Bujan

**Bujan** (Бујан), officially known as the **Kingdom of Bujan** (Bujanski: **Bujannaja Varestvona**; Eosome: **Ratandaara Resovænda**, **Ratandaara Bojeranda**, Rantavid: **Onōrolaz Bujandaz**/**Resofjandaz**), is an archipelago located on the western hemisphere of Jerde. Its name is also commonly spelled as **Buyan** to make it easier to read.

In the native language of Eosome, Bujan is officially referred to as "**Resovjant**" (Рѣсовјант), meaning "Land of the Sunrise Mulberries" or "Mulberry Island".

It is south of the Kingdom of Kovastoi and the arctic wastes further north; east of the nations of Daizhou, the Pinogunian archipelago, Ragise, Tamatura, and Holgowet on the continent of Esami, and the Sommemo Federation that launches invasions against it; northwest of the massive continents of Daleskarnia and Toralis; southwest of the islands of its ultimate enemy and former oppressor, the Wannaenid Empire; and north of Īrajon, Baido, Raoti, and the other diverse tropical archipelagos of the Movarian Seas.

Its capital is the metropolis of Koscheigrad, named after its founder and the first of its kings, Koschei the Red.

 Factfile

* Official name: Kingdom of Bujan
* Anthem: This Emerald Isle
* Official motto: "We are growing stronger"
	+ Two other mottos used by patriots are "We walk together" and "No justice, no peace"
* Capital city: Koscheigrad
* Official languages: Bujanski (main), Modern Eosome (main), Rantavid Vozonid, Sarmelonid Vozonid
	+ Recognised regional languages: Modern Eosome, West Arnadjanai, East Arnadjanai, Rantavid Vozonid, Sagolin, Namirian, and Tuksharan.
	+ Several indigenous languages are co-official with Bujanski in their respective areas, while Eosome, Rantavid Vozonid, and Sarmelonid are co-official throughout the whole kingdom.
	+ Usually, while most signs are in Bujanski, in many places usually up to two or three languages can be displayed in any sign. Some provinces instead put Eosome language signs above Bujanski text. Four-language signs are uncommon.
	+ Classical languages: Slavjane; Sanskrit; Classical Eosome; and Sarmelonid and Gauvajut. These are the classical languages of the religions of Rodnovery; Hinduism and Buddhism; Rumai Kor; and the Vozonid religion.
* State religion: Rodnovery
	+ Other religions include other forms of Rodnovery, native Wonao religion/Rumai Kor, Arnadjanai religion, the Vozonid religion, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
	+ "Christianity" does exist to some extent as the Free North Association, but acknowledging the Terran minority's actual religion in public is still a controversy.
* Government: Constitutional elective monarchy
* Climate: Temperate; boreal in the north
* Currency: Venchasi (100 lubany)
* National Day: June 28 (Independence Day, Vidovdan, Day of Svetovid)

## Geography

See also: Provinces of Bujan

Bujan rules over its eponymous island and hundreds of surrounding smaller archipelagoes, and the southern half of a larger island to the west that it uses for scientific and military projects. It also claims a large piece of land in the frigid northern wastes and its southern equivalent, also for conducting research on technology left behind by ancient civilisations and alien invaders.

Most of Bujan has a maritime temperate climate, with cool summers on June and cold, snowy winters on December. The northern parts have a boreal climate, making them cooler and colder. Palm trees can grow along the southern parts of the island, and the southern coast is warm enough for tropical plants to bloom at summer and even late spring or early autumn without a greenhouse.

The southern tips of Bujan have a true tropical climate where snow rarely falls on winter. Southern Bujan is divided by a "snow line", or Snjerendo or Kosnōri. There, as one goes south, winter snow gradually turns to rain showers, and rain clouds that go north may slowly freeze into snow clouds. The lands within the snow line are muddy in winters, with occasional floods, caused by melting snow complicated by rain showers. These southern lands were the creation of farmers during the Third Age millennia ago, who planted mangrove forests to expand their fields southwards. After centuries of sediment, abandoned plots were washed by the winter floods, resulting in new forests growing from the rich soil and drifted seeds and fruit.

Much of the Outer Islands are tropical, with temperate climates and snow only found in higher mountain peaks, such as Makkadal's pine-covered highlands.

Bujan has thirty-five provinces. Although traditionally, Bujan is said to have thirty-three provinces, the extra two provinces are those with no dukes, so they are not represented separately in the Holy Veche, but by the High Priest or High Volkhov of another province who addresses their issues on their behalf.

The thirteen main rivers of Bujan are Slonin, Roisa, Nesar, Chanij, Estanij, Riezan, Choren, Noshad, Solerin, Olanij, Taeglo, Irunari, and Mihiwon. Blue stripes are sometimes used to represent rejection of bad luck, courage, and victory through unity, invoking the gods of the thirteen rivers.

### Outer Islands

One of Bujan's poetic names is "the Four Thousand Islands". This refers to the five other constituent nations in a state union with the royal government of Bujan, as autonomous regions.

They consist of the Kingdom of Makkadal, the Republic of Joltaraata, the Republic of Toluduri, the Republic of Oenlamta, and the Kingdom of Ōhon, from west near Irajon to east near Baido. All five nations are as developed as the Bujanski mainland, enjoying an efficient system of roads and an advanced power grid, to the extent that people from those nations are rich enough to be among the wealthiest people and aristocrats in Bujan.

