Porashon

"Om Sarve B'havantu Suk'hinah" (O Gods, May All People Live In Happiness)

**Porashon**, officially the **Republic of Porashon** (Porasonid: **Porasonido Ranjonaran** or **Ganatantra Porasonîja**), is a landlocked tropical nation located at the continent of Palkyras on the main hemisphere of Jerde, south of the equator. It is south of Vozolaz and New Irajon, east of Nevkreno, west of Turodaron and the Ajoltar enclaves, and north of Sevestrana.

Its capital is the metropolis of Imasela, named after the myriad species of flowers blooming on its countless trees grown along its streets.

## Factfile

* Official name: Republic of Porashon
* Anthem: Like A Syroli We Rise
* Official motto: Ever-Enduring, Ever-Learning
	+ Secondary motto: Om Aim Mahasarasvatyai Namaha
* Capital city: Imasela
* Official language: Porasonid
	+ Sacred languages: Gauvajut, Sarmelonid, Sanskrit, Slavjane, High Gondi
	+ Regional languages: Aukarin (34 languages), Prumarin (17 languages)
* State religions: Vozonid religion (Zomjonor-based), Hinduism/Sandharma, Rodnovery
	+ National deities: Shiva and Kali, Svarog, Kubera, Mithûra and Gorûso
* Government: Republic
* Climate: Tropical highland
* Currency: Svorana (100 karki)
* National Day: 16 July (Independence Day)

## National symbols

Porashon's national flag is a rectangular banner of purple, pink, and gold (or yellow). The purple half represents love of righteousness, the pink half for love of beauty, and the golden line for order and tradition. The jacaranda tree in the middle symbolises endurance, and the bowl with fire represents the nation's survival over thousands of years.

The flag closely resembles that of the Ontemazei Empire, as its founders originally wanted to reform the Empire from its war-torn and barbaric state.

Three things are regarded as Porashon's national emblems: the cherry blossom, the jacaranda flower, and the brown-eared bulbul bird.

* The cherry blossom symbolises the people of the republic, as many pink-haired people of the Porasonid majority think that their pink hair makes them look like cherry trees in bloom from a distance. For the similar interpretation, the cherry tree also represents the body or individual being.

* The jacaranda flower was a symbol used during Porashon's war for independence from the Ontemazei Empire, so it became a symbol of freedom and sovereignty. It also resembles a trumpet, so it also represents war and defence against Porashon's enemies.
* The bulbul bird was often seen flying around cherry trees, so it became associated with the soul. It became one of Porashon's two national animals (the other being the gem-roc, or *syroli*, a mythological bird with gem-like feathers that nests in the mountains of the far south).

The national anthem of Porashon is "Like A Syroli We Rise". The religious anthem of Porashon is "Satyagita", a hymn to Shiva and Kali. Other historical anthems include:

* Dawn (founding era, E flat/E major)
* The Remnant (loss of Ovikaro, A major)
* The Blossoming Tree (peace with Sevestrana, C major)
* Gate to the South (E major)
* Hail to You, Lord Svarog (D minor)
	+ During the Rodnover era, Porashon was the only Rodnover-majority nation to have a deity's name as part of the national anthem.
* Hymn to Ravana (D major, Thandizo Invasion)
* Satyagita (E major, still the sacred anthem of Porashon)
	+ A hymn to Shiva and Kali.
* Shiva Tandava Stotra (A minor, Second Kyrvotin Invasion)
	+ Only the first three parts are used as the national anthem, and a different melody was composed to avoid other people misusing the original sacred melody. It is usually played with drums and a ravanahatha, a fiddle associated with the monster-god Ravana.
* Hymn to Ravana (D major)
	+ Used for only three days, then dropped when other Hindu nations objected to its lyrics.
* Jacarandas and Cherries (C major, Rabydosian Empire invasion)
* Like A Syroli We Rise (E major)

## History

### Ancient history

During the Second Age, the lands that are now Porashon were divided between New Assuwas and the northern half of the native Kingdom of Prumthesan. The Prumthesankhe people live on as the Prumarin race.

During the Tenth Age, two alien fleets fought over the jungles of Porashon. Their wreckage left behind a vast deposit of gold and minerals that was buried in the mountains over the next millennia - though the Kekhaulid tribes and the occasional Gauvajut managed to mine the gold and minerals, leading to greater riches and opulence. The deposits were capable of growing in ever-stretching veins, fed by water and sunlight.

### Founding of Porashon

Porashon was founded nearly a decade after the Ontemazei bombardment of the planet, when several dissidents rebelled against local governors as the latter were waging brutal wars against each other. Many of them were survivors from earlier insurrections, and some were outlaws and runaways from Ontemazei and human communities who sought an end to the region's constant state of war.

In one expedition, they captured a Scavenger from Narzonjontar. Due to his ability to translate a trove of ancient documents and his apparent Gauvajut ancestry, they made him as their first President. In spite of his initial poor knowledge of battle tactics, he led the Porasonids to establish their own domain, strengthened by waves of refugees who expanded their forces' ranks and territory.

