Provinces of Bujan

This is a list of **provinces** **(Obvalosti)** of the Kingdom of Bujan.

In total, Bujan has thirty-three provinces, several constituent states, and various territories on the northern polar continent and half of the Moon.

## General geography

### Rivers

There are thirteen major rivers in Bujan: Slonin, Roisa, Nesar, Chanij, Estanij, Riezan, Choren, Noshad, Solerin, Olanij, Taeglo, Irunari, and Mihiwon.

All thirteen of them are venerated as river gods, bringers of good luck.

### Climate

Along the southern peninsula of Bujan to Selon Province lies the Snow Line. In the Bujanski Slavic language, it is Snjerendo, and in Eosome, it is Kosnōri. North of this line, snow falls in winter, and south of it, any clouds that wander stop snowing and start raining.

This results in the land within the line to develop a lot of mud and occasional floods, due to melting snow complicated by rain showers. People in Koscheigrad make fun of southerners who visit them on Kolieda by placing large mats to dry tyres that enter the city, and mats are placed at every train and bus station where southern Bujanski arrive.

### Bodies of water

The Salmon Bay is the large bay at the west of Bujan. In Eosome it is "Êkankrjata", but because "krjata" also meant "a fish net" in archaic speech, in Bujanski the bay's name became "Velkolosjædža", literally becoming "big net of salmon".

The Wonao peoples at western Bujan call it "Itson Bay", as "itson" also meant "salmon fish".

The central bay of Bujan, north of Koscheigrad, is known as Ozero Snaenij, the Blue Lake. Due to the swans that nest along its shores and the usage of the birds as a regional emblem, it is also known as the Swan Lake or the Swan Bay.

## List of provinces

Except for the other regions, all of these regions are part of the home island of Bujan.

The Bujanski mainland, specifically the island of Bujan or Resovjant in ancient times, is known as the Domōstrovja, or "the Main Home Island". Together with all the islands controlled by the provinces, all of them put together make up the Domōstrošta, or "the Home Islands".

### Northern Region

#### Chano Province

* This province is home to the Chauno tribe of natives. As a result, it has its own duke.
	+ It is sometimes also mistakenly known as "Chauno Province".
* Atōgint is the capital of this province. In Bujanski it is known as Ataginta, and in Eosome as Atōgijont.
* Several towns - Ataginta, Marintamoi, Kjuvosil, and Ikhavinsk - have Heronoi majorities. They were formerly slave barracks and quarters being added as suburbs to existing cities, and rebuilt as proper homes to reward the Heronoi for helping the revolution.
	+ Later, on the July massacres, these towns were fortified to protect the residents from the Anti-Terran Action's murderers. One by one, they raised orange flags, allowing Terran loyalists to take shelter: then the rest of Chano Province turned orange, saving hundreds of loyalists.
	+ In Chauno, the towns' names are Atōgint, Marintam, Gyvjosil, and Igamwin. In Heronoi, the towns' names are Dagwinta, Marindamö, Quewosira, and Iquómine.
	+ The Heronoi there stole the outfits they wore from the Maizefolk, a demonic cult of Qyuvian militants. With the Qyuvian-style clothing popularised all over Bujan as a symbol of resistance, the Heronoi there modified the clothes and based them on traditional Heronoi clothing.

#### Dēdogron Province

* The province's capital is Kirivandati, an extremely modern town known for its bullet trains and railway station.
* The native tribes of this province are Kitrīva, Ngorital in the west, and Vohisu in the south and east. While all three tribes' languages are the regional languages of this province, Kitrīva is the main local language used. The noble family representing this province is of Kitrīva descent.
* This province has Mount Dēdogron and Mount Detsogron, two of Bujan's three sacred peaks. They are known as "Lheum Džogros" (Grandfather Peak) and "Lheum Rheen" (Ancestor Peak) in the indigenous Kitrīva language.
* The native names of this province, in its indigenous languages, are "Džogarēsa" in Kitrīva; "Čokaresa" in Ngorital: and "Čogireresa" in Vohisu. The same names are translated as "Džakrorant" in Ēosomê, and "Dedozemlja" in Bujanski. All of them mean "the land of the grandfather", referring to a local tiger god who was the ancestor of the three tribes in legends.
* In Ngorital they are Ljōm Čokuras and Ljōm Rujen; and in Vohisu they are Rejam Čogir and Rejam Rihaën.
* This province also has the National Temple of Svetovid at the western side of the Dedogron Mountains. It is a temple constructed from white marble.
* Inside is a large red hall where the Alatyr stone is located. Venerated by both the Bujanski and Wonao peoples, it is enshrined on a throne, where priests burn offerings in front of it to worship the Gods.

#### Estagrad Province

* This province is home to several cities inhabited by Sagolins who were liberated from Wannaenid slavery, including the provincial capital of Virimvon-na-Taeglovu.
* The native Wonao tribe of this province is the Vohisu tribe. The Vohisu language name of this province, therefore, is "Keulajosarei" (Moon Splendour).
* Many un-Terrans live there, defectors from the Wannaenid regime who fought for the revolutionaries. For supporting Bujan's independence, they were granted citizenship earlier, and many of them chose to help the other Terrans adapt to Bujanski society.
* Virimvon-na-Taeglovu - provincial capital. Known for its libraries, autumn leaves, coffee, and clock tower. Virimvon
* Taeglo River
* Estagrad - former capital of the province before Wannaenid rule. Having been liberated by slaves, natives, and Terran defectors who joined the revolution, the city was rebuilt in four days using the Zvestarid Coalition's technology. It was also fortified against ATA attacks during the July massacres, seeking to allow the Terrans to have civil rights as their Free North brethren. Not surprisingly, the Terrans became grateful enough to fully support the Estagradians.
* Estagrad's native name in Vohisu is "Tawovai Vesanei Kejulosa", or "Kejusa", meaninf "Splendid City of the Moon". This caused some Terrans to nickname the city as "Luna", "Lunagorod", or "Lunapolis".
* The former Terran name of Estagrad was Ogonsk, and Virimvon was known as Dekyabriska; and the province itself was formerly known as Dekyabra Oblast. During Wannaenid rule, the Tyrskans controlled Estagrad Province until their defeat and overthrow by the Bujanski revolutionaries.