This is also helped by the fact that all the natives of those islands enjoy the same social privileges as their mainland kin, because they are also mostly Wonaos. Even indigenous tribes that are not Wonao also enjoy the same luxuries simply because they are indigenous Bujanski citizens.

## History

See also: Kings of Bujan, History of Bujan

## Politics

Bujan is a constitutional monarchy: it is ruled by a King, under which the Prime Minister governs Bujanski society in his name. The Prime Minister and the Vice Prime Minister are part of the Executive branch; the Parliament and the Royal Veche (representing all of Bujan's provinces and districts) represent the Legislative branch; and the Royal Courts represent the Judicial branch.

The Druzhina consist of various upper officials, forming the Royal Cabinet. Unlike the druzhina (retinue) of older monarchs, the modern Bujanski Druzhina consists of elected officials chosen by citizens in elections held at every five years.

Below the King and alongside the Druzhina, the dukes of Bujan are the ceremonial authorities of each province, and the native chiefs and kings are included among their members. Day-to-day administration is done by their Governors, similar to how the Prime Minister governs Bujan's daily administration. The dukes and governors meet at the Royal Veche, and any edicts they make are shown to Parliament and voted in order for them to be enforced as laws.

In the 1910's, political parties were permitted only up to the governors' level, to prevent another repeat of the Salvation Party abusing power and weakening Bujan to foreign rule after winning an election. Prime Ministers are only elected by all the people of Bujan from existing governors, never from political party leaders. Each governor who is a candidate must state their own agendas, even if it is influenced by whatever parties they served. This is considered by Bujanski as practicing partiless democracy, seen as fairer and direct than democracy with political parties.

### Bujanski political system:

Executive

* King of Bujan
* Druzhina, 33 Dukes of Bujan
* Prime Minister of Bujan
* Vice Prime Minister
* Provincial Governors

Legislative

* Parliament
* Royal Veche (assembly of all regions)

Judicial

* Royal Courts
* E-counsellor Network - direct ties with the national healthcare system, both nationalised and private

### Lunar Throne

See also: Kings of Bujan

At every 100 or 200 years, the current members of the reigning family must conduct a farewell ceremony and leave the Royal Palace, becoming commoners once again. An election is held where the other noble houses of Bujan elect one of their members as the next royal family of Bujan.

This led to alternating dynasties of Slavic and native descent, often compared to the phases of the Moon. For example, the first elected King of modern Bujan was Olegos of the Sandarids, elected to the throne in 1992 AT. The native system of monarchy is known as the Lunar Throne, both for the moon allegory and the legendary origins of the mandate being given by a moon goddess through the Alatyr (Kalamot) stone.

The system of elective dynasties was a continuation of a Wonao tradition established after their island was unified during the Third Age, as codified by King Motakol and consecrated by the lunar goddess.

### "Judicial-medical complex"

See also: Judicial-medical complex

One notable system in modern Bujanski society is a vast network of online moderators and counsellors, known as e-counsellors. In fact, they also consist of 9 percent of the population, who are required to attend psychiatric training in order to work as e-counsellors. This system is known as "e-counselling", which combines the functions of online moderation with psychology. Because this system was directly established by the government of Bujan, it is part of the judicial branch. So basically, any disputes brought to a moderator may be closer to a simplified court case, easy enough for teenagers to understand and learn.

Moderators and admins who are part of a website's main system belong to it, as anyone who needs counselling can turn to them, or they can speak to a nearby clinic or hospital to arrange a session. However, moderators of online servers and groups are not required to be part of this system. All Internet companies and social media websites in Bujan must provide access to the medical sector, so e-counsellors can directly arrange appointments with doctors in the event of an emergency.

These online moderators continue an archaic Denlotian law that mandates every online block to pass an online session, where the blocker and offender must state their cases to a mod, who then decides who is innocent or guilty.

They were also a reversal of a practice under Wannaenid rule: instead of malicious online fanatics who harrass others to glorify their empires, they instead help online users make peace or find a doctor. So some Bujanski jokingly call the close link between the judicial system, the healthcare sector, and online moderation as the "judicial-medical complex", or JMC!

## Military

The Royal Bujanski Armed Forces (Varontōje Voiske) is among Jerde's strongest militaries, and it consists of five branches: Homeland Defence, the Royal Land Forces, the Royal Navy (Varonnij Morjātǐ), the Royal Air Force (Varonnij Nebevoisko), and the Space Navy (Nebeskije Voiske). It is armed with among the most advanced forms of technology on all of Jerde, mainly derived from archaeological finds to fight against their Wannaenid enemies.

Like most countries on Jerde, Bujan practices conscription, which requires all male citizens who have reached their 18th birthday to serve in one or two years in the military, continuing their education after their service. In most cases, conscripts are just trained to fight and follow orders from their superiors, with only a willing few being sent to the frontier against Wannaenid pirates and other invaders. That system is implemented especially because Bujan is being attacked by the Wannaenids and other nearby enemies.

Bujan's tanks float over the ground. The military of Bujan uses laser rifles and cannons to fight their enemies, and they wear dark grey armour, contrasting against the jet-black armour of the Wannaenid warriors.

The Streltsy are the elite troops of the Royal Bujanski Armed Forces, and the Royal Streltsy are the personal bodyguard of the King and the Royal House. Below the elite Royal Streltsy are the Royal Guard (Dozortelǐ), the garrison of the capital city of Koscheigrad, and the royal palaces there and in the royal city of Lidongrad. Imitating classical Ardeschen art, members of the Royal Guard wear pith helmets, while the Streltsy wear either red coats while guarding the monarchy or armour with blue stripes in battle.

