Kald River

The Kald River is the kingdom’s defining waterway, rising near Noron’s Keep in the Sorkin Mountains and flowing south and west through the heart of Kaldor before passing through the Chelna Gap into Chelmarch. The river valley is rich and fertile, and gives the kingdom its name. The Kald is navigable by barge from Tashal downstream.

Course

From its source near Noron’s Keep in the northern Sorkins, the Kald flows south through upper Nephshire, then southwest through Semethshire (Endrunel Hundred straddles the river at its widest). It passes Tashal, then continues south through Balimshire (Miona and Niremos hundreds; the Kald forms the western boundary of Niremos Hundred), and through the Chelna Gap into Chelmarch.

Crossings

• Sethela Ford — where Noron’s Way crosses the Sethela Stream at its confluence with the Kald, near Noron’s Keep. A toll collection point.
• A second crossing of the Kald lies two leagues east of Sethela Ford on Noron’s Way.
• Alwynn’s Bridge — a makeshift crossing at the downstream end of Barsothe Falls. A series of low rock pilings placed by the legendary Jarin craftsman Alwynn; during the Taelda moot, rough planks are laid between the rocks.
• Elendsa Bridge — a stone bridge at Olokand, built 562 TR. Standard tolls are levied; the Mesel Gate is closed from dusk to dawn.

Barsothe Falls

A three-tier cascade (70 ft + 30 ft + 20 ft) several leagues downstream of Noron’s Keep. The water spirit Uvien is said to inhabit the falls pool. The site is sacred to the Taelda.

Settlements

• Noron’s Keep — near the source, eastern bank
• Olokand — western bank, guards Elendsa Bridge
• Tashal — at the confluence with the Shem River, both banks
• Kiban — at the confluence with the Nephen River
• Querina — west of the Kald (Bredan Hundred)
• Tyan — moot seat of Niremos Hundred, east bank
• Settlements in Nelafayn Hundred (Abriel, Yaltako) along the Kald

Confluences

• Sethela Stream empties into the Kald at Sethela Ford
• Shem River joins at Tashal
• Meral River joins south of Olokand
• Nephen River joins at Kiban

See Also

Shem River, Nephen River, Meral River, Elendsa Bridge, Naniom Bridge, Noron’s Keep, Fur Road, Salt Route