Initially, the Porasonids isolated themselves from the rest of the world, viewing the surrounding human nations as ever-fickle and ever-treacherous. For the time when it fended off many human armies -- from Sevestrana and Nevegornia that drove it eastwards, to the Exiles that seized half of its greatest extent -- allying itself only with a selected few enclaves, forming a volatile confederation. However, when Sevestrana and several human neighbours begged for it to give its technology and plentiful energy reserves, they agreed to make peace with Porashon and its leaders. With the start of diplomatic relations with its human neighbours, the leaders of Porashon sent several satellites to explore the world after the Exiles' wake. Of these countries where the satellites landed, Pinoguni was the first outside the continent to establish relations, and a dangerous journey was taken to reach both countries. To an extent, Porashon's advanced technology helped the continent recover from ruin.

### Rodnover Era

From the time Porashon migrated east to the Thandizo Invasion, that long era was known as the Rodnover or Svarozhin Era, when the country's people became more influenced by the neighbouring Slavonian peoples. During that time, Zomjonor and Pjosaroz were still worshipped, but they were sometimes eclipsed by Jarilo (the god of forests) and Svarog (the lord of the sun). It was known for being the only Rodnover-majority nation on Jerde with a non-human majority.

While a few fellow brethren consider Porashon as monstrous for worshipping their gods, the other Rodnover nations welcomed Porashon into their community, seeing them gifted and rewarded for their devotion to Svarog with beauty and wisdom.

Porashon became rich after discovering the legendary vast gold and diamond rivers under its mountains. They also respected any locals' refusal to build new mining shaft against the sacred earth.

However, as the Porasonids became more devout, they also imposed fines and prison sentences for certain religious and social offenses, ranging from forcing people to fast or not fast, to vandalising temples and essential services like schools and hospitals.

### Third Awakening

In 1200 BT (years before the Tornarin Bombardment), Porashon was invaded by Emperor Thandizo of the Vozonid Empire, who sought to exterminate the Porasonids as abominations. In answer to his insults referring the Porasonids as "monsters", the colourful people began praying to Ravana, and then to other Prisapuran gods such as Shiva, Kali, Murugan, Ganesha, Kubera, and Surya. After a long siege, the emperor and his forces were trapped in the capital city, and then annihilated to ashes. Shortly after Thandizo's death, his officials tore his empire to four: the surviving humans who fled the siege supported the rebellion at nearby Turodaron to the eastern shores, where they supported the resulting republic in its early years. As their country prospered, the Porasonids considered this to be the favour of the western gods, so they continued to venerate them to this day.

But due to a civil war in Prisapura between several factions, including several states claiming themselves to be Dharmic and yet committing many abusive and cruel acts, the Porasonids turned to the Dharmic schools and temples of Ayupura, which influenced their practice of Sandharma. They wanted to prove that the Dharma is not weak, and not cruel, but fair and just. This was how come Porasonid Hindus wear white and gold when they pray at temples.

Later on, a nation of humans from Western Rabydos contacted the Porasonids. The Shantidesans, trading partners since millennia ago, wanted to help them learn to properly practice the Dharma and become closer to Shiva, so the Porasonids willingly agreed.

In 283 BT, a rich aristocrat from the Galaxy funded the construction of a large spaceport. Rewarding the government for finishing it within a week, the aristocrat gave the government so much money (trillions of min), that the country was almost the richest nation in the world. The aristocrat left as he laughed at the government's members starting to panic: they were afraid that having too much wealth would make them a target of invasions. The government tried to get rid of that wealth, firstly by giving it to all the less-affluent people and middle-class citizens in the country, and then to various poorer communities throughout the nation. By the time the last payment was done, the recipents had enough wealth to live like middle-class people, although in other lands, the money arrived later as it took time to be printed from the mints. And unfortunately, there was still four-times the wealth of the whole world from the aristocrat's excessive payment, that Porashon funded many projects within and outside its borders to help its people and allies.

Because of that wealth, three nations declared war on Porashon, seeking to slaughter its "unnatural" people and plunder its wealth. They attacked Porashon in 254 BT, and they were defeated. It was followed by another attack in 239 BT by ten corporations and warlords, which was more successful than the previous attack as they seized control of the northwest. The ten lords enslaved the people for five weeks before they were gradually removed from Porashon's borders.

Porashon and its neighbours were mostly protected from the Tornarin Bombardment and the subsequent invasions, although the Tornarins managed to breach the western regions and conquer them.

In 345 AT, the Rindigal Plague affected Porashon. It lasted for two years. In spite of the country's advanced technology and various hygienic measures practiced by its people, the virus was hard to eliminate from the general population.

In 800 AT, the Porasonids found out that the planet Ontemaz was trapped in a backwards state, torn between hundreds of warring nations. The Porasonids went on expeditions to help some of these countries rebuild, as islands of civilisation in a sea of war and anarchy. Although the expeditions stopped at 1200 AT due to Thralondian and Rabydosian invasions, the Porasonid protectorates built their own fleets and armies to defend Porashon and its allies form invasion. It was the help of these Ontemazei that helped Bujan have the numbers and weaponry to defeat the Wannaenid Empire's forces on their island.

### The Ravanalila War

Porashon also faced several more invasions: from Borjas, from Taral Tamandar, from the Kyrvotins, from the Thralondians, from the Kalokei Hordes, the Rabydosians under Emperor Burendil III, from East Azgo, and from the Wannaenid Empire. Of these invaders, the Rabydosians managed to seize the southern half of Porashon and take hundreds of prisoners as slaves; however, the Guardians of Rabydos managed to rescue them.