The Wolf Knights are the militias raised by each of the thirty-three original noble families of Bujan, named after the flag used by King Koschei during his conquest of Bujan. These coexist with the Home Guard (provinicial garrisons) as a vanguard defence force, and if possible, to lead any counterattacks against invaders that reach Bujanski shores.

The Home Guard mostly consist of Arnadjanai conscripts, but they are also made of volunteers from other races who seek to defend their kingdom. Due to their excessive number, many Home Guard members resume their usual jobs.

Bujanski military regiments are known as "sotnja", after their former composition of a hundred men. Nowadays they can have bigger numbers, with the biggest regiment having 1,300 men serving in its ranks.

Bujan's police forces are known as the Royal Police, or Varontaja Sīla.

### Bujanski units

* Royal Streltsy (ranged infantry)
* Royal Guard, Dozortelǐ (ranged infantry)
* Wolf Knights (heavy infantry, great weapons/halberds)
* Hover Tank (fire support)
* Home Guard (heavy ranged infantry)
* Joril-class fighter jet

### Arnadjanai conscription

All Arnadjanai citizens of 18 years of age are also required to attend conscription, and that includes females as part of their cultural honour system; it was considered very shameful for an Arnadjan to be unable to serve in conscription, unless he or she was handicapped by some incident.

As the Arnadjanai pride themselves in fighting, conscription is considered a very proud thing for any Arnadjan to serve under, most likely due to the likelihood of brawling with rivals or killing enemies. Like their notorious Daleskarnian allies to the east, they regard the day of conscription as a "second birthday", when the affected Arnadjan has become an adult.

The Arnadjanai obsession with conscription and brawling is often the subject of mockery, compared to the Daleskarnian militarist attitude as "stupid" or "brainless".

## Economy

Bujan is among Jerde's strongest economies, practicing a market economy under a mixed, regulated capitalist system. Its primary industries include manufacturing (usually robotics and vehicles), mining (especially *rytoryntar* fuel and minerals), and service. Tourism and education are growing industries in Bujan, owing to its universities' reputation, its fine arts, its pop culture, and trade fairs such as the Alignment Fair.

### Currency

Its currency unit is the *venčasǐ* (pl. *venčasi*, "crowns"), further divided into 100 *lūbany* (sg. *lūban*, "wheel"). The former exists in the form of colourful banknotes, and the latter as metallic coins, similar to most other nations on Jerde.

### Welfare

There are some "socialist" (public aid) programmes in Bujan as well, usually focused on basic public facilities, healthcare, education, and transportation. It was that system that nearly eliminated poverty in Bujan, making sure that no one was left behind. Even Terrans, especially those undergoing penance, were also allowed in Bujanski society to some extent, to ensure they stay alive and well-fed.

Although Bujan is affluent enough to support an extensive welfare system, most Bujanski were taught to use these benefits sparingly, to ensure the rest are used only to help in emergencies, and for needy people to go up to the high standard of living everyone else enjoys. They only use social benefits for specific purposes, like monthly aid, for emergencies, repairs, supporting a disabled person, savings for higher education, or buying their first car and home, and nothing else.

The very low poverty rate in Bujan is a result of cultural attitudes, taught to every child in moral classes. Bujanski tend to bring the poor, the hurt, the homeless, and the distressed to shelters, rehab centres, and workhouses, supporting the neglected to find a suitable place in the kingdom's society.

### One million venchasi rule

In Bujanski culture, it is considered very wrong to be a millionaire or a billionaire, as it is considered as hoarding. Schools throughout Bujan teach that it is very wrong to have too much money, as it is compared to living in a house overflowing with so many cakes, that one would have to walk on the cakes just to go to any room.

This attitude also causes the wealthier Bujanski to spend a designated portion on public services and loans, especially if their savings in any bank account nearly reaches one million vechasi. Exceptions to this rule include every citizen being allowed up to three personal bank accounts in any number of banks, and "collective accounts" used by companies in Bujan. Even the owners of companies, government members, and royalty are mandated to have only up to one million in their bank accounts.

Many Bujanski consider it very unacceptable if their own savings are too close or more than one million, driving them to spend any excess money on loans, necessities, and government services.

## Demographics

See also: Demographics of Bujan; Bujanski people, Wonao people, Bujanski Ontemazei, Bujanski Arnadjanai

## Culture

See also: Formal Bujanski glossary, Bujanski society

Traditional Bujanski culture was based on archaic Darroskei culture, from around the Fourteenth Age when colourful ships were sent eastward to explore the world. When King Koschei the Red founded Bujan, he used picture books of the *bylina* legends as the basis for his country's traditional art and architecture. Later, his grandson and later rulers also used Vozonid influences to represent their nation's claim as the rightful successor of the Sarmelonid Empire. Beyond these, Wonao traditions are the underlying influences of Bujan's traditional and classical culture, from syncretism to its system of monarchy.

Modern Bujan's national culture, especially the mannerisms of the "new nobility", was influenced by Classical Ardeschen culture, either to emulate the Zvestarid ancestors for being a global standard or to celebrate their independence. Many Bujanski people of the major races - Prejasnians, Wonao natives, Vozonids, and even Ontemazei and Arnadjanai - adopted the mannerisms of Ardeschen aristocrats, no matter whether they were poorer or emerging from poverty due to their high-paying jobs, becoming the "new nobility" over time who make up 40 percent of Bujan's total population. Actual nobility, usually the dukes and relatives of the royal family, form only a sixth of Bujan's citizenry.

