The Ikena River (pronounced eye-KEN-ah) is a major river in Brightmarch. The two main branches of the river, usually referred to as the North and South Ikena Rivers, begin in the hilly region that separates Brightmarch from the Laqto Rainforest, fed by innumerable smaller rivers and streams that eventually converge. The Ikena meanders through Brightmarch, wide but slow-moving. Most of the lands around the river are marshy grasslands, fern prairies, and low-density woodlands.
The Ikena River is widely traveled, used as an important artery for migration and trade by both the nomadic peoples of Brightmarch and those living in settled communities nearby. Despite its regional importance, aside from the coastal city of Anzili there are few permanent settlements located directly along the river, as the Ikena is known to flood significantly and overflow its banks during the rainy season.
Alligators and other semi-aquatic creatures are common in the Ikena River. Many find perfect hiding places in the reeds and other vegetation that grows along much of the riverbank, potentially posing a hazard for unwary travelers.