#### Razhno Province

* This province has a major naval base. In ancient times, this was the Kingdom of Daruval, the greatest of nine realms before Motakol unified the island.
* In Tuksharan, one of its two provincial languages, Razhno Province is known as Radjine.
* Mondoi - The provincial capital.
	+ During Motakol's time, it was known as Drugendir. The third and final capital of Daruval, a haven of engineers and machines learned from Daizhouvian pirates.
	+ There was once an academy for mechanics that the wicked king Trenuwon converted into a slaughterhouse, but it was exorcised and rebuilt as one of Bujan's oldest academies. Next to the Akrandil Academy are temples to Svarog and Vishvakarma, fitting gods of craftsmen.
	+ Mondoi is home to a large community of ethnic Tuksharans, an earlier community of fair-skinned people in Bujan. They were descendants of Tuksharan defectors to the Wonao revolutionaries when they fought against colonial rule at the early Sixteenth Age, and they were allowed to stay because they taught the Wonaos to use the colonials' machinery against them. Later, this tribe of engineers aided both an anti-Sarmelonid resistance movement in certain Burrow-cities, and then Koschei and his army as they helped the Wonaos drive out the Sarmelonid rulers.
	+ For its Tuksharan minority aiding resistance movements during the Bujanski War of Independence, Razhno became the only province in Bujan that uses Tuksharan as a provincial language. Even though they are not an autonomous city, their variant of Tuksharan culture is everywhere in the province, beyond the district.
	+ The Tuksharans who lived there made the province a small centre of Buddhism.
* Khakovi-na-Irunariu (native name: Hakovi) - Bujanski majority, known for some of them emulating Wonao aristocracy.
* Irunari River
* Aikurigil Hill - the hill where the evil warrior Gula once lived. On the top of the hill is a temple to Kali Ma, to erase Gula's taint from it and the rest of Bujan forever.
	+ During the Old Hiranol war, Gula built a great house and gathered the bloodied remains of his victims. The house and its occupant was burned down by Motakol during his war against the cannibals, but the ensuing forest was believed to be haunted by his spirit.
	+ The mysterious streams of oil appeared to look like blood, caused by the hill's iron-rich soil. This is why it is also known as the Bleeding Hill.
	+ Later, during the Wannaenid rule over Bujan, death gangs came to that hill to claim whatever alleged magical powers it possessed. They either murdered people as sacrifices to evil entities, or fought deadly duels. The hill was exorcised and purified by the Bujanski revolutionaries, who built a temple to the goddess Kali Ma to cleanse it. Although most of them were not Dharmic, they believed that Kali Ma, the mother-goddess of eternity, can purify even the most vilest and evil of all entities by Her fierce, divine presence.

#### Vaitos Province

* This province is home to the Watwaijote tribe of natives. As a result, it has its own duke.

### Western Region

To the south of this region is the Itson Bay, or Salmon Bay, or Êkankrjata.

The Western Region is also the homeland to the Namiri community, descendants of Pinogunians who fled from a great war and became influenced by Wonao culture. It is also where Buddhism is mostly practiced in the kingdom.

#### Esmero Province

* This province is home to the Ēosomê tribe of natives. As a result, it has the unusual honour of having two dukes instead of one as in other provinces.
* Its provincial capital is Kūradil, replacing Nīlahaunda after the latter became its own province. Kūradil is a major city known for its greenhouses and pineapples.
* The first duke is a descendant of the Omtolad Dynasty and greater Eosome kings and emperors, and the other being a descendant of the Slavic Bierida Dynasty. Both are honoured in Esmero for making their province a prosperous, wealthy naval power. However, only one of them may send a son as the provincial candidate in royal elections, as the more capable and focused of the two houses.
* The province is honoured as the "birthplace of classical culture", as the former capital of ancient Ersoviant's civilisations. Its former capital, Nīlauhanda, is seen as a haven of intellectuals, enough to rival the universities and academies of Koscheigrad! Its language, an ancient form of Eosome and a modernised form of the royal court language, is now one of several classical languages throughout the island.
* To the northwest lie the Zāreglo Rocks, or Sōlepas Ostrovy.
* Motlano-na-Mikhivonu, a newer city established around 3 years after the Prejaznians arrived, was named in honour of King Motakol. This riverside town is also home to many academies.
* Mihiwon River

##### Nīlauhanda the High Gate

* The former provincial capital of Esmero Province. A bustling metropolis, home to many universities as the birthplace of classical culture in the island.
* Granted autonomy in 1894 AT in honour of the Eosome culture's role in being a classical culture in much of Bujan's history, so one of the noble houses from the Wolf Knights of Koschei became its new *bojars*. This noble house is also the traditional King of the Wonao peoples.