Ultimately, this was influenced by the exiled Bujanski who lived and were trained in the castles of Rukania, as the kingdom adopted Ardeschen traditions to celebrate its allies' victory over the Thralondian enslavers. Another major influence in modern Bujanski culture was the sophisticated creativity of the Sevraejans in the north.

Vests are a common sight for young men, and women wear modest dresses. In the cities, men wear top hats and suits, while women optionally wear bonnets in formal settings. In Rodnover temples, people wear red and white robes woven from cotton and wool to represent obedience to the Gods and equality towards all people. However, none of the laws in Bujan's Royal Constitution threaten punishments for not wearing these in public settings, except for some places that may fine trespassers (such as a few exceptional libraries, government offices, and temples), so some people in Bujan wear shirts, blouses, and trousers as in other countries.

### Bujanski values

There are three common aspects in Bujanski culture: formality, humour, and obsession. Bujanski love to be formal, because they consider this to be a sign of proud modernity and an improving society. This instead leads to an annoying obsession with being proper, refusing to do so many things or making a huge fuss over a mess or anything considered vulgar or coarse. However, this also makes them laugh at almost anything in life, and surrealism and crudeness are the most common subjects of ridicule. Bujanski also laugh at themselves for being too obsessed with formality, if it inevitably starts to annoy them.

In spite of their obsessions, many extremist views are banned in Bujan because of their association with the Salvation Party. Excessive and aggressive conservatism or religious dogma would only anger the devout Rodnover majority, because such fanaticism reminds Bujanski people of the traitors who welcomed the Wannaenids and Terrans to ironically save their own religion.

### "No Justice, No Peace"

See also: Penance, Blocktown

Justice is a major part of Bujanski culture, where everything has to be resolved as much as possible. This was influenced by a mixture of the nation's painful history under Terran rule and tyrants, the Rodnover faith and other religions, Denlotian morality, and the Bujanski people's love of advancement and progress. The wrongful deeds of the Salvationist Party were also another reason why the Bujanski focus on justice over vendettas.

Bujanski people tend to be more forgiving and lenient, because they want to convince others to be honest. However, they usually forgive people who "undo" their crime by paying back to their victim, usually by doing work, repairing, or paying a fine to the victim. If they apologise but refuse to "undo" their crime, the offender remains an outcast in Bujanski society, until they are eventually forced to compensate their victim.

However, people who commit great abominations or show any sign of treason, and willingly continue, are treated very harshly in Bujanski society. Their cruelty towards certain criminals and extremists were a result of several periods of oppression and invasion. Depending on the crime, they could either be beaten up, forced to apologise to the victim, banned from some services, or even jailed or killed.

To avoid destructive and hurtful behaviour, many Bujanski are encouraged to go and see a doctor after a dispute, so they would take medicine to condition their emotions and avoid a bitter grudge.

### Collective punishment

See also: Bujanski taboos, July 1892 taboos

Collective punishment was a tradition in Bujanski culture dating back to Wonao times. Offenders' families or neighbours were also punished by public shaming, rather than execution, to prove themselves to avoid being killed with the offender by angering society.

The same belief in collective punishment also led to historical massacres against Terran people, and the subsequent hatred of Terrans and everything related to them. For example, one politician considered all farmers to be supporters of the Salvation Party, so he foolishly called for all food to be grown in food towers and farmland to be confiscated by the state. The death gangs in central Bujan also hated teenagers and social media as a result of their members' abuse during their teenage years, and this same hatred was carried over into the July massacres where teenagers were shunned.

Some Bujanski wanted to stop the practice from becoming too pervasive. This was why they wanted to investigate every offender, including themselves if they did anything wrong, to ensure that they or their friends would prove that they were not offenders. It was also why mental health and education have become valued in Bujanski society, to ensure no one will commit the same offenses as others before them.

### Avoidance culture

It is part of Bujanski culture to avoid becoming like your enemy. Not only do people simply avoid anything related to their enemy, but also to improve in ways to be the opposite of the ones they hate or who hate them.

This is related to the ancient practice of collective punishment. It also led to the spread of moral classes and the implementation of the judicial-medical complex, to help all Bujanski avoid the wickedness of the colonial era.

It also resulted in a dark side, one where the devotion to justice and obsession with revenge led to disproportionately-harsh punishments on a number of petty inconveniences and offenses; mainly because of their association with Terran and Wannaenid war criminals.

Among the trivial behaviours considered as criminal offenses included blocking people over trivial reasons (seen as starting a grudge), banning and punishing the use of phones in a workplace, and whataboutism (seen as glorifying war crimes).

## Languages

See also: Bujanski glossary, Wonao glossary, Arnadjanai glossary, East Arnadjanai glossary, Naonaere glossary, Koedaker glossary, Drevobojanse glossary, Formal Bujanski glossary, Classical Bujanski language

The main official languages of Bujan are the Bujanski language, a Darroskei language; and the Eosome language, the common language of the native tribes.

Everywhere throughout Bujan, most signs also display Eosome text, which is widely-understood by nearly every Bujanski citizen since school. Some provinces go as far as primarily use Eosome, and put Eosome text on the top of all bilingual signs instead of Bujanski.

Alongside the two official tongues are the other Wonao languages, each the treasure of any of Bujan's thirty-three provinces.

