Khephnār
“The Khephnār would not be easy to cross either. Its fords are few and swift.”
-Jace in The House of Regimen, “Runes Most Foul”
The Khephnār or the Watchwater is a fast-flowing river that runs from the Fell Mountains through western Drakhor into the White Sea. From where it bends towards the west up to the sea, the Watchwater is considered to be the border between Relkor and the Far North. The Watchwater’s brother is Termos in the east, which separates eastern Rhusagos from the Far North.
History
After the First War, the Elder Children raised guard towers and fortifications along its southern banks, fearing Zhē Drūmor’s old realm; but long ago their vigil grew lax, believing the peril to have ended, and the towers were deserted and fell into disrepair.
The party crossed the Watchwater on their journey into the Far North. Shiv Mathor transported all their gear across the river upon a magic platform, but nearly dropped it into the river at the halfway mark.
Etymology
The English translation Watchwater is a calque of the Classical Paternic name Khephnār, which comes from kekheph, kheph (“watch, remain awake”) and -nār (“toponymic suffix for bodies of water”)