In the 14th to 15th centuries AT, southern Porashon and its allies were attacked by the Kalokei. These were cloned armies that were awakened by Tornarin troops who plundered their crumbling fortresses hidden in the caves and jungles. Through crude attempts in cloning and debauchery, the Kalokei multiplied in secret, and when they became numerous enough, they waged a war of extermination against the other peoples of the region. Because of their cruelty, the Rabydosian Empire was formed, and through subterfuge they burrowed under the mountains and emerged to the south of the capital city of Imasela in a surprise attack. They almost claimed the city when they turned back to repel against the Wannaenid slave raids, who left a small garrison to keep the new gains after the slaves were taken back to the Wannaenid islands. This little garrison was quickly defeated by a combined Porasonid-Sevestranian army, who sought to contain any further Kalokei fortresses.

The Porasonids called this invasion the Ravanalila War, after a name for a forbidden, blasphemous stage play that sought to elevate Ravana to a god. In Porashon, "Ravanalila" is a classical word that means "hubris" or "downfall", as it scolds the Kalokei for repeating Ravana's ruin like a fatal stage.

### Wraithstorm

Many of the Vozonid nations to the north hated Porashon, so they never had diplomatic relations with the republic for many centuries. Arantar once attempted relations with Porashon until 300 AT, when its leaders declared war on the republic because of its people's descent from Ontemazei. In 1801 AT, a group of Mirkuzian citizens attempted to play a soccer match with the Porasonid national soccer team. That match was the only sports match between them and Mirukuz. The Porasonids took them in to protect them from reprisals after a few were murdered when they returned to Mirukuz, where they joined the local Vozonid community.

In 1789 AT, the Wraithstorm brought ruin to the continent, killing millions of people. Noticing the threat the Thralondians would make by breaking into the Ziggurat of Burendil III, the Porasonids sent soldiers to support the resistance to fight the Thralondians and the Kalokei. They also built Burrow-Cities to protect the Rabydosians and the Kekhaulid natives, and fortified their allies with energy shields. Much of their region was saved from the Wraithstorm, and the intact forces of the Southern Alliance helped local resistance groups expel the Thralondians, Tornarins, and Wannaenids.

At the same time, the republic of Siangwaan to the north drove the Thralondian armies out of the country, freeing their homeland. Several Siangwaanian technicians went to Porashon, seeking their guidance to help them use the Celestial technology found in ruins scattered all over Siangwaan. The Porasonids gladly agreed to teach them, allowing them to defeat the undead spirits that attacked their people.

In 1889 AT, Kanezarjo was the President of Porashon. He sent his armies to aid the Bujanski in liberating their homeland, and helped bring the freed slaves to Porashon where they were integrated as new citizens. Although the Porasonids were wary of their former enemies, as the former Kalokei proved to be loyal Porasonids, they were accepted and consecrated as blessed children of Maa Durga.

The news of Ontemazei joining the ranks of Bujan's greatest scientists led to a public holiday in Porashon, where people started hosting thanksgiving ceremonies to their Gods for the success of their uplifted kin. They took it as a sign that the Gods have forgiven their people.

## Geography

Much of Porashon consists of tropical highlands.

Porashon is known for having some of the biggest and vastest mineral and gold deposits on all of Jerde, which was the main source of its vast wealth and construction materials. Because of their alien origin, the deposits were capable of slowly growing by themselves over months as long as the substance was initially connected to the "veins". If the gold or minerals were cut off, they will never grow again, not even if they were reattached to the "veins". This was also the reason why enemy armies targeted Porashon and preceding states, to claim such vast wealth.

### Capitals

* ~~Ôvikâro~~ - Owl City (founding capital, now part of southern Nevkreno)
	+ Modern Ovikaro (Jolleshi) is a city at southern Nevkreno. Its legacy as the first capital of early Porashon is remembered as a pilgrimage site, a Sandharmin temple to Shiva surrounded with flowering trees.
* Vendâhto - Fire of Thought
* Vîlesou - Lightning Dream
* Imasela - Ten Thousand Flowers (capital during Vozonid siege)
* Rembohûno/Rambȳnoz
* Eviskâro - Herald City
* Imasela - Ten Thousand Flowers (present capital)
	+ Tree of Peace - planted in 1304 BT as a vow not to become like the Ontemazei and Jauparturnid tyrannies and avoid the hubris of Ravana.

### Provinces

#### Ausovan Province

* Imasela - the capital city of Porashon, located at the eastern side of the country.

#### Satjagira Province

* Kastassal - a town founded by Gond immigrants, who are welcomed by the Porasonids as descendants of Ravana. One Gond businesswoman, Piral Masaa, funded the construction of a university: it is known for being frequented by foreigners from as north as Nolworra. This university is known as the Trisula University, also known as Vidjapita Trisula, Vitrisula, or Vitrisul.

#### Vjadronja Province

* Drazonja and Kiratol - Burrow-cities controlled by two Vozonid dukes. Each of them has 20 knightly orders dedicated to protecting the country from enemies.

#### Dâlasirja Province

* Krosavon Laboratory and Spaceport
* Caryalingam - a beacon of light, a monument to Porashon's dedication to Shiva and honour.