#### Jokin Province

* This province is home to the Pruk tribe of natives. As a result, it has its own duke.
* This province's capital is Gata Kear.
* The town of Konudar was known for celebrating a party where the guests celebrated the government removing online blocks on their accounts. A Terran man broke in and shot the partygoers, killing two people before he himself was shot dead. This led to the banishment of all 167 of the Terrans who lived in the shooter's neighbourhood to a walled neighbourhood, confined and fed until August, when they were forced to apologise to their furious neighbours.
	+ Ever since, at the final day of June and 1 July, Konudar observes its town day, where amid the partying, disagreements were resolved, cases were closed, and people ended grudges to reconcile. The parties only began when prayers to the memorial were finished, and any Terran would apologise in front of the mourners, so he or she can join the partying.
* Kīravik City is known for its futuristic architecture and bullet trains, a westerly counterpart and teasing rival to Kirivandati at Dēdogron Province. People from both cities like to tease each other and go on contests, but their rivalry is more friendly.
* Kīravik City Station is a large station built in 1894 AT, known as "the Great White Shoebox" for the shape of the building.

#### Slonti Province

* This province is home to the Hiokinno and Cherma tribes of natives.
* This province's capital is Vaitachol.
* Slonti Province was formerly the headquarters of the unstable Maeranoi, the local seat of the heretical Church of Q.

#### Buron Province

* This province is home to the Jurmado tribe of natives. In spite of this, its duchy is ruled by a Bujanski clan.
* Western Olarion (Jarudri Welorijen) is the current provincial capital, having grown from a network of artificial islands and coral reefs.
* This province has two major cities: Buron, and Western Olarion at its southwestern cape. Buron is renowned for its universities and its aircraft.
* Its flag is dark blue, with a red ray shooting at the northeast from a setting sun.
* The R21 Highway across to the eastern shore ends at Buron City, its western end. Two settlements along the end to Buron City are Sæidalon and Sverestansk (North Star City), two Slav-majority towns with science schools.

##### Buron

* The former capital city of Buron Province, now its own region.
* Known for its airfields and aircrafts.
* Buron does not have a duke, but a Mayor who has the same role.
* The 880th cat cafe in Bujan, the Mutton Chops, was the first in all of Bujan to serve beef, because it was themed after classical Ardeschen culture.
* The "West Buron" jousting team is the subject of many mocking sports songs, for its string of defeats and its fans' unruly behaviour and yelling in vulgarities. Its supporters are known derisively as "zmaburoniki", later meaning "absolute losers"!

#### Ruisan Province

* This province is home to the Cherma tribe of natives. However, it is also inhabited by Ontemazei.
* This province's capital is Ruisan, a market city.
* Arokunga, west of Ruisan, is one of three Makkadalish enclaves as it was the Makkadalish merchants' and scholars' quarter. It is known for its spice terrace farms.

#### Vlesto Province

* This province has Mount Matjegron, one of Bujan's three sacred peaks. It is known as "Lheum Wok" (Grandmother Peak) in the Wonao natives' language.
* The provincial capital is Alevon, known for its maple syrup and birch. In its local Wonao language, the town is just known as Alev, and the province is Vulheudö Province.
* Alevon boasts several universities, some of which dated back to decades after the death of Motakol. One of them, which was where students and scholars wrote on birch tablets, became into the Alevon Provincial University, or the Hall of Birches.
* Perhaps for the association with birch trees, Alevon chose the Sevraejan city of Tokaemanda as its twin city. Both cities' universities often collaborate with each other in various scientific and historical projects.
* This province has Arnadjanai, native, and Ontemazei minorities.

#### Resok Province

* Pesoktel - "Sand Town", the provincial capital.

#### Nasarpollo Republic

* To honour the Arnadjanai there who led the second successful revolt against Wannaenid rule, the city of Nasarpollo is granted autonomy. A new anthem was created for the autonomous city, so it would be equal to the other provinces with their own anthems.
	+ Nasarpollo and nearby Arokunga (part of Makkadal) have chosen to become refuges for Terrans fleeing the massacres nearby, leading to both being fortified against the anti-Terran terrorists.
* This city-state has an Arnadjanai majority. It was founded as a slave slum where Arnadjanai slaves were kept and tortured, but after independence, the Arnadjanai were housed in instant shelters complete with functioning water, electricity, and Internet access. In those camps, the slaves learned the basics of citizenship and Bujanski social norms, while thousands of engineers were paid with some of the Jerde Alliance's vast funds to renovate the whole slum into a modernised city. The entire "renovation" took six days.
	+ Being better-educated than other Arnadjanai in Bujan, Nasarpollian Arnadjanai have become heavily-influenced by the formalist attitudes in the kingdom. They tend to be more cleaner, neater, and polite.
* At the eastern shores is a white kurgan, Miromyra Kurgana, housing thousands of slain Arnadjanai men, women, and children. Every month, the local *volkhovy* pray for the souls housed in the kurgan and burn food to pacify the spirits.
	+ To the east offshore are the Arifinnar Cliffs and the Makkadalish island of Arokunga.
* In Zvestarid times, this was formerly a different province that was annexed into Resok Province. This is why Nasarpollo also has a duke, in spite of also having a President. The President is the governor who handles daily affairs in the autonomous region, while the duke of Nasarpollo is a descendant of the former duke of the bygone province.

### Lidon Region

Ozero Snjænij, the Blue Lake, is located to the north of this region. Eshad and Deritsa are located on the western side of the strait; and Lidon, Lidongrad, and Dersi are located to the east of the strait.

#### Eshad Province

* This province's capital is Gegattik, a fishing town.
* Eshad Province and Lidon Province are known for their great arcs, like enormous marble lampposts, greeting travellers who said all over the Blue Lake. They were rebuilt after independence.

