Narivo

The **Republic of Narivo** is a small nation at south-central Palkyras. It is bordered by Nevkreno to the northeast, Sevestrana to the south, and Ashostrana and the Tornarin Empire to the west.

## Flag

The blue background symbolises honour, the white border for courage, and the central star and its rings represent the Sun and its power and light. Alternatively, it symbolises its architectural wonder: the Northern Kolovrat Temple, the biggest stone temple in the country; or the belief in the peace found in "pravi", or preserving the divine order of the universe.

An alternate flag for Narivo is used in religious ceremonies, with the central star replaced with a *kolovrat* wheel. This flag is not used in most cases in public, as its neighbours refused to use it or look at it out of fear of offending Svarog. The central eight-scythes-emblem (known as the *kolovrat*) represents the country's devotion to its solar god Svarog or his greatest temple. The *kolovrat* also represents the national belief in "pravi", or divinely-ordained justice.

The falcon is the national bird of Narivo, representing Rarog, Svarog's falcon. The high priests of the Holy Veche wore headdresses shaped like the heads of falcons, with red disks behind the heads as haloes, and white silk robes with stripes. Temples to Svarog there had statues of falcons or giant men with falcons' heads.

## Government

Narivo is currently a republic ruled by a President.

In ancient times, Narivo was ruled by the Holy Veche, a council of high priests.

## History

Many years ago, Narivo was inhabited by native tribes, Some of these tribes still live in Narivo, although many of them had worshipped Svarog with the majority Narivians.

After the Green Years, a Slavonian kingdom was established in the land. One of its kings, Krastanor, ordered the construction of two large stone temples -- one in western Narivo and the other at what is now the southern border of Sevestrana -- after receiving a vision to honour his god Svarog. It became an architectural wonder that has became the holiest site in the entire region. Many of the locals and their neighbours ferociously defended the temple with their lives throughout the land's history, such as during one war when the Third Vilonian Empire attempted to besiege the region. Many of the surviving Vilonian soldiers died from diseases days later, contracted from some of the plundered temples' bases.

After its victory over the Vilonian armies an archaeological campaign was launched at the eastern parts, but it was plunged into chaos after the uncovered machinery went haywire, resulting in a council of priests taking over the government to restore order.

Narivo joined Arantar's confederation to fend itself against the oncoming Vilonian and Tornarin armies, but after thousands of years later its people revolted against Arantar's harsh policies. The Arantarese managed to retain control of Narivo after it lost Nevkreno and Bivos, but a later governor led a successful revolt that drove the Arantarese out of his country.

The last Arantarese governor claimed that he saw twelve successive signs in his dreams. Among those signs included the flag dropping from a pole; a nationwide blackout; a dying gryphon; his palace struck by lightning; sixteen eyes in the sky forming a circle; the leaders of Arantar dropping dead; the sky turning black and green; holy light departing from him (or his office or the Arantarese shrine) and landing in the Kolovrat Temple; and a man in golden armour telling him to abdicate and grant Narivo independence.

His priest consulted the gods, and they answered that they have taken away his right to rule away from him. When he said that he already arrested and whipped his two officials for drunkenly desecrating temples, the priest answered that it was his cruelty against Narivo's peoples that angered Svarog the most. Weeks later, his army was defeated by the Narivo revolt, and he fled back to Arantar.

## Geography

Much of Narivo consists of cleared tropical highlands, giving it cooler temperatures and frequent wind and rain.

In autumn mornings, Narivo's air is cloaked with mist.

## Religion

Narivo's state religion is Rodnovery, and the sun god Svarog is the national god of the whole nation.

Some temples to Svarog were built like pyramids or hills, representing Svarog's status as the god of the sun and the sky. These temples have braziers to be lit at certain nights as beacons, and sometimes different temples were lit in several arrangements based on certain constellations.

The neighboring countries around Narivo have also worshipped Svarog as one of their higher gods, and treat him with utmost respect. However, they only invoke him in celebrations or in great prayers to avoid disturbing him, as they believe that only Darroskei may approach him freely as his divine heirs.

The people of Narivo believe that because their country is consecrated as Svarog's domain, the sun god curses enemies who invade his holy land.

## Trivia

* The author originally considered using a *kolovrat* flag for the country of Narivo, but changed its design to a star as he knew that it might resemble a swastika, which is now regarded as an offensive symbol.
* The Northern Kolovrat Temple was inspired by the Angkor Wat; so in a way, Narivo was inspired by Cambodia and Montenegro (for its small size).
* On October 2021, the author considered basing Narivian classical and ceremonial art with Egyptian themes, as he was thinking about a tomb within the Northern Kolovrat Temple and its falcons. The falcons used in Narivian religion, symbolising the divine falcon Rarog, may be derived from Horus, a falcon god of war from Egypt.