No system-specific stats or saves
No fixed quantities
No final outcomes that bypass adjudication
Must imply logistical pressure
Must be readable at a glance and memorable
Must tolerate repetition
FEYWATER
THE RIVERS OF BRINEMARCH
All rivers in Brinemarch are Feywater. There are no known exceptions.
River travel is swift, social, and unreliable. Canoes move easily, but outcomes rarely match intention. The river is not hostile by default, but it is opinionated.
- The water provides. Relief, shelter, or opportunity appears unexpectedly.
- The water takes. Provisions, tools, or certainty quietly slip away.
- The water refracts. Distance and direction differ from expectation.
- The water remembers the way. Rivers persist while roads and landmarks wash away.
- The water hosts witnesses. Animals, scouts, or travelers appear briefly, without context.
- The water confuses blame. Cause and effect tangle; responsibility is unclear.
TRAVEL BY CANOE ON FEYWATER (d6)
Roll when river travel is risky, rushed, obstructed, or when the referee wants the river to assert itself.
Favorite of the Current
The canoe moves swiftly and cleanly. The party reaches shelter, a landing, or a find they would not have reached otherwise.Damp Complication
Spray, rain, or a sudden swell soaks the canoe. Perishable goods, cordage, and tempers suffer. The effects are noticed later.Wait for the Way
A herd, fallen trees, ice, debris, or shifting banks force a halt. Progress requires noise, time, or attention.Something Moves Beneath
Ripples, shadows, or a sudden strike against the hull. The danger is real, but its intent is unclear. 1d6: crocodile, giant carp, otters, snake, raptor, player choice.Watched from the Bank
Animals, scouts, or travelers observe the passage in silence. They do not interfere now.The River Tips the Canoe
Chaos, separation, and confusion. When the party regroups, something is missing, something is gained, or something has changed.
BREAKING POINTS
Invoke Feywater when:
- a canoe overturns or scrapes bottom
- a flooded hex is entered or crossed
- customs were insincere or ignored
- the party makes demands of the river
At a breaking point, roll on the table above or choose an entry that fits the moment.
Adjudication should favor confusion, exchange, and lingering consequence over clarity or balance.