Kalambour

The **Republic of Kalambour** is a nation located at central Randros.

To the south of Kalambour are the republic of Turimbo and the continent of Rifandi, and it is located to the east of Hothro and Ardesch.

Its capital is the city of Kalambour. Other notable towns include Nutharus, a former industrial town renowned for its bazaars and theatres.

## Flag and symbols

The National Flag of the Republic of Kalambour is an almost-rectangular banner with two stripes and two bands, representing its geographical features: yellow for the deserts of the north, blue for its main rivers and lakes, green for the fertile wetlands and jungles of the south, and black for its volcanic mountains.

Kalambour's national saint is Anahita, the Yazata (archangel) of water. She is honoured by the rivers that provide Kalambour its moisture.

## History

### Sixteenth Age

In the Sixteenth Age, Kalambour was the heartland of the empire of Minastan, founded by a wayward Zarijanian prince who formed his own nation. When Minastan declined, it fell to military juntas, and descended into a fascistic regime.

Its vassal to the south was the restive region of Tulon, a jungle nation that converted to a Palguenian monotheist sect known as the Lightbearers. The Lightbearers were notorious for their excessively-rude attitude and heavy censorship, which led to an army of movie fans nearly expelling or killing off much of the converts for their militaristic destruction of the traditional culture.

The Minastanians were notorious for destroying food supplies and cargo during a worldwide food crisis. They claimed that they wanted to force other countries to stop attacking them, or the other lands will only have themselves to blame if everyone else starves to death. For that reason, the Terran league known as the Great Renewal bombarded Minastan, exterminating much of the country.

### Modern era

At some point, the Zarijanian settlers of the land seceded from their motherland to establish a republic, breaking away from the Great Game.

This country was conquered by the Thralondian Empire, forced to build its war machines and zeppelins. Nonetheless, several knightly orders dedicated to its God, Auromazda, led resistance movements against the Minotaur God's legions. With help from Verucci and their Hothrovian allies, they liberated the country from the Thralondian authorities.

## Geography

The main river that sustains the country and divides it between the arid desert in the north and the mountainous jungles of the south is the Abjori River, which is represented as a blue line in the flag.

The mountains of the south are volcanic.

* Kalambour City, Bandar-e-Kalambur
* Nutarus
* Shahbandar

## Economy

Kalambour's economy is built by mining, manufacturing, and a thriving filming industry.

That country is also known for its tropical fruit, pilaf rice, and bread.

## Culture

See also: Kalambouri glossary

Kalambour has also become an attractive destination for filmmakers from various richer countries -- especially Marnos -- who rent any of its thousand of studios to make some scenic (or generic) blockbuster films of their own.

On one end, Kalambouris like to celebrate some elements of foreign pop culture, from Zomjonor's Birthday and Kolieda (Christmas in our world), to rock concerts and fast food.

On the other, there's an ongoing debate on whether should Kalambouri society permit some people (not just foreigners) to celebrate the first-ever "pride parade" in centuries, as footage from such observances in foreign countries had been treated as humourous Internet memes in Kalambouri websites. Reasons for the absence of "pride parades" include social attitudes and the centuries of war with other powerful countries followed by the Thralondians' dictatorial rule.

## Religion

Kalambour is among a handful of monotheist countries in the world, such as Gimbarish, Qogandra, and Bivos. They practice the Mazdajasna religion as taught by the ancient prophet Zarathushtra, they refer their God as "Ohrmazda" or "Auromazda" and pray towards Him and His celestials, the *jazatas*. However, their religion is not strictly enforced and freedom of religion (including atheism, which is more common in the cities) is practiced throughout all of Kalambour's provinces.

The archangel Anahita, who represents water, is the patron angel of Kalambour, as she represents the rivers that sustain the country and prevent it from becoming a barren desert scorched by flowing lava. The festival of Abanagan is held at the eighth day of the month of Aban (on October) in honour of her. Among the traditions held to celebrate Abanagan include prayers and hymns to God for a year of rain, and leaving flowers and sweet milk to the river. Lanterns designed in the shape of water lilies (the sacred flower of Aban) are hung as decorations.

The volcanic mountains along the south are venerated as holy sites, as they are associated with fire.

### Holy figures

* Ormazd - God Almighty, the Creator of all things.
* Amerda Spendas - the Archangels. Their names in Kalambouri are: Spenda Manjo, Voimano, Ardavis, Ksasevrēja, Spendamredjo, Aordato, and Amurdan.
* Spenda Manjo - Spenta Mainyu, protector of people.
* Voimano - Vohu Manah, protector of animals and guardian of the mind and decisions. Also the angel of excellent thinking and sapience, who confiscates wisdom from evildoers and bestows intelligence to the good.
* Ardavis - Arta Vahishta, protector of fire, natural lights, the sun, and wisdom itself.
* Ksasevrēja - Khshathra Vairya, protector of metals and minerals. In Kalambour, also the angel of architecture, industry, machines, and technology. The similarity of the angel's name with the country of Sevraeja caused Kalambouris to claim that Ksasevrēja is also the guardian angel of that Slavic country; in turn, Sevraejans sometimes associate him with Svarog, their god of the forge and technology.
* Spendamredjo - Spenta Armaiti, protector of the ground.
* Aordato - Haurvatat, guardian of waters
* Amurdan - Ameretat, guardian of plants. Sometimes depicted as a walking willow tree with a beard made of leaves.
* Jazatas - the yazatas, or angels
* Srajošan - the angel of fire and conscience. He is also the patron saint of loners, hopeless people, schools, and teachers.
* Anahita - the Archangel of Water, patron angel of the nation of Kalambour.
* Aireman - the angel of healthcare, healing, and medicine. Also associated with doctors, medics, and hospitals.
* Rašno - the angel of justice
* Misaras - Mithra, the angel of friendship and cooperation
* Tištaras - Tishtriya, the angel of water and rain
* Versang - Verethragna, the heavenly warrior. Terrans in Kalambour associated him with Saint George.

## Trivia

* Kalambour's name was derived from "calembour" (an old word from French that means "a pun"), which the author thought to sound "exotic".
	+ "Kalambour" in its own language means "black sands", for the slopes near its volcanic mountains of the south.
* Kalambour was inspired by Tajikistan, the Pacific Coast of America, parts of India, and Bollywood.

### Why is it peculiar?

* Kalambour is one of several countries in the world with a monotheist majority.