#### Letanak/Letnok Province

* Tusurira - royal capital of the kingdom of Puiaron, a native kingdom
* Tindesan
* Usiane

### Other features

* Tusozai Peak - the highest peak of Porashon, at the southeast
* Nairo River - a south-north river that flows to the northeast at Turodaron.
* Nagara River
* Saptarishi River
* Suryodaya Temple - a small temple at the coast of Turodaron to the east.
	+ Located next to the Ontemazei-majority port of Surjodai, which is also Porashon's primary seaport to other countries across the Dunomin Ocean.
* Suryasta Temple - a large temple at the coast of Omayeran to the west.
	+ Located next to the seaport of Nadaifulu, which is also Porashon's primary seaport to other countries across the Rödgulean Ocean. It also hosts other vessels that sought to avoid contact with the hostile Tornarin Empire's warships.
	+ Navaisvaras - The Nine Sanctuaries, nine temples to Shiva set up all over Porashon to consecrate the country.
		- Two northerly temples, the Rautarokoi Mandir and the Kradjarijul Library, were attacked by the Thandizo Invasion.
		- It was based on the Five Temples of Tamrapanni, five other temples to Shiva set up all over the island.
* Jatulli Mountains - a mountain range on southwestern Porashon. Three of its peaks are Kô Jatul, Kô Sampan, and Kô Minna.

## Politics

Porashon is a unitary constitutional republic: it is governed by a President, served by a Cabinet of sixteen ministers and the Vice President. The President and his/her officials belong to the Executive branch; the Council of the Regions forms its Legislative branch; and the Halls of Scales serves as its Judicial branch.

## Military

The Porasonid National Force functions as the country's military forces, and it is armed with advanced technology derived from machinery that date back to the distant times of the Green Years. Among such technology include blue-shot plasma rifles and cannons (which consist most, if not all, of their firepower), mechas (that it is one of several nations that still use them to this day), and flying tanks. Porashon's military and society were known for having the most advanced technology in the whole region, being occasionally eclipsed by Umbirab in later eras.

Porashon has abolished conscription in 1500 BT and again in 500 AT, over fears that the country would become a tyranny like the Jauparturnid and Ontemazei empires.

## Demographics

### Ethnic Porasonids

Most of Porashon's people belong to the Porasonid ethnicity, which is a race of colourful plant-based humanoids. Physically, Porasonids are similar to human beings, but they differ in the colour of their eyes, hair, and their skin, varying from the usual pink raiment and blue eyes to purple, green, blue, and so on. Porasonid physiology also differs from humans in that:

* fire does greater damage to their bodies
* sunlight makes them more active and helps them heal quickly
* their sweat "smells like fruit and flowers sold in a wet market"
* seven Jerdiskar days in total darkness causes them to go insane

Contrary to popular belief, their ears are as oval as those of humans; therefore, Porasonids are just recoloured humanoids with plant physiology.

The Kalokei are a related race, another offshoot of the Imperial Ontemazei. They used to wage war on the Porasonids as "traitors" who turned towards humans instead of killing them, until most of their numbers were destroyed by the Wannaenids and other empires. The remaining Kalokei under the Porasonids' prisons were integrated into Porasonid society, after they were deradicalised.

At first, they were hated as war criminals and murderers, but over time, the Kalokei members of Porasonid society repented and dedicated themselves to the gods of Porashon.

### Other people

The rest of Porashon's people consist of humans mostly of Darroskei (White, specifically Slavonian) ancestry, and also the tan Gauvajuts who enjoy social privileges for their "sacredness". Other human minorities include reddish aboriginals in some regions, Vozonids, Gonds and Prisapurans who are considered "noble descendants of Ravana", and expatriates who are concentrated mostly in major and border cities.

There are also many natives in Porashon. In the north, they are mostly of Aukarin descent, and in the south and east, they are of Prumarin descent. The Prumarins are the descendants of the ancient kingdom of Prumthesan in the Second Age.

As Porashon is also open to "outcast" populations, it also has its own communities of Greyfolk (pale and silver-haired hominids) and sdachels (people, Porasonids, and other humanoids with genetically-altered superpowers); the latter proudly serve as auxiliaries in Porashon's military forces.

## Culture

Porasonid culture was heavily based on Sarmelonid Vozonid art, with some Prisapuran influences.

Porasonid architecture usually comes in two forms: the ancient form with its colourful, curved roofs and bright walls; and the modernised form with its sleek, pale surfaces of metal or synthetic stones.

As Porasonids were descended from Ontemazei, they especially love gardens, plants, the Sun, and flowers.

Hockey (whether with ice, or with grass and a ball) is the national sport of Porashon. It is known locally as "jashtikan" and "bakasal", respectively.

A common attitude among Porasonids is that they abstain from gathering too much wealth. If they end up having billions or more (some stop at millions), they immediately give away their wealth to people whom they consider to more deserving (such as poorer and less-affluent people), fund a public facility, and then only will they spend any smaller portion for themselves. Porashon's history of invasions and attacks by other nations influenced this attitude of avoiding excessive wealth: they fear that having too much wealth will bring bad luck by making them a target to enemies.

## Languages

See also: Porasonid language, Porasonid glossary

The Porasonid language was derived from the Sarmelonid language, which was adopted by the founders as the national language. It was later influenced by Slavonian and Sanskrit as the country converted to different religions in its history.

The sacred language of Sanskrit in Porashon is usually written in the Pallava script, which was used by the ancient kings of the thalassocracy of Mucchiri. The Porasonids chose that script because of its beauty and shape.