Minority languages in Bujan include Irajonian, Arnadjanai, Namirian, Heronoi, Sagolin, and Tuksharan. These minorities can send their children to specific schools where they also learn their native languages, although anyone else can also send their children to these schools if they wish. Wonao actually consists of twenty-seven languages, with the northwesterly Ēosomê language being used as a lingua franca between the native tribes. The indigenous languages of Bujan are co-official in their respective districts, towns, and provinces.

Some tribes use the Bujanski alphabet, while others write in the Common ("Cyrillic") Alphabet, and still others use either the Eosome alphasyllabary or three other alphabets and syllabaries. Three tribes write in ideograms, similarly to Siangwaanian.

### Other languages

The Arnadjanai of Bujan have developed three languages (or dialects): East, Urban, and Nasarpollian. East Bujanski Arnadjanai is used by a minority of fisherpeople and farmers along the eastern coast; Urban Arnadjanai (or West Bujanski) is used by those living near the capital city of Koscheigrad; and Nasarpollian (the language of Nasarpollo) is used as the standard for Arnadjanai-speakers and school textbooks.

The Vozonid or Irajonian people of Bujan mostly use Rantavid, an archaic variant of Irajonian that was Sarmelonised. Their Irajonian neighbours consider their language to be unfittingly formal, as Rantavid (or a similar register) is mostly used in formal settings.

Sagolin is used in the north, and Tuksharan is one of Razhno Province's two provincial languages, the other being Ielorete. Heronoi, the language of more freed slaves who joined the revolution, is also used in some towns.

Most Bujanski Ontemazei now speak in Rantavid and Bujanski.

Bujan is one of a handful of countries where services are still publically available in Sarmelonid, long after the Sarmelonid civilisation was disbanded.

Namirian, an off-shoot of the Pinogunian language mixed with local Wonao languages, is native to the western provinces. It is also where Buddhism is mostly practiced in Bujan.

### Linguistic conflict

A few parts of Bujan, especially those inhabited mostly by Terrans, used English and Russian, two languages associated with Terran oppressors. Historically, there were bans on the use of those languages as colonial symbols, but later, they were challenged by some activists who wanted to remove this negative association.

## Music

Traditional Bujanski music involves the *gusli* (zither), *volynka* (bagpipe), *svirelǐ* (flute), and the *domra* together with the *balalaika* (two types of lute).

Wonao music uses the *kapeo* (medium drums), *ngagao* (great drum), *ikiril* (rattle), *tagaëk* (clapping sticks), *wolena* (flute), *kotorik* (stick beaten for processions), *sirisa* (jingles), and the *valtar* (tambour with a stick).

Sometimes, both Bujanski Slavs and Wonaos play both instruments together as it sounded nicer. This mixed style also became royal court music in Bujan's throne rooms.

Pipe organs are a popular musical instrument in Bujan, usually applied for orchestral scores and (secular) national ceremonies. Aside from classical Ardeschen music and jazz being among the most popular genres throughout this conservative country, Bujan also has its own rock music scene, perhaps influenced by Zaqovian metal and its emphasis on humour, satire, and crude absurdism.

Piano music is also popular in Bujan, where it is known simply as "rarabol" (Ardeschen RnB).

## Entertainment

See also: Bujanski pop culture

Due to an early law prohibiting video-game consoles to curb digital addiction, arcade games have become popular in Bujan, to the extent that the kingdom is also the biggest producer of arcade games. Even as the ban was lifted in 1963, many Bujanski still go to arcade halls as a tradition.

The national sport of Bujan is soccer. The local name for the sport is "kolobok", after a folk tale where a ball of dough comes to life. Soccer is rather popular among the Arnadjanai, who seek an excuse to run around and pick fights, hence the other meaning of "kolobok" for "a brawl". Due to the association of soccer with brawls and unruly fans, the term "kolbovari" is also used for jousting hooligans due to their similar behaviour.

Lapta is a traditional sport played throughout the whole kingdom, usually by young people. It also has its own championship league, which sometimes attracts teams from neighbouring countries.

The Alignment Fair celebrates Jerde's alignment with the nearby planet of Ontemaz, leading to discounted prices due to the reduced distance for spaceships.

## Public holidays

See also: Bujanski calendar, Wonao calendar

The Bujanski calendar begins on April 1, instead of January 1. The basis of its years' numbers is the establishment of the Zvestarid standard of measurements and its gradual worldwide adoption, which dates to 800 years before the Tornarin Bombardment (add 800 to the current year number). For example, "AT 1956" would be "ZE (Zvestarid Era) 2756" in calendars throughout the kingdom.

## Society

### Film ratings in Bujan

* V - vsje (all) - general, all ages allowed
* V-D - vsje destai (all for learning) - educational, unsuitable themes permitted only for education
* 6+ - comic mischief, difficult issues
* 12+ - some fighting
* 16+ - more violence, uncomfortable themes, parental guidance
* 18+ - very uncomfortable, mature audiences only
* 18+ B - boistvo (violence)
* 18+ R - ranenije (trauma) - themes considered too traumatising.
* 18+ O - obvæda (offense, disgust) - themes considered too offensive to Bujanski society, like promotion of hostile views, blasphemy, and Terran beliefs
* O, Ōč - ocenǐ, ocenǐ obvæda ("very" [disturbing to normal society]) - usually for films with excessive violence or disturbing themes. X-rated, mostly for violence and horror.
	+ Unfortunately very popular with Arnadjanai audiences, who love watching violence.

### Colours

In Bujan, pink is associated with girls and light blue is associated with boys as in many other countries. However for teenagers and adults, blue is considered a feminine colour, and red is associated with masculinity, as indicated by the flags flown outside military bases.

