Haruhana River (HAH-rue-HAH-nah)

The Haruhana river is one of the largest rivers in the world and is an important part of many myths from Nishigo, Rushlinna. Very few settlements are located on its banks due to legend and superstition. Haruhana is a common area for Nishigoan Aqualings to practice at.

Geography

The Haruhana river is located in southern Nishigo and cuts across the western half of the area. It runs for 113 miles, originating from a spring several miles away from any settlements and flowing downriver until it meets the ocean. It has been measured at 450 feet deep at its lowest point and is almost a mile wide at its widest point. Within 2 miles from the river's source, the river starts to narrow until it resembles a stream.
The geography of the shore is irregular, with some areas sloping gradually to meet the water and others dropping off several feet above the river. The river flows mostly straight, with some curves and twists. Its path does not change drastically. There are no settlements or human-made structures within 1000 feet of the shore thanks to superstition influencing imperial laws.
The movement of the water may change depending on how often Aqualings practice there.

A small waterfall near the river's source

Localized Phenomena

Although countless stories would wax poetic about how Haruhana's waters cure any illness or are actually the tears of a death goddess, there really isn't anything that special about the river except the fact that it's very deep and people just happen to disappear there every now and then.
The disappearances have happened for hundreds of years, causing numerous myths to spring up about its creation and properties. Followers of many religions have come to meditate and pray by the river, hoping for inspiration to solve the mystery. As of currently, no proven solutions have been found.

Fauna & Flora

A shallow part of the Haruhana

The river itself is known to host several species of fish, while the countryside beside it is the habitat of a variety of creatures and plants. The spring at the start of the river is surrounded by cherry trees and has a large population of birds, particularly songbirds, although leading up to it is a rather thick forest with rocks and steep inclines. The shoreline where it flows into the ocean is known to have crabs, turtles, and seagulls. The banks of the river occasionally have trees and bushes, but most of the area is cleared out, with a gorgeous view of the distant mountains and the wildflowers in the fields.

History

As long as Nishigo has been populated, no one has built towns close to the banks of the Haruhana. The river seems to whisper that it would be a bad idea, and Nishigoans are rather superstitious. Not to mention the disappearances of numerous people who visited the river alone. The disappearances have happened for hundreds of years, and no one knows the cause. Theories abound, but none are confirmed.
In the year 1283 AEA, Emperor Shinobu Hori decreed that no building or settlements could be built within 1000 feet of the river's banks. This law applied to everyone, whether foreign, native, royal, or peasant. No emperor has attempted to change that law.

Tourism

Haruhana is a popular destination for pilgrims who believe in the legends told about the river. They come every year to bathe in its waters and ask favors of the heroes and gods who feature in the river's mythology. The Nishigoan emperor has forbidden the pilgrims from building lodging on the banks of the Haruhana but has allowed temples to be built 1000 feet away from the shoreline.
The river is also the place where many Nishigoan Aqualings go to practice their power. Only the wealthy or locals are able to get there easily due to the lack of nearby towns. Poorer Aqualings have managed to get to the river with a combination of determination, talent, and pure luck. These poor Aqualings are also likely to gain apprenticeships after they reach the river because once people hear about how you crossed half a country on foot to try and practice at this particular river, they are seriously impressed.

Alternative Name(s)

River of souls; Matsu's grave

Type

River

Location under

Nishigoan Islands

Owning Organization

Nishigo

Matsu's Grave

Two hundred years before Emperor Shinobu Hori outlawed the construction of any and all buildings closer than 1000 feet from the banks, two young men decided to explore the Haruhana river. According to legend, their names were Touma and Matsu. Touma was an Aqualing, and Matsu a Stormer. As the two journeyed, Matsu began to make strange observations about the river. One of his alleged remarks was "Those children sound so sad," when no one else was in sight.
The boys traveled farther up the river, documenting their progress on spare pieces of paper. These notes were used to create the first complete map of the Haruhana. The closer they got to the source, the more disturbing Matsu's comments became. Touma was once awoken by Matsu shaking him desperately and pleading that "the monsters" were coming. Touma tried to investigate but found nothing.

Those women need help. But we cannot reach them.

— One of Matsu's chilling remarks.

Finally, the two made it less than a mile from the source point. Concerned for his friend's sanity, Touma suggested that Matsu remain there and wait for Touma to return. Matsu put up a fight but eventually conceded on the condition that he build a small pier at the edge of the water. Touma continued on alone until he found and documented the spring where the river originated. When he returned to where he left Matsu less than six hours before, the man was gone.
Touma searched the riverbank, calling for his missing friend. The only trace he found of Matsu was a simple platform leading into the water, on which rested Matsu's hiking pack. Touma used his power to search the river, and supposedly encountered a sinister presence that caused him to flee from the spot. When questioned after his return, Touma declared that Matsu was definitely not alive. Multiple search parties attempted to find the boy's body, but none were successful. To this day, the entire river and especially the area close to the spring source is also called Matsu's grave. The platform that Matsu built is a common spot for pilgrims to visit.

Pilgrims at Matsu's platform