A classical form of Gondi is also used in Porashon as a classical and ceremonial language, usually at temples and science schools dedicated to Ravana. The Gond people who live in Porashon use both the classical version of their language and their current version of Gondi (Koitul), which has become more different from Prisapuran Gondi. Prisapurans might find Porasonid Gondi to sound more archaic. Classical Gondi (known locally as Bôgda Vadkudâl, the High Language) is written in a different script, the Gundzhali, which the Porasonids sometimes refer as the "flower writing" because of its resemblance to vines and flowers.

## Holidays in Porashon

Porashon observes two calendars. The Porasonid calendar is a Bujanski calendar used in daily life but with Sarmelonid names for the months. The Hindu calendar is the other calendar used for holy days.

(P) - public holiday celebrated by the entire republic. "Dan" is Porasonid for "Day (of)".

### Specific dates

* late Jan-early Feb - Vasanta Panchami, Sarasvati Dan
	+ Book exhibitions, arts festivals, kites, morning prayers in educational institutions.
* late Jan-early Feb - (P) Ratha Saptami, Surya Dan
	+ Chariot races, colourful flags and drum performances.
* early Feb - (P) Ganesha Chathurti, Ganesha Dan
	+ Celebrated with offerings to Ganesh and His household.
* mid Feb - (P) Murugan Dan, Latter Victory Day
	+ Spears and pikes are being raised for Murugan, son of Shiva and Kali.
* late Feb-early Mar - (P) Maha Shivaratri, Maha Shiva Dan
	+ Meditation and a grand prayer ceremony to thank Shiva.
	+ In major temples, priests and priestesses perform a ceremonial dance to honour Shiva, as Shiva is also considered the god of dance and music.
* 9 Mar - (P) Sarmelon Dan, Sarmelon Day
	+ National flags are raised at temples nationwide.
	+ Also the start of the nationwide hockey championship.
* 31 Mar - (P) Abhi Navavarsha, New Year's Eve
	+ Sports championships and dance competitions.
	+ The afternoon will be the final match of the national hockey championship.
	+ The winner is announced at midnight, and the winning team is paraded in the streets of Imasela or the current city where the hockey championship is held.
* 1 Apr - (P) Navavarsha, International New Year
	+ Beginning of the festive season that lasts until mid April.
* mid Apr - (P) Vaisaka, Sandharmin New Year
	+ Lanterns, flags, and flowers are raised everywhere.
* 20 Apr - Vansasarga Dan, Day of Creation
	+ A day to pray for the ancestors, and for couples to go on dates and weddings.
* late Apr - Ganga Saptami, Consecration/Purification Day
	+ People wear white robes and take special baths to consecrate their own souls to the gods and purify themselves from all of their sins. They also consecrate the rivers of their country by leaving flowers and squeezed citrus fruits into their waters.
* late Apr - (P) Akshaya Tritiya, Kubera Dan
	+ Observed by offering minerals to Kubera and prayers to him for his blessings.
* 16 May - (P) Mithura Dan, Mithura's Birthday
	+ A prayer for Mithura and Goruso, the spiritual guardians of the Ontemazei and Porasonid people.
	+ Sometimes, the Ravana play is held on that day to teach people not to become obsessed with power.
* May-June - Buddha Purnima, Second Vasanta
	+ Observed in southern Porashon and several towns near the border to southern Ajoltar with sky lanterns and no meat.
	+ Some Porasonid schools celebrate Buddha Purnima to honour education and self-cultivation (cultural or mental refinement, being closer to the gods, or to spiritual liberation).
* 16 June - Pjosaroz Dan, Pjosaroz Day
	+ National flags are being raised, Vozonid gods are being worshipped.
* 21 June - (P) Tar'hundzho Dan, Tarhunz Day, Winter Solstice
	+ Snowfall, axes, and dances of Tarhunz killing dragons.
	+ A high priest of Porashon does rites at the western sea temple at Omayeran's coast.
* 16 Jul - (P) Independence Day, Day of Flowers, Pusupa Dan
	+ Purple flags everywhere to celebrate the nation's existence.
	+ Nightly countdown and fireworks, parades.
* 23 Jul - (P) Sammakari Day
	+ Trade and tourism fairs with the neighbouring countries and other popular tourist nations elsewhere.
* late Jul - Varuna Puja
	+ Sacred rites are being held at seaports and border towns to invoke the favour of Varuna, the sea god.
* 12 Aug - Memorial Day, Ontemazei Day
	+ This was the day the Ontemazei won their freedom from their abusive creators.
* mid-August - Pola, Day of the Cattle
	+ This is a local festival from south Prisapura that was adopted in the western provinces.
	+ This festival honours bulls and livestock. To do so, only horses may be ridden, and farmers bless their animals. Some people do not eat meat on that day.
* mid-August, third Monday of Shravan - (P) Sravana Somavara, Soravan Somavan, Soramavan
	+ This is the holiest day of the year, as it is considered the day people can be closer to Shiva. It is celebrated with prayers and hymn-dances to the Lord of Eternity.
* late Aug - Rishi Panchami, Night of the Stars
	+ A festival to the Seven Rishis and all the other stars and planets in heaven.
	+ Observed with astronomy-related events, masts bearing seven lanterns, and flags with seven or nine stars.
	+ Great orreries were assembled and dances were held in honour of the cosmos.
	+ Also, special events were held to promote Porashon's allies from other planets and star systems.
* 25-31 Aug - Saptaka Harinmani, Emerald Week
* 1-3 Sept - (P) Purulli, Vozonid New Year
	+ A day to worship Hannahanna and Arayani, the goddesses of the land of Porashon.
	+ Celebrated with harvest offerings and feasts, red lanterns (representing spinels)
* mid-Sept - (P) Pitru Paksha, Nights of the Ancestors
	+ Believed to be a time when the souls of ancestors and the righteous dead visit the world of the living.
	+ Prayers are made to honour the ancestors, and lanterns are placed along roads to guide them to temples and shrines. Rice balls are offered to the ancestors.
* mid-Sept - Vishvakarma Puja, Day of the Forge
	+ The birthday of the god of architecture and engineering, Vishvakarma.
	+ Celebrated with an exhibition about technology. Another tradition involves contests where skilled artists and builders make sculptures or assemble machines.
* October - (P) Vijayadashami, Maha Durga Dan
	+ A day to thank Durga (who is also Kali) for defeating injustice.
	+ Also a day to celebrate reforms, and to burn effegies of the country's enemies as offerings to Ravana, Shiva, and Kali.
* Oct 23 - (P) Ravana Dan, Ravana's Day, Day of Science
	+ According to Porasonid folklore, this was considered as the birthday of Ravana, their god of war and science.
	+ To honour Ravana's legacy as a writer, this day is dedicated to scientific research, projects, and exhibitions, to showcase the advanced technology of their country.
	+ Also the end of the school year and the start of school holidays.
* Oct-Nov - (P) Kali Puja, Children's Day, Kali Dan
	+ A festival to thank Shiva's consort, Kali, for Her protection.
	+ As it was also believed to be the day Jambavan was created, it was also a day to celebrate children, thanking both Shiva, Kali, and Jambavan for protecting and blessing them. They are taken to amusement parks and games, and given lovely toys and artistic things to play with.
* first Fri of Nov - (P) Uorimon
	+ Sports festival.
	+ National and official jousting tournament of the whole republic. Neighboring nations and distant allies also send their contestants to join in, and in some years, they win the highest trophy.
* 11 Nov - Ontemazei Memorial Day
	+ A day to mourn the Ontemazei Empire and its cruelty.
	+ Stage plays about Ravana's life, the Mahabharata, other tragedies, and other plays condemning the Ontemazei Empire's atrocities.
* 16 Nov - (P) Zomjonor's Birthday
	+ Gryphon dances and blue lanterns.
* mid Nov-Dec - Bhairava Ashtami, Memorial Day
	+ This day is used to mourn atrocities. It is also when the Porasonids dance in stage plays of Ravana's life and downfall, and about the descent of the Kauravas and Pandavas.
* mid Nov-Dec, 30 Nov - Karttika Purnima, Early Victory Day
	+ On the day after Bhairava Ashtami, the Porasonids celebrate all the victories of their nation and praise their gods, just as Shiva celebrated His victory over the demon Tripurasura and his tyranny against the universe.
* 21 Dec - (P) Arinna's Birthday, Summer Solstice, Kolieda
	+ A parade is held.
	+ Also the start of Kolieda, a festive celebration held around the world.
	+ A high priest goes to a temple at Turodaron to conduct rites.