#### Lidon Province

* The provincial capital is Ūrisan, a seaport. It is known for its pine forests, scenic night skies, and cool winds.
* The flag of this province has a swan swimming on the sea, wearing a Slavic crown. The background is blue.
	+ One earlier version of the modern provincial flag had a kolovrat emblem, which was changed after six days because people were worried it will be desecrated. Like many kolovrat flags in Bujan, the symbol was changed to a diamond, and the original version is now only used in prayers.
	+ In 1912 AT, Lidon's flag removed the diamond.
	+ The swan is a traditional symbol of Lidon's Slavs, both the older Drevobojanse aristocrats and the more-recent Bujanski Slavs. Therefore, due to this, and the swans that nest along the central bay, the central bay of Bujan west of Lidon is sometimes called "The Swan Lake".
* This province has a very proud Slavic majority. Even as the Slavs of this province (and most of Bujan) are descendants of later migrations, they still considered themselves as the rightful heirs of King Koschei's Slavs.
	+ Nonetheless, there are communities of Drevobojanse Slavs in the province, the *actual* descendants of the older Slavs who lived in Bujan. Both communities of Slavs are among the richest people in Bujan even as they are not aristocrats, due to tourism and education fees being the main source of Lidon's income.
	+ Much of the buildings, including most "modern" ones, tend to utilise traditional Slavic and Vozonid elements, from colourful roofs to golden trims and tips on said roofs and balconies. Some visitors thought that they were stumbling upon a fairytale setting, centuries before the present, or a massive complex of temples and palaces.

#### Lidongrad

* This city was one of Bujan's former capitals, as it was the residence of some of its kings. It is now succeeded by Koscheigrad to the south.
	+ Still, due to it being the partial residence of the monarchy, and home to various aristocratic and royal families, Lidongrad is still known, unofficially, as the royal capital of Bujan. Bujan's actual royal capital is still in Koscheigrad, as the official residence of the current royal house.
* Lidongrad is south of Lidon Province, and north of Koscheigrad.
	+ In ancient times, this city was first built as Akrindo, a great slaughterhouse where hundreds of unfortunate victims were killed and eaten. Motakol burned the tent-settlement to the ground and planted a forest to exorcise the site. The Forest of Akrindo is now reduced to a few parks, but the site has long been cleansed of hauntings. Some of the temples in Lidongrad were built to house the victims' souls, who were believed to be raised among the Wonao gods or reborn as fairies that live in the sacred groves.
	+ In later times, Lidongrad has become the home of many aristocrats and noble members, although many empty sections have been opened for commoners and families of graduates from the most prestigious universities in Bujan. This was to teach all noble-blooded residents to live with commoners.
* It is common that students in Lidongrad would leave wreaths and burn food as offerings to sacred trees, seeking the blessings of those spirits. Some schools even conduct ceremonies to worship the forest spirits of Lidongrad, to honour some legends where the same spirits helped revolutionaries defeat the Terrans and the cannibals.

#### Dersi Province

* Mahapuri, Makhapuri
	+ The provincial capital.
	+ One of several place names in Bujan that were derived from the Sanskrit language.
	+ During Wannaenid rule, slums were built in the east to house hundreds of Ontemazei slaves. Some accidentally found ruins belonging to Dharmic temples, and these pink-haired humanoids began venerating them. A strange, bearded man in saffron robes came and taught the Dharma to the slaves, who hid him from the colonial tyrants. The Ontemazei later aided the rebel groups that emerged, and they fought a battle to liberate the town from Wannaenid rule.
	+ The main temple of this town is the Court of Ganesha, a Dharmic temple. It is surrounded by flowering trees, representing the Ontemazei who worship Lord Ganesha.
	+ Known for its many academies.
* Arakjensan (formerly Arkansan)
	+ The name already existed before the Wannaenid conquest of Bujan.
	+ Its similarity to one of America's states was the reason why the colonial rulers gave it to the Maeranoi, who made it their main settlement. The Maeranoi expelled the existing inhabitants of the city and destroyed its buildings, and built a cluster of concrete skyscrapers resembling those in their homeworld. It was their main city in the Wannaenid colony.
	+ It was also notorious for its high amount of homeless people there, mostly Maeranoi and other Terrans left there to fend for themselves. Cannibalism was occasionally reported, though caused by sadistic murder rather than starvation.
	+ Near the end of Wannaenid rule, the city was hit by floods and landslides. In November 1890, a lightning bolt struck a shopping mall, creating a huge fire that swept across the middle of the city. With only several Bujanski locals trying to save others from the fire, hundreds of Terrans were killed in the flames. The other Terrans only laughed and partied, leading to a series of revenge killings between the Terrans.

* Temple of the Torn
	+ After independence, many of the Terrans refused to become citizens of Bujan, so they were exiled through the portals back to their homeworld. The Bujanski, along with the Terrans who joined their rebellion, put hundreds of cannibals to death and burned their bodies, in accordance to Wonao exorcism rites.
	+ After the mass killings of Terrans by angry mobs, some Bujanski set up shrines to mourn both the mobs' victims and those murdered by cannibals. One of those shrines was consecrated as a temple to Perun. Before its main hall, there was a gallery of what kind of people the victims were, their backgrounds, and their deeds and motives. The main hall had a statue of Perun on a throne, holding an axe and a book, with smaller statues of various victims crying to him for help.
	+ One night, eyewitnesses saw a beam of light from the temple's main hall. The priests interpreted this as Perun taking the souls to Heaven, where they became among his countless celestials.
* Vjatnoi

### Southern Region

During the reign of King Tarautol in the Third Age, the peasant Paisolan planted mangrove trees to expand land southwards. Other farmers planted more forests along the southern coast, creating many of the lands that make up the provinces of Nojenso, Olan, Nummen, Teimoi, and Telmuna. Those lands were south of a mountain range, with the widest of canals and streams evolving into rivers.

