The Lifewaters is a major river in Matarsah. The river begins in the mountains of the Shields, joined by many tributaries before it eventually flows out into the Gulf of Timakal. Slow and wide, it winds a long and languishing path across the region. The Lifewaters is central to the life of the river giants of Matarsah, who live in small communities and on houseboats up and down the river. Towards the coast, the river estuary widens into a brackish marsh.