War correspondent Matt Ellman proposes to Jessie Machalan at a nightclub in Singapore when a suicide bomber detonates an explosion that kills both of them. Later, Matt regains consciousness while submerged in water with no apparent injuries. He arrives on Riverworld, an Earth-like planet created by a blue-skinned alien caretaker race. The planet is 100 times larger than Earth and features a river covering much of its surface. They have resurrected humans from various past ages as pawns between two factions: the Salvationists want to destroy the planet due to its failed experiment, while the Second Chancers seek Matt's assistance. Key characters include Sir Richard Burton (a 19th-century British explorer) and Francisco Pizarro (a 16th-century Spanish conquistador). Matt's team includes Mark Twain with his steamboat Not-for-Hire, Tomoe Gozen (a Japanese female warrior from the 12th century),and German engineer Ludwig Dürr with his dirigible named the Herumfurzeln. When people appear on Riverworld or are resurrected, they return to their original form without scars.
Riverworld
Welcome to Riverworld, an enchanting land where eerie water scenes captivate and the spectral presence of the deceased reigns supreme. While seemingly like a paradise, it could also be perceived as a grim underworld.