Much of the reclaimed land was originally farmland, before newer forests grew along the mountains. Jungles were spread from other islands along the southern coast, often blending into temperate flora and adapting themselves to withstand colder climate.

Much of the Southern Region's provinces, including Lindas, is home to the Tuulun tribe of Wonaos. In fact, the Tuulun are the biggest and largest of the Wonao tribes.

Due to the warmer temperatures causing melting snow and rain clouds from the north causing floods, southern Bujan is also known as "Dōžjaštemja", the Land of Rain.

#### Lindas Province

* This province's capital is Ladatik, a seaport.
* One neighbourhood in Lindas Province, Kronavinsk, has an Ontemazei majority. Most of its pink-haired residents behave like the local Bujanski, to the point that almost all of them are also Rodnovers who pray with their neighbours in the same temples.
* Due to Kronavinsk having a huge Ontemazei population, others mockingly call it "Kronavinsk National Park", again with comparing Ontemazei to trees.
* The usage of pink in Lindasian sports teams has led to fans speaking and yelling slogans in Rukanian, resulting in the provincial jousting team being invited to Rukanian jousting championships. Later, in 1905 AT, Rukanian became the third provincial language, alongside Rantavid and Tuulun.
	+ Because emulating knightly chivalry and formalness also led to the establishment of many "gentlemen's and ladies' schools" in the province, some people mockingly called Lindas Province "the Academy" or "South Lidongrad". Eventually, Lindas and Lidongrad became notorious sports rivals, a mockery of both regions' obsession with formalness and aristocratic mannerisms.
	+ Some local universities and academies in the province also used the snobbish stereotype to promote themselves in a humorous manner. One slogan of Kaitödan Academy for Boys was "Learning was never more hilarious".
* Kaitödan - a campus city west of a gentleman's academy run by the Royal Institute of Ancient Technology. Unfortunately notable for its students being hooligans, yet also a hilarious sight to see their vulgarity in the contrasting confines of a formalistic school.

#### Nojenso Province

* This province had a Vozonid majority, while its provincial capital of Nanzakan has an Arnadjanai majority.
* Other major cities in the province include Sharachara and the burrow-city of Zremandil.
* Nojenso Province became the subject of many jokes across the region, mocking it for its obsession with fashion and jousting merchandise. This led to stereotypes of the province as "the Plastic State".
* Nanzakanian Arnadjanai are especially notorious for their love of being attractive. While they like to call their hometown "the City of Love" for how many young adult couples would buy cheap homes, marry, and start new families, their obsession with fashion led to so much mockery.
* Sharachara -
* Zremandil - one of the last settlements to fall to Wannaenid conquest, its people were gradually forced out and relocated to small towns. The revolt of Zremandil ensured its inhabitants were able to reclaim their homes, so it was the remaining Terrans who did not flee who had to live in the small towns
* Tjonnawan - a city on the islands west of Nojenso Province; on the island of Bimewjant. Formerly the capital of the Khvostian militants, renamed as Svjatomatisk ("Town of the Holy Mother"), it was renamed to its native name after Bujan's independence. Those Tyrskans who surrendered were either given their homes back, or granted new homes, as they all underwent several months of penance in order to deradicalise and naturalise them into Bujanski society.
	+ Bimewjant Island flew orange flags, as the locals chose not to kill the repentant Terrans, but to teach them to live as fellow Bujanski. Certain militants who sought to murder locals and Terrans who supported them were killed, ensuring that the islands and the Terrans remained Bujanski.
* During the Kingdom of Zvesta, the islands off Nojenso Province were formerly an autonomous region known as Khvostia, or the Tail Islands. They formerly enjoyed an autonomous status, but with the defeat of Wannaenid rule, many Terrans left the island back to their homeworld.

#### Zremandil Burrow City

* Granted autonomy in 1897 AT when the King noticed that there were still 32 regions that made up mainland Bujan.
* Zremandil was the first city to rebel against the Wannaenid rulers and declare independence. When Zremandil was given autonomy and elevated to its own province, its "emperor" was allowed a place among the noble houses, and the whole city threw a party to celebrate. They also conducted a consecration rite to Sarmelon I, to invite his spirit to bless the kingdom as a worthy successor.

#### Olan Province

* This province's capital is Shanchazorra, near the southernmost cape of the island.
	+ This is mainland Bujan's southernmost city, allowing maritime trade between Bujan and its tropical allies.
	+ It also has a great jousting stadium that is mostly reused for other sports, like soccer, grass hockey, and other ball games, so its instruments are disassembled for various sports events. It also hosted an international jousting championship in the year 1960 AT.
	+ Just south of it is Arienai, the Makkadalish enclave and merchant island.
* This province has a Vozonid majority.
* Randasa - major seaport, known for its new islands "built" by mangrove forests.
* Rīmulkan was the former provincial capital, a major seaport for maritime trade between Bujan and its many allies down south.
* The islands south of Arienai and north of Džōneuča, both parts of Makkadal, belong to Olan Province. They were one of two parts that retained the Zvestarid monarchy, the other being Sun City in Arienai. Both were fortified to stop Wannaenid invasions, and later to support the counteroffensive and liberation of their homeland.

#### Nummen Province

* Karontai is the provincial capital, an industrial town.
* The whole province is known for agriculture and industry. In ancient times, this province's lands were expanded by mangrove forests, and later dug by a system of canals to irrigate farmland. Some of the canals eroded into rivers. This history is also represented in the modern flag of the province.
* Parts of Rīmulkan became part of Nummen Province after independence.
* Pilgrimage Island is located just south of Nummen Province.