### Railways

The entire archipelago is connected by a network of high-speed railways. For example, travelling from Buron to Djaripol would take two hours, while from Koscheigrad would take less than one hour.

### Medical sector

The symbols of the Royal Department of Health, shown on flying ambulances and hospitals, are a seagull or a gamajona bird wearing a crown and holding a sword with her right wing. Bujan's healthcare sector is known as among the most extensive and advanced in the whole world.

### Associations

There are many associations and clubs all over Bujan, inspired by the early modern government's attempts to uplift the mostly-poor inhabitants of the kingdom. One of them, the Young Tigers' Association (Vækānij Rægjomy Sjōnzo), is popular among many Arnadjanai boys and girls for teaching them job skills and proper conduct, allowing them to be smoothly intergrated into society. Many of these clubs were motivated by religious teachings, especially Rodnover, Hindu, and Buddhist beliefs, which encouraged its founders and members to help people. Rodnover-based charity groups in Bujan are known as chistiruky ("clean hands"), while their Hindu counterparts are more well-known as "kraseukai" (from "karasevaka", "service work" in Sanskrit), but they usually allow anyone to join regardless of belief.

### The Five Needs

The "Five Needs" are a basic requirement for every business to operate with a license, allowing them to receive government support when needing the appropriate help. These include access to clean water, hygiene, and functioning electricity. They even include the appropriate amount of toilets and electric plugs for a building's size, and Internet access for guests.

Slow or poor Internet connection is considered a crime in Bujan, since the founding of the modern kingdom. If the owner of a business having poor Internet does not respond or repair, their refusal to use the advanced tech to instantly repair whatever Internet error might land them in prison for a few days or weeks.

Alternatively, they could pay for the repairs or upgrades, or ask the police to bring repairmen to fix the poor connection; both are quick ways for most business owners to avoid arrest, and make their customers grateful. The prices for both the fine and the hired repairs are "as cheap as seven glasses of juice", due to Bujanski technology being easy to assemble and fix in spite of their high output.

The Five Needs are also the cause for mandating benches in every public space. Businesses and premises may be punished with fines for removing benches and seating areas for pedestrians and patrons, accused of Terranisation.

### Flying vehicles

By law, flying cars are only allowed for residents of major cities, but any Bujanski adult with a driving license is permitted to use one if they are working in a job involving delivering commuters or goods to destinations. All they need is to apply for that job, learn to drive a flying vehicle (if they have not done it yet), and then apply for a license from the government. Urban residents are allowed to drive flying vehicles anywhere in Bujan, but must follow airways. Only emergency, commuter, and delivery vehicles are allowed to fly out of airways.

Flying vehicles were approved for use in Bujan by the Royal Government in 1912 AT. In 1913 AT, after one year of local activists seeking less restrictions for private flying cars, a few provinces allowed private citizens to buy their own flying cars. However, due to a widespread fear of heights, some owners returned their flying cars, and the trend subsided. Most Bujanski still prefer carpooling and public transport, out of a dislike of traffic jams or because they like sightseeing and chatting in buses and trains.

## Religion

See also: Slavonian mythology, Bujanski folklore

### Bujanski Rodnovery

See also: Bujanski Rodnovery

The ethnic religion of the Bujanski majority is an offshoot of the ancient religion of Rodnovery, the native belief of their Darroskei ancestors. Their major god is Svetovid, the four-headed god of war: as he was the patron deity of their founder-king, the entire archipelago is consecrated to him. His sacred day, Vidovdan (June 28), is also the kingdom's Independence Day, declared after defeating their Wannaenid oppressors.

### Rumai Kor religion

The native religion of the Wonao people is known as Rumai Kor.

Rumaikori priests are known as *njakutaau*. High priests are known as *ketamau*. Temples are known as *jaknata* (smaller) or *mauktoko/maukoto* (larger). The Royal Council of Ketamaau Priests is the highest authority of the Rumai Kor religion, equivalent to the Holy Veche of the Bujanski state religion of Rodnovery.

Tigers are considered holy animals in Rumai Kor. However, kings and some high priests wear pelts cut from the bodies of tigers who die from old age, never from hunts. A tiger who dies from old age will be skinned and cremated with the same honours as a king.

Spirals and circles are holy symbols in Rumai Kor. The kolovrat in Bujanski religion may have been syncretised from preexisting korurai, spirals seen in Koscheigradian native temples.

### Hinduism

Before the arrival of the Ontemazei, Hinduism is respected in Zvesta as a source of classical culture and morality. Although the country did not convert to Hinduism, many people in Bujan used to admire Hinduism as a classical, noble religion, equal to Rodnovery. Hindu people are sometimes lauded by Zvestarids as positive role models for their honesty, discipline, determination, cooperation, and courage, making them very similar to Rodnovers in terms of exemplary behaviour.

Hinduism, or Sandharma, is practiced by hundreds of Ontemazei: it is one of two national religions of their ancestral homeland of Porashon, the other being the Vozonid religion. Many of them also worship in Rodnover temples as part of the national culture. Popular deities in Bujan's version of Sandharma include Shiva, Kali, Jambavan, and Surya.

