaries connect it to even more. The most notable are Glensey, Upper Dragonwatch, Mirine, and Dravos at it's mouth. Many different materials are moved by the river every day, including iron, wheat, animals, and wood. The ships in use are typically trading-class sloops, but small warships are used to guard goods and carry soldiers in times of tension. The head and mouth of the river are in Iksandi territory, but the middle of the river is controlled by various Riweni groups, many of whom require tolls to pass in order to pay reparations for the Iksandi-Riweni conflicts.
The Riwen River is prominent in Magefolk legends as being made of the essence of the old gods. The Kirue Lake is said to be the site of the famous battle between magefolk and deities, and so the blood of gods flows in the water. The Riweni people live off of the many resources found in the river, such as the many kinds of fish and plentiful clay. The Riweni were the first to develop agriculture in northern Kessix, before Iksandi farming took hold. The river has been a source of conflict many times in Iksandi History. During the warring age of Iksand, the lords and ladies fought for control of the riverside, with the Iksandi Empire taking control of the River Riwen and its people. The Riweni fought hard to keep their land, and rebelled, driving much of the empire's forces out of a large section of the river.