##### Cities in Nummen Province

* Karontai - provincial capital. An industrial town.
* East Rīmulkan - the eastern part of the industrial city that voted to join Nummen Province after independence.
* Blagoslovennai - regional capital of Pilgrimage Island, home to many lavish temples to Vozonid gods. This Vozonid-majority town has the biggest gryphon sculpture in all of Bujan.
* Zolotoi - in Pilgrimage Island
* Svjætnoi - in Pilgrimage Island

#### Koscheigrad Capital City

See also: Koscheigrad

* This metropolis was the first capital of Bujan when it was founded by Koschei the Red.
* In ancient times, this was the site of Vaikoro, venerated for its sacred whirlpools.

### Eastern Region

This region was the target of frequent attacks by the Wannaenid Empire, so access to its provinces was restricted due to being in a state of emergency.

#### Starij Province

* Starij Province's name means "old", but the native Naonaere name for the province is Mjorodiraz Province, meaning "the three volcanoes" or "three trembling ones".
* The native people of Starij Province are Naonaere, with the related Ielorete tribe living in the north. Ielorete is written in ideograms, the "turtle letters"; but Naonaere is nowadays written with an alphabet.
* The duke of this province is of Naonaere descent, but is so influenced by Slavic culture. In spite of this, he and his family do not practice Rodnovery, but the native Wonao religion.
* This province has an Arnadjanai majority, who mostly live as fishers, herders, and farmers.
* This province has been the frequent target of Wannaenid attacks.
* Its capital was moved from Djaripol to Noshopol in the south.
* Another major city was Vôripol, where a palace was built by Arnadjanai slaves during Wannaenid rule. It was converted to a dance hall and a university.
* The seaport of Kōlansk is at the eastern end of Highway R21.
* Its flag has three flaming volcanoes over the sea, representing the sacred peaks of Mt. Atmagal, Mt. Kotjamtaz, and Mt. Šolluča, the supposed abodes of three hunting gods who guard the east.

##### Cities in Starij Province

* Djaripol
* Voripol
* Noshopol
* Kōlansk - the end of a major highway, this seaport is home to many jousting fans. It is one of the only places in eastern Bujan that do not require a travel pass when entering or leaving the eastern provinces, if this city and its highway are part of the user's journey or destination.
* Jaë - a small city, an old town whose ironic name means "new". Perhaps in light of this, Jaë was renovated after independence.

#### Selon Province

* The capital of this province is Nidaña, or Nidauga in Bujanski. It is a modest seaport known for its love of sports.
* Selon's emblem is a deer, from a species of deer known as "rusego" in local Bujanski and Eosome. In native Naonaere, the deer's name is "roseñau".
* This province has an Arnadjanai majority, who mostly live as herders and farmers. It is the only province outside the Republic of Nasarpollo that has an Arnadjanai majority, and the people there are better-educated and cleaner than other eastern Arnadjanai.
	+ This is represented by the deer looking at a star, symbolising progress and improvement. The deer also represents the Arnadjanai people, and therefore, the cooperation and coexistence of the three peoples of this province.
	+ In prayer ceremonies and religious festivals, the star may be replaced with a kolovrat, symbolising most Selonians practicing Rodnovery as their traditional religion. Under the star or kolovrat is a tree with six orange flowers, representing Wonao traditions and knowledge.

##### Cities in Selon Province

* Zorjagrad
* Prajozontar
* Saldarin
* Rīdavik

#### Bærjuso Province

* This province has a Bujanski majority.
* The provincial capital is Vinauska, one of the oldest cities in Bujan dating back to the Second Age.
	+ When it was the capital of the Kingdom of Varu, it was known as Makaltok, the crafters' town.
	+ Traces of ancient Daizhouvian influence can be seen in the modern traditional architecture, from tiled, sloped roofs to moon gates and dragons.
	+ The "Bjun" (from a Daizhouvian word that means "wall") are the outer castle walls of the city.
* The Ielorete name of the province, "bærjuso", is from an ancient word that means "the comet".
* Long ago, this was the Kingdom of Varu, the first Wonaos to build cities of stone and marble. The local Wonaos to live there, the Ielorete, taught the Bujanski Slavs their distinctive architecture.

#### Teimoi Province

* This province has a Bujanski majority.
* Indamura - a town near a replanted forest.
	+ Indamura was the former capital of the People's Republic of Baleria, an attempted communist state founded by a revolt against the Wannaenid rulers.
	+ Its former name was Scarletton, for the red used in Soviet communism and in mockery of Bujanski who cursed them for blocking them online.
	+ Serpentian Museum - formerly the communists' headquarters, the People's Citadel.
		- This former fortress was converted to a museum. Its cybercafe, allegedly the site where several artists drew artworks and blocked several fans who asked them, became a section where the same blockers had their own crimes displayed to visitors.
		- Although the blockers' fanart was "redshelved" (banned from public display), access to them is only granted by asking permission from a librarian. Nevertheless, some Bujanski artists were inspired by the fanart due to their cuteness and beauty.
	+ Indamura Pale Prison - built during the reign of the Serpentians to punish ideological criminals, this was where Sophie and her friends were detained as punishment for their crimes against Bujan. It was demolished and rebuilt to reduce the size of the prison itself, as it was slowly converted to a rehabilitation facility and a museum of Terran crimes.

#### Telmuna Province

* Olēsova is the regional capital. It has a Slavic majority, and it is known for its citrus farms.
* Hanaukjōr River - known for its majestic waterfall, Kavankarsk Falls.
* Jaurōstǐ-na-Khanaukjōru - a hillside town
* Tarigil Palace - one of three Makkadalish enclaves in Bujan, east of Jaurōstǐ-na-Khanaukjōru on a grassy hill overlooking the sea. Still used as the northern summer villa of the Makkadalish royal house, it is also home to many universities. The later town built east of it, Tarigil, is part of the enclave.