The best examples of Sandharma in Bujan are charity groups, Soravan (Shravan Month), and Kali Puja. In return for being liberated, many Ontemazei set up charity groups (known as karaseukai, kraseukoi, or kransoi) to help the people of Bujan rebuild after the revolution and uplift people and former slaves from poverty. At every Soravan on August, some Ontemazei fast (upuosa, puasa) on Mondays at daytime to honour their gods. Kali Puja, observed every November, is when Ontemazei give their friends' children gifts and help people in need to celebrate Kali Ma. They consider the act of improving Bujanski society and making it a more livable place as the greatest of all honours to Shiva and Kali.

Science Day is a popular festival among the Ontemazei of Bujan as their equivalent of Svarog Day: it is held at around October or November, based on the Porasonid festival used to honour the monster god Ravana as another god of science. On Science Day, the Porasonids show off experiments and technology to their fellow citizens.

### Free North Association (Christianity?)

This is the only way Christianity is accepted in Bujan, due to its association with Terran rule. It was a compromise between the revolution and supporters of Terran integration, by allowing the Terrans to practice revived Christianity to give them time to learn the norms of their new home. On the other hand, FNA members are not allowed to publicly display Christian symbols (with some exceptions, like flags with crosses) to avoid accusations of supporting the Terran tyrants.

Originally an alliance between Protestant Maeranoi, possible Catholic remnants, and Orthodox Tyrskans who sided with the revolutionaries, it became a league of three "churches" that existed to allow Terrans to be deradicalised and socialised into Bujanski society. To help repentant Terrans and ex-Salvationists return to becoming citizens of Bujan, they were allowed to use their native languages, although they eventually also learned Bujanski and Eosome to fit in.

The colour orange became a symbol of Terrans who defected to Bujan, originating from Terran revolutionaries who used orange crosses during their revolt. Removing the extreme forms of their faith, those Terrans became more Bujanised to win the trust of their new fellow countrymen.

FNA temples, sometimes still known as "churches", look either like wooden halls with pyramid roofs, pagodas, or libraries with domes. Some also look like Vozonid temples and town halls, in the Sarmelonid style of architecture, to show how Bujanised they had become. Regardless, no crosses or Christian imagery were allowed to be displayed in public, perhaps until a future time when the Bujanski might no longer see their religion as a threat to Bujan. They were also taught to live like modern Atenists and atheists, examples of trustworthy monotheists, in their integration into Bujanski society, causing some of them to avoid alcohol and pork.

When the last Churchbearers were integrated into Bujanski society, all of them became members of the FNA.

### Other religions

Aside from Rodnovery, Vozonid religion, Hinduism, and Wonao religion; other religions in Bujan include Javarau (Arnadjanai folk beliefs), Pinogunian Buddhism, and Heronoi polytheism. Many Wonaos in western Bujan are Buddhists, practicing rites similar to those in Daizhou.

A sizeable minority of Bujanski are also atheists, although they also practice certain religious actions out of patriotism or tradition. A large number of these atheists were Terrans, who registered themselves as atheists to avoid being punished for continuing to practice banned religions. The other atheists of Bujan pitied them and tried to help them pay their penance-fees to undo the Terrans' crimes. Atheism became a recognised belief, the "outside of all religions", in honour of the many atheists who supported the Bujanski revolution and defended the fledgling nation from the chaos of Black July.

## Gallery

Film ratings in BujanEthnic Bujanski people.Modern Wonao people in Bujan.Uniforms in schools.Bujanski are stereotyped as a nation that is too fantastic to be real. Their syncretic culture looks more fitting for a fairytale, even if they do utilise the most advanced technology in their world. Classical Bujanski culture is a mixture of Slavic and Vozonid.Domovoi statues in Bujan, representing spirits of different homes worshipped in shrines all over the country.Ghosts, according to Bujanski folkloreAn ancient city in Bujan. The architecture of the palace shows a heavy degree of Vozonid influence.Emperor Krandurai of the early Bujanid Empire, years after the Kyrvotin Invasion. His father Solintoz began the adoption of Vozonid classical culture to claim his civilisation as the successor state of the Sarmelonid Empire.Over the years, the Slavic arrivals who lived in Bujan were influenced by the indigenous Wonao cultures, as fellow-subjects of their elected kings. Here is a Wonao warrior in traditional armour, with a Bujanski Slav learning from him.The three Slavic peoples of Bujan: the Bujanski of the north; the older Drevobojanse, direct descendants of the earlier Slavs; and the Ljetoslouna of the south.Bujan is known for its flying cars.However, they are limited to cities and taxis.Winter uniform for Royal Armed Forces troops. Pale-coloured, to blend with the surrounding snow.

## Trivia

* Bujan is based on the mythical kingdom of the same name in Russian folklore. Artistic and cultural influences for Bujan and its society include:
	+ ancient Slavic religion;
	+ medieval Russian art, especially "Tsar Saltan";
	+ American Art Deco;
	+ World War II and 1950s Britain;
	+ Victorian England;
	+ American pop culture (especially Adventure Time, Slipknot, and retro diners);
	+ cyberpunk;
	+ modern South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and New Zealand;
	+ Kislev from Warhammer Fantasy
* Ultimately, Bujan was inspired by the illustrations of Ivan Bilibin for Tsar Saltan.

