Overview
Hanamizu is the capital city of Shanari, an island nation north of Thundermarch. Kazehiro brings Renneth, Maric, Gin, and Spin there after meeting them at sea, making the city their first sustained contact with Shanari.
Cityscape
Hanamizu is a coastal city built mostly from painted timber. Its low buildings have red-and-black rooftops and deep overhangs, and essence lanterns light the harbor and streets. Long bridges reach out into the ocean among fishing boats, bulky timber ships, and smaller windships made from light materials and powered by air mages.
Inside the city are wide streets, gardens, ponds, smaller waterways, and large pink-blossomed trees. Arashiiwa receives guests in a large black timber clan building decorated with gold and red at the entrance, with low tables, mats, guest chambers, and a nearby garden or courtyard.
People and Defenses
Arashiiwa is the clan leader of Hanamizu. He receives Renneth and Maric formally, hosts them in guest chambers, and speaks for Hanamizu's interest in diplomatic contact with mainland Valrindor. Hanamizu's people keep their distance from unfamiliar outsiders until Kazehiro introduces them as his guests. Accepted visitors receive formal hospitality and guest chambers.
Hanamizu is protected by essence detectors made from modified divine spells. The detectors catch a previous scout group acting on behalf of Eremion and react to Renneth's half-god essence, drawing white-robed mages or guards to him. A waterlike being reaches Maric inside the clan building at night, then leaves a trail toward Nerissa's moving island and the gate to Pelagos.
History
Before Renneth and Maric arrive, a group from mainland Valrindor tries to enter Hanamizu on behalf of Eremion during the Maraveth War. Hanamizu's detectors catch them, and Nerissa's wielder keeps the city away from mainland affairs.
During Renneth and Maric's visit, Hanamizu begins diplomatic contact with Xalmyrra and mainland Valrindor. Hanamizu is interested in diplomacy if the ocean crossing can be solved, and Kazehiro volunteers to explore mainland Valrindor on Shanari's behalf. Renneth and Maric stay several days. Maric builds relationships, Renneth trains with Hanamizu clansmen, and they leave after Renneth senses the waterlike being near Maric and follows its trail toward the ocean.
Kazehiro later reaches Thalassai and traces his mainland travels back to Hanamizu receiving Renneth and Maric's Xalmyrran delegation.