#### Iunsaa Province

* This province as a Namirian majority and duke.

#### Kalkorant Province

* Kalkorant City was built by the Drevobojanse, a mixed Slavic-Wonao people, as their own city and province. Reflecting Bujanski and Wonao tradition, they elected their own duke.
* Kalkorant's name was originally Kalakaruwant, Land of the Moon. It was believed to be where the Alatyr stone first landed in Bujan in the distant past, consecrating the island to the Gods.
* At the middle is the Kalamot Hall, a temple to the moon gods. A separate building was built to house idols for Mesjats and Jutrobog, the Slavic moon gods of Bujan's state religion. Every new king of Bujan goes there to be consecrated by both the Slavic, Wonao, and Vozonid pantheons.
* Kalkorant Province consists of several islands at the northeast of Razhno and Starij Provinces. Kalkorant City itself is located on Bujonvenchas Island ("Albatross Crown"), at the northern bay. Bujonvenchas Island is the large island at the east of Starij Province, being heavily-forested.
* Bujonvenchas Island's native name in Eosome is Tolmaitara, where its meaning came from; Kalkorant is a later name. The mountain south of Kalkorant City is Mount Kalarorin, where Motakol was believed to receive the Alatyr from Anessa, the moon goddess, making him the first unifier of Bujan.

#### Slavjætja Province

* This province has a Bujanski majority.
* In spite of its landlocked location, it is known for its widespread worship of the sea god Morskoi, as colourful idols and kites bearing his image are everywhere. This was due to many Slavjaetians working as fishermen.
* It is also a popular venue for romantic dates and weddings, for young couples to start their lives together or create their own families. The mermaid in the provincial flag represents its association with love and the Slavic people who live there.
* At the centre is an extinct volcano, the domain of the Wonao mountain god Jamadan. It is known as Jonmauna.

## Outer Islands

The Outer Islands (Vonævij Ostrovy) are the various archipelagoes located on the seas to the south and east of Bujan, near the nations of Irajon and Baido. They are the various bigger islands that gave Bujan one of its archaic, poetic names, "Four Thousand Islands".

Two of them, Makkadal and Ōhon, are the bigger islands, almost as large as Bujan. They are in some sort of state union with the kingdom, although they are functionally autonomous enough to be more akin to independent states. From west to east, they consist of five constituent states: Makkadal, Joltaraata, Toluduri, Oenlamta, and Ōhon.

Makkadal and Ōhon are monarchies, while the other three are "republics" like Nasarpollo, because they do not have monarchs. They still regard themselves as subjects of Bujan, however autonomous they are, with pictures of the King at public venues. The autonomous status of these five union states would, therefore, make Bujan a *de facto* federation.

As subjects of Bujan, the Outer Islands also enjoy the advanced infrastructure that the main provinces also utilise, making them more richer than their neighbours. In fact, half of the richest people in all of Bujan are from the Outer Islands, usually artists and businesspeople.

All of them are connected by a network of undersea tunnels, with regular trains and carriages for land vehicles and steeds, which also connect to Irajon, the Bujanski Home Islands, and eastern Baido.

The Outer Islands are also known as the "Five Realms", "Five Nations", or "Five Great Islands", especially by the locals who live there. They, in turn, call Bujan "the Big North" or humorously as "Spinelland" and "Land of Gryphons" (for Vozonid influence).

* Makkadal Island, Kingdom of Makkadal - east of Irajon's mainland, a tropical island.
* Republic of Joltaraata
* Republic of Toluduri
* Republic of Oenlamta
* Kingdom of Ōhon - west of Baido, a tropical island.

### The Referendum of 2705

In 1905 AT (2705 in the Bujanski calendar), the peoples of the Outer Islands held a referendum on whether to merge with Bujan, or remain independent. Most of them voted and even held protests to create a federation with Bujan.

They wanted to create a stronger, pan-Wonao nation, for the local Ljetoslouna Slavs to be reunited with their northern relatives, and to ensure that travel and infrastructure will become more easier. To the surprise of the Wonaos and Slavs who supported union with Bujan, the Terrans there also supported because they wanted to show the Bujanski that they are not an evil people, and they also improved their behaviour in the past decades. On June 24, the five Outer Islands merged with Bujan, forming a federation.

This also led to more construction, new roads, and better water and energy grids, causing the five regions to reach Bujan's advanced living standards in two months.

## Other regions

### Tselan Province

* This province is located to the south of the republics of Menisko Een and Narisko, and east of Menarin-Aen and the Sommemmo Federation (the latter is an enemy of Bujan that wages war against it). Pinoguni, a close ally of Bujan, is located to the southwest of this region. This province is also located to the west of the island of Bujan.
* Because the natives of Tselan voted to join Bujan to protect themselves from the Sommemmo Federation, they do not have a duke. The Tselanians wanted to elect their own duke to make their own province more "classical" even as they become more developed and well-protected.
* Politically, Tselan is part of Bujan, but the Meninsko Eenian government also controls the country. By treaty and the referendum, the Tselanian realm is a condominium, jointly-ruled by Bujan and Meninsko Een, allowing the locals and their northern neighbours to freely walk and live between both nations. Anyone not from these two must use their passports when entering or leaving.
* The province of Tselan is known for its amusement parks, caves, coffee farms (wholly owned only by native Tselanians and naturalised citizens), and iron crafts.
* Tselanian culture includes carpentry, coffee, and iron smithing.
* This province is home to many Bujanski scientific projects. Anyone who is not a member of those projects will be cleared of their memories when they leave the facilities, through a device disguised as a photography corner.
* All ethnic Tselanians are allowed to be among those who know what they are, and they arrest any who tell the projects to outsiders for revealing state secrets. Such an offense landed many people to around ten years in prison.
* Tselan has only two undersea tunnels linking it and Bujan's northwestern shore.

