Overview
Shanari is an island nation north of Thundermarch and the homeland of Kazehiro and Arashiiwa. Its capital is Hanamizu, where Renneth and Maric make contact during their post-cycle diplomatic mission from Xalmyrra.
Shanari has long avoided regular contact with mainland Valrindor because the ocean crossing is difficult and because Nerissa's wielder keeps its people away from mainland affairs. The island still knows of mainland nations such as Thundermarch, Shaoying, and the Blackcrag Dominion.
Geography and Trade
Shanari lies north of Thundermarch, near Thiravos and Theryssa, and both nations trade with it. Its ocean crossing is arduous enough that regular mainland diplomacy depends on faster airships.
Thiravosi myth places Shanari among the islands formed when a wielder of Nerissa reshaped a larger continent into smaller islands. Shanari's unusual coastline and inland sand layers match that account.
Hanamizu
Hanamizu is Shanari's capital. Its harbor has long ocean bridges, bulky timber ships, fishing boats, and light windships powered by air mages. The city is built from painted timber, with red-and-black rooftops, essence lanterns, wide streets, gardens, ponds, smaller waterways, and pink-blossomed trees.
Hanamizu is led by a clan leader. Arashiiwa holds that title during Renneth and Maric's visit, receives outsiders in the clan building, and speaks for Hanamizu's interest in renewed contact with mainland Valrindor.
History
Before Renneth and Maric arrive, a group acting on behalf of Eremion tries to enter Hanamizu during the Maraveth War. Hanamizu's divine detectors catch them, and the city made no agreement with the scouts. Nerissa's wielder then keeps Hanamizu's people away from the mainland.
During Renneth and Maric's visit, Kazehiro guides them to Hanamizu, Arashiiwa hosts them, and Kazehiro volunteers to explore mainland Valrindor on Shanari's behalf. Renneth and Maric stay several days before Renneth senses Nerissa's waterlike essence near Maric and follows its trail toward Thiravos and Theryssa.
When Nerissa and Gabriel pressure the island nations into action against Xalmyrra, the skyship force travels along the coast to Pelagos and then to Shanari. Arashiiwa and some of his clansmen are picked up from Shanari after he initially declines, and Gabriel redirects the force toward Erenmyr.