* The Bujanski version of Rodnovery, as a state religion, was based on Buddhism as the national religion of Thailand; Shinto, Buddhist, and Hindu rites; and elements of Christianity and Malaysian Islam (as an "orthodoxy" for the polytheist beliefs of the kingdom).
	+ "Rodnovery" is one of several names for the modern Slavic neopagan religion. Like Bujan's version of Rodnovery, some Russian Rodnover groups adopt Hindu rites or even erroneously incorporate Hindu concepts into their scriptures, resulting in bizarre errors like the Book of Veles, Ynglism, and Vedism that are not even closer to historical reconstructions of ancient Slavic rites.
	+ Erroneous and bizarre forms of Rodnovery or Slavic religion are all collectively known as "dolboslavije", after a humorous and derogatory term for their religion from Terrans. The word in Bujan refers to "stupid heresy" or simply means "heresy", especially if it is considered funny.
	+ Bujanski people (who are also Rodnovers) sometimes consider some Russian Rodnover fakelore to be amusing science fiction, *very* different from the codified scriptures and rites they always practice in the temples.
* If a Bujanski were to be depicted speaking in English, he would be speaking in Received Pronunciation in the English accent, even though he would actually sound like a Russian who is learning British English.
	+ Arnadjanai are depicted as speaking in Scottish dialects.
* Bujan's name should be pronounced as "boo-YAHN" ([buˈjan]).
* Bujan resembles the Russian word for "hooligan" (буян, also "bujan"). The name fits the island nation's history:
	+ Rebellion against the Sarmelonid Empire.
	+ Rejection of attempts to impose Russian and American rule over the island nation.
	+ Many Bujanski youngsters being unruly in spite of the national "formalistic" culture, leading to heavy metal and the kolobnik (football hooligans) brawls.
* In Mongolian, "buyan" (ᠪᠤᠶᠠᠨ) instead means "virtue", "righteousness", or "charity", from the Sanskrit word "punya".
* The size of Mainland Bujan is a little bigger than Borneo.
* If a person brings an exotic pet to Bujan (such as a Marnosyn with his fox), the pet must wear a collar and its owner gets a tracking device, so the pet will not wander off without its owner.
* Doors, ceilings, public buildings, apartments, and public transport vehicles are taller in Bujan, so that its Arnadjanai citizens will not have to bump their own heads when they enter.
* In Bujan, the ground floor is known as the "ground floor", and the first floor is the "first floor", like in Britain and Ardesch.
* The Royal Streletsy, the elite bodyguards of the King of Bujan, were inspired by Victorian colonial soldiers and explorers (the sort of characters wearing pith helmets), the British Army from the Doctor Who episode "Empress of Mars", and the Praetorian Guard from Warhammer 40,000.
	+ Later in 2022, most members of the armed forces and the police wore pith helmets and bright uniform-suits, also influenced by Victorian uniforms and the Praetorian Guard.
	+ Modern Bujanski kings also wore similar pith helmets, but also coloured with stripes and studded with jewels. The modern pith helmet crowns were also based on Thai crowns.
* The elective monarchy of Bujan may be influenced by the system of monarchy used in Malaysia, the author's home country. Some elements of Bujanski society are also influenced by Malaysian culture.
	+ The Outer Islands' autonomous relationship with Bujan is more similar to either Greenland with Denmark, or Aruba with the Netherlands. Although they are in a state union as constituent nations of Bujan, they function like independent states.
* Bujan's national animal, the tiger, is the same as the one used in India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and South Korea.
* The Bujanski being invited by the natives may be similar to the Norse Rurikids, who were also invited by Slavic tribes to found various kingdoms, including the ancestors of Ukraine and Russia.
* The Royal Anthem of Bujan somewhat resembles a very grandiose improvisation of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God", in E flat major played by an orchestra or a marching band.
* Coincidentally, the Bujanski national flag resembles the unofficial flag of Midway Atoll.
* In 2023, many dystopian elements were added into Bujan and its recent history, due to the author's anger over various issues in life from extremists to toxic fandoms. It also made Bujan become a culture more obsessed with justice and reconciliation.

## Why is it peculiar?

* Bujan is one of the only countries in the world with an elective monarchy.
* Bujan is one of a few human nations to accept Ontemazei as equals.
* Bujan's variant of Rodnovery is more progressive overall.
* Bujan follows a variant of Denlotian law. In spite of their kind attitude, Bujanski can be very cruel to anyone who commits certain Terran actions, even if it is as small as spitting on a person as it is considered representative of their oppressors.
	+ Bujan is very well-known for its systematic punishment of various offenders, by forcing them to apologise and compensate every person they harmed.
* Its southern coast was made by farmers, who grew mangrove forests to collect sediment and build more land.
* Bujan shares several condominiums (territories) with the constituent nation of Makkadal and the nation of Meninsko Een. This was already a practice in traditional Wonao law.
* Bujan is one of several nations in the world in modern times where the Sarmelonid language is used as an official language.
* Bujan is one of a few countries where it is illegal for a shop or restaurant to put signs marking tables "for our customers only", as it is considered a Terran practice.
* Bujan is the only nation in the world where people who block other users for trivial reasons are punished with social restrictions. This is seen as more severe than jailing blockers who refuse to attend meetings with people who reported them to government hotlines in other countries. Likewise, people who are the targets of a successful online block tend to get jailed or punished, because the reasons for the block are seen as more valid and dangerous (like fraud and harassment).
* Bujan is the only nation in the world that sentences managers and bosses to death sentences for terminating or firing workers over trivial offenses, such as being late or using mobile phones in the workplace. This is due to the practice being associated with Terran oppressors.

## See also

* Its allies:
	+ Marnos
	+ Porashon
	+ Umbirab
* Gdjestrana, a fictional nation that reflects its contemporary society (or an idealised depiction of it).

## External links

* Traditional/religious BGM: 1, 2, 3, 4
* Cultural BGM: 1, 2, 3, 4