* 25 Dec - (P) Svaroga Dan, Day of All the Gods
	+ A festival is also held to celebrate and thank Svarog for protecting the country.
	+ A second fair for Sevestranians and Porasonids to visit each other's countries.
	+ Temples nationwide host a feast to thank all the gods and pantheons of the country: Sandharmin, Slavonian, and Vozonid alike.

### Miscellaneous

* July-August - Shrāvaṇa Mas, Sorâvan, Month of the Voice
	+ This sacred month is dedicated to Shiva and Kali, the divine protectors: it is also regarded as the holiest month in all of Porashon. As a lunar month, it begins and ends at the full moons of these months.
	+ To honour Shiva and Kali, Porasonids do not eat on Mondays (Shiva's day) and Tuesdays (Kali's day), only permitting themselves to drink any liquid aside from alcohol and lifting their fasts only when it is night. Some Porasonids refuse even drinks, or even continue their fasts into nightfall, to show their devotion to the gods.
	+ They also thank the two gods for the winter rains that water their crops and forests. To do so, they hang white silk or paper banners, representing the rains and their clouds. These banners also remind people to reflect Shiva by being humble.
	+ Throughout the month, the sale of alcohol is prohibited. Some districts (and even provinces) ban the sale of cigarettes, so any worker affected by the ban is given subsidies by the government.
	+ Ârba-Sorâvan - start of Shraavan. Observed with a prayer to Shiva and Kali, and hymns to the gods. Meditation.
	+ Anta-Sorâvan, Antasovân Dan - end of Shraavan, 31st day. Observed with a thanksgiving to Shiva and Kali, with a dinner to mark the return of earthly pleasures.
* Solar Eclipse Day
	+ Black flags were raised on that day, and drums were played to worship the sun.
* full moon - Purnima, Pjonima
	+ On that day, people leave offerings to specific gods and pray for their favour.

