Overview
The River of Eternity is the source-fed river that flows through Zarephon in the Plains of Eternity. The Oracles of Eternity place their capital beside the river and the source. Oracle prophecies come from the source and the river, whose waters carry dense essence from the origin flow of magic into the Oracle capital.
The river marks the route into the source mountain for armies and shard wielders. Myrravel, Ulzathir, and Rahmavir send armies toward it; Raphael's faction holds Zarephon around it; and Eira, Kaelion, and Xarion later descend through the cave route to close the breach.
Geography
The River of Eternity flows out from the source cave in the mountain at the back of Zarephon. The source lies at the bottom of a deep lake inside the mountain cave, where dense white essence flows from the breach, pools on the lake floor, and is carried outward by the river. The cave route follows the river through walls lit by essence veins and small streams of liquid essence.
Routes through the Plains connect the river approach with Lake Eternity, Myriandel, and Zarephon. During the Ulzathir-Myrravel march toward the source, a wide road leads toward the River of Eternity, and the river forms a shining course snaking up hills toward massive mountains. The source lies near the top of that river route, deep inside the mountains. Lake Eternity connects to the same waters: a wide river opens into the lake, and a large river flows out from it toward Ereshval waters.
History
During Eira's early visit to the still-developing Plains, she follows the river into the mountain cave. The cave contains the deep lake and the source breach that feeds the river and intensifies the surrounding essence.
Oracle prophecies come from the source and the River of Eternity, and the Oracle capital stands around both.
During the Ulzathir-Myrravel march toward the source, Myrravel and forces from Ulzathir move around Lake Eternity. Rahmavir advances from the opposite side, and both armies are expected to converge near the River of Eternity. A maintained road leads toward the river, and Thamrielle follows the lake and river route toward the mountains in an attempt to seize the source.
After Rahmavir and Raphael's faction take Zarephon, the river remains dense with essence. The source flow begins to weaken. Nero travels on the River of Eternity. During Eira, Kaelion, and Xarion's descent to close the breach, Nero guards against anyone approaching the source cave through the river.
When Zarephon is devastated, destroyed earth momentarily stills the River of Eternity, severs its flow near the ruined city, and leaves an empty trail where its water once ran. The Celestial Games also include drinking from the river among the extreme proposed challenges.