## Religion

See also: Ontemazei mythology, Porasonid mythology

While the Porasonid religion is a derivation from the Sarmelonid Vozonid state cult, it also syncretises Ontemazei, Gauvajut, Darroskei, and Sandharmin (Hindu) practices and beliefs. Popular deities in that religion include:

* Mithura and Goruso, two Ontemazei war gods worshipped as the benevolent patrons of the Porasonid people.
* Svarog, the Darroskei god of the Sun, the forge, order, and creation (as the Sun provides energy for plants and Porasonid bodies). He is only invoked in the grandest celebrations or during the direst catastrophies, so not to interfere with the Sevestranians and Darroskei who are spiritually closer to him.
* Some Porasonids called him Savitra, the Sun of Enlightenment, before their country converted to Sandharma.
* As an alternative, many Porasonids worship his Prisapuran counterpart, Surya, as their patron. His birthday on Ratha Saptami is observed with offerings of seven different flowers, drum performances, colourful flags, and chariot races. To honour him, a burning wheel is used as a symbol for Porasonid medics.
* Pjosaroz, the national god of the Sarmelonid Empire, their role model. Observing the universe with his four heads, he protects it from greater threats that lurk beyond the Void.
* Ravana, titan-king of the legendary flying island of Lanka in Prisapuran myth. He is invoked during the Thandizo Vozonid invasion to mock their enemies' portrayal of them as monsters, since Ravana was considered as a cultured king that ruled over his own army of monsters.
	+ In fact, Porasonids revere Ravana not only as their god of war, but also as the god of science, to the extent that shrines and statues of him stand outside their labratories, universities, and research centres.
	+ Images of Ravana depict him raising a fiery spear at the sky.
* Shiva Mahakala, the god of regeneration, destruction, dance, and time.
	+ Also known as "Batara Guru", "Dakshinamurti" (The Great Teacher), "The King of Mount Kailasha/Paradise" or "He-Beyond-Time".
	+ Sandharmin Porasonids believe that after they die as good people, their souls turn into beautiful yakshas who live at Shiva's paradise at Mount Kailasha in the far west. These guardian yakshas may return to the living world to protect their loved ones, and are commemorated with shrines in the forms of trees or wooden idols and tablets.
	+ Temples in Porashon face west instead of northeast (to Mount Mandil like other Vozonids do) to honour Shiva and Mount Kailasha, even if they instead worship the Vozonid gods.
* Kali Ma, also known as Parvati, Durga, or Uma, the goddess of time, creation, justice, power, and love. The consort of Shiva and the Queen of Mount Kailasha.
	+ Together, Shiva, Kali, and Their children are known as "the Holy Family" in Porashon. They are sometimes depicted sitting on beautiful thrones or under a great tree, representing Porashon being consecrated to Them. They are treated like a royal family, as the spiritual rulers of the country.
	+ Porasonids believe that they honour Her and Shiva by being righteous, helpful, and kind.
* Ganesha, the god of wealth and prosperity. One of two sons of Shiva and Kali, he has the head of an elephant.
	+ Nearly every shop has at least an image of Ganesha to bless their business.
* Murugan, the god of victory and justice. The other son of Shiva and Kali, he is known for His great spear. Warrriors and soldiers pray to Him before they fight.
* Kalandil, the Vozonid god of time. As he is considered to be similar to Ravana's master, Shiva Mahakala, he has gained a cult of his own among the Porasonids. Porasonids who worship him avoid time-travel (which is considered as a great offensive against him), but allow themselves to use time machinery to "jump" across a distance.
* Kubera, dwarf-king of the yakshas in Prisapuran religion. As Porasonids identified themselves with yakshas and rakshasas to mock their enemies, they appropriated and worshipped the yakshas' king, Kubera, as the spiritual guardian of their republic. He is also worshipped as the god of wealth and the nation's divine mandate as the successor of the Sarmelonid Empire and its wealth. Jewels were sometimes given to his priests as offerings to him; and after consecrating them, the priests either give them away as protective charms, imbue them into sacred artifacts and other temples, or sell them to be recycled in factories or consumed as energy.
	+ When Kubera is angered, he becomes into Vaishravana, a giant general.
* Jambavan, king of the bears in Prisapuran myth. The Porasonids also believe that he is also the god of their borders, diplomacy and relations with other nations, the forests, and of children.
	+ As the guardian of children, he is represented by a black bear doll that children use when they sleep.
	+ Upon their thirteenth birthday, they say farewell to Jambavan, and give the doll away to another one-year-old child; while some children burn the doll in a mock funeral. Either way, they tell Jambavan, "When I have my own child, I shall see you again."
	+ Some regard the thirteenth birthday as a sombre festival, with the cremation of one's Jambavan doll as a funeral to one's youth.

Aside from the Porasonid variant, other religions in Porashon include other Vozonid sects, the Gauvajut religion (which enjoys government privileges), Rodnovery, and indigenous beliefs, mostly practiced by their respective ethnicities.

Half of Porashon's people are Sandharmins (also known as "Hindus"), mostly descendants of converts who embraced the religion during the Thandizo invasion. Most Porasonid Hindus pray to Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesha, and also Kubera, alongside Ravana and Surya. They are distinguished by their usage of Sanskrit and the colour orange, and their refusal to eat beef and garlic: in spite of this, many Porasonids are also influenced by Sandharmin customs. The deities of Sandharma (Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma) are known in Porashon as "the Western Gods", because their homeland of Prisapura is located at the western hemisphere of their world.

Porasonids worship their gods (even the Hindu deities too) like how Sarmelonids do: with great drums, monotonous chants, bells, and trumpets. Occasionally, they have several dancers around the sacred fire or on a stage to act out the lyrics of their hymns. They consider this to be a more solemn way to show respect to their gods as though their deities were kings and queens over them.

Many shrines in Porashon -- both Sandharmin and Vozonid -- have pillars known as "lingam", which supposedly represent Shiva, his strength, and his mountain Kailasha. They also have doorposts and/or flags to represent Shiva and Kali leading them to wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.

Every year, an elite priest goes to two temples facing the sea: one eastwards at Turodaron's coast for summer solstice, and one westwards at Omayeran's coast for winter solstice.

While wights are revered as in other countries as spirits of nature, the Porasonids take it further by worshipping them as their ancestors, as Porasonids' bodies are similar to those of plants.

Beef is banned in most provinces of Porashon, to the point that even tourist places do not ever have beef. This is done out of respect for the Gods. Eating beef *willingly* in those parts is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of 3,000 svoranas or a jail sentence of three months: the latter is reserved for citizens. If one was forced to eat beef, or if they accidentally ate beef, the fine is reduced to just 200 svoranas, and the jail sentence (if the accused is a citizen) is just one week.

## Foreign relations

See also: Foreign relations of Porashon

As the only Ontemazei nation on Jerde, many of its allies tend to be humans. Most nations reluctantly purchase technology from Porashon and go there to study engineering and science, with a small trickle of curious tourists; as many people avoid Porashon because it is mostly populated by the dreaded Ontemazei.

Most Vozonid nations especially hated Porashon because of the latter's descent from the monstrous Ontemazei, so even though the lands of Vozolaz were considered holy to the Porasonids, their countries had almost no diplomatic relations with Porashon. Exceptions to this tend to come from the Arailaso, former Sarmelonid colonies who adopted their bygone rulers' culture to mock their failure.

Although the Porasonids respect and revere certain countries more than other nations, officially, they believe that all nations of Jerde are equal in the eyes of Shiva or Zomjonor, their Gods.

## Trivia

### Influences

Porashon's influences include:

* Craftworld Eldar;
* Tau technology (or Eldar with Tau machinery);
* Equestria Girls' colourful humanoids;
* dryads;
* "Hej Slaveni";
* Wakanda's advancement, isolation, and relations with other countries;
* yakshas and rakshasas;
* Thai and Japanese interpretations of Indian deities and Sanskrit;
* and fantasy elves.

### Why is it "peculiar"?

* Porashon is the only nation in the world with an Ontemazei majority.
* It is the only nation on Jerde that uses pink on its national flag.
* It is one of four nations on Palkyras where Dharmic religions have a significant presence, being Sandharma or Hinduism.
	+ The other three are Siangwaan and Ajoltar that practice Buddhism; and Shantidesha, within Rabydos, that was Porashon's mentor as it started to practice the Dharma. Or more precisely, Porashon and Shantidesha are the only nations on Palkyras where Hinduism is the national religion.
* It is also one of the few nations in the world to still use mechas in its military.

### Miscellaneous

* Porashon's name resembles the Bengali word পড়াশোনা (porashona), which means "study". It fits the people's preservation of ancient knowledge and technology.
	+ Porashon's name also resembles the Sanskrit word पुरुष (puruṣa), which refers to a primordial man or an ancient giant that was split by the gods to create the world.
* TheImperios has designed an alternative flag for Porashon.
	+ It could be used to represent Porashon if it became a monarchy ruled by an Onor, Onoronor (Emperor), Radzha, or Samburata/Samrat.
* There are nine romantic subcultures in Porashon, mostly influenced by Tuksharan art.
* Porashon is as large as Bolivia.
* The author noticed that the Porasonid flag coincidentally resembles a bisexual flag, which he liked for its pretty colours.

## Terminology

* Bhadrabhumi - Blessed Land
* Pushpadesa - Land of Flowers
* Rakshasadesha - Land of Monsters
* Children of Shiva
* Children of Kali Ma
* Elfland
* South Alfheim
* Fairyland
* Jacaranda Country
* New Lankapura (derisive)
* Maha Lankapura (derisive)
* Asuradesha (mocking, later honourific)
* Gift of the Gods
* Asura Country
* Land of the Asuras
* Little Asuras
* Leshi Country
* The Great Garden
* Garden of the Gods
* Land of a Million Temples
* Land of Ten Thousand Blossoms
* The Walking Forest
* Dharmadesha - Land of Divine Justice
* The Eastern Gate
* Gate to Mandil
* First Gate
* First Gate to the South
* Gate of the South
* Everspring
* Lantern of Pravi
* Land of Purple
* The Last Sarmelonids
* Purple Vozonids, Pink Vozonids, Flower Vozonids
* Treepeople
* Other Children of Sarmelon
* Sarmelon's Bastards
* Monsterland
* Monsters of the Gods
* Chosen of the Gods
* Starlit

## Gallery

The flag of the Hindu religion in Porashon.The Kalashveta Flag, which is used in Porashon to worship Shiva and Kali. Centuries later, this was also used by the Zaqovian dynasties and the Azgovian republic.

## See also

* Starpiercer's Realm
* Parmankjapoi and Ruotan, fictional countries created as placeholder foreigners in satirical or humourous Porasonid works.
* Irajon, another nation that claims to be the Sarmelonids' successor, leading to a friendly rivalry between the two Sarmelonid nations.
* Nandegakko, another nation that preserves knowledge.

### Other refuge-nations:

* Kazonda and Akwenendo, two nations founded to house refugees from all over the world.
* Peren, the refuge of the kodequara robots.
* Ajoltar, Naiorai, and Shaunetor, the refuges of the genders.