### Moroztrana Severej / Ljodjanaja Pustošǐ / Ljodnapustosha / Ljodpustia (Northern Ice Lands/Frozen Wastes)

* A large swathe of land in Nordgard ruled by Bujan, where hundreds of bases are scattered across the frozen wasteland. Foreign scientists from allied nations are permitted to study the Kyrvotin and alien ruins buried beneath the ice. Located to the east of "Velske Minor", a Slavic kingdom allied to Bujan.
* The northerly frozen continent where this colony is located is known as "Velskeprodia".
* Notorious for being near the Wannaenid Ice Realms, and having a high risk of raids from Wannaenid armies. The eastern fringes of the Ljodpustia are fortified to repel Wannaenid and alien attacks.
* One of those stations, connected by a railway line, is Tjenje Station, where a Konjor spaceship has been discovered.

### Zapadnaja Mesjats (Western Moon)

* The Far Side of the Moon.
* When its homeland was conquered by the Wannaenid Empire, the surviving members of the royal family of Bujan and their people were evacuated to the Far Side of the Moon, where they mustered an army to retake their home. One of the dukes managed to start his own rebellion, winning Bujan's independence from Wannaenid rule.
* East of it is the other half of the Moon, which is considered a part of the Kingdom of Heronoja due to the Moon being worshipped in Heronoi religion.

### Knjazdomæja (Princehome)

* The old enclaves scattered all over Noktea, Ashostrana, and western Vozolaz, where the Bujanid Empire formerly controlled. Mostly a number of villages and towns who chose to revert to Bujanski authority after hearing about the kingdom's independence in 1892 AT.
* Locals sometimes call these fortified settlements as "Blueflags", after the blue Bujanski flags used by them. They also used blue flags instead of the initial kolovrat designs on the first Bujanski flag, as they considered public use of this sacred symbol as risking blasphemy against the Gods.

## Traditional authorities

In Bujan, each province has a duke or *bojar* who represents the province. They elect each other into making the chosen house the next Kings of Bujan.

1. Chano Province - Duke of Chano (native, Chauno)
2. Dēdogron Province - Duke of Dēdogron (native, Kitrīva)
3. Estagrad Province - Duke of Estagrad (Slavic)
4. Razhno Province - Duke of Razhno (Slavic)
	* King Olegos, the first elected king of modern Bujan, was from this province.
5. Vaitos Province - Duke of Vaitos (native, Watwaijote)
6. Esmero Province - Omtolad Duke (native, Eosome) or Bierida Duke (Slavic)
	1. Both dukes are considered as one seat in the traditional table of provincial *bojars*.
7. Jokin Province - Duke of Jokin (native, Prun)
8. Slonti Province - Duke of Slonti (native, Hiokinno)
9. Buron Province - Duke of Buron (Slavic)
10. Ruisan Province - Duke of Ruisan (Slavic)
11. Vlesto Province - Duke of Vlesto (native)
12. Resok Province - Duke of Resok (native)
13. Eshad Province - Duke of Eshad (Slavic)
14. Deritsa Province - Duke of Deritsa (Slavic)
15. Lidon Province - Duke of Lidon (Slavic)
16. Dersi Province - Duke of Dersi (Slavic)
17. Lindas Province - Duke of Lindas (native, Tuulun)
18. Nojenso Province - Duke of Nojenso (native, Tuulun)
19. Olan Province - Duke of Olan (Vozonid)
20. Nummen Province - Duke of Nummen (native, Tuulun)
21. Starij Province - Duke of Starij (native, Naonaere)
22. Selon Province - Duke of Selon (native)
23. Bærjuso Province - Duke of Bærjuso (Slavic)
24. Teimoi Province (native)
25. Telmuna Province (native)
26. Iunsaa Province (Namirian)
27. Slavætja Province - Duke of Slavætja (Slavic)
28. Republic of Nasarpollo - President of Nasarpollo (Arnadjanai, government), Duke of Nasarpollo (Slavic, traditional)
	* However, Nasarpollian candidates to the throne or the Supreme Volkhov's rank can only be of Bujanski, Wonao, or Vozonid descent. Some locals wanted to elect an Arnadjanai candidate to these, to represent them being accepted as part of Bujanski society.
	* The modern Duke of Nasarpollo represents a former Zvestarid province that was merged into Resok Province. He is a descendant of that bygone duke.
29. Lidongrad - Steward of Lidongrad (Slavic)
	* Because Lidongrad is home to many aristocrats and royal members, the duke of this province is known as "Steward" and "Keykeeper".
30. Nīlauhanda - King of Nilauhanda (native, Eosome)
31. Koscheigrad - Mayor of Koscheigrad (Slavic), Duke of Vaikoro (native, Slavic)
	* The last King of Zvesta before Wannaenid conquest was from this royal line, and so was Dostagir, the first King of modern Bujan.
	* The Mayor cannot be a candidate for the Bujanski throne or Supreme Volkhov. Candidates for the throne from Koscheigrad can only be from the Duke of Vaikoro, while candidates for the Supreme Volkhov are usually of Slavic descent.
32. Kalkorant City - Duke of Kalkorant (Drevbojanse)
33. Zremandil City - Emperor of Zremandil, Son of Sarmelon (Vozonid)

### Places with no dukes

Constituent regions of Bujan that do not have a duke always go after Zremandil City in traditional counting. They are usually not counted among the "thirty-three provinces".

Reflecting this, in the Holy Veche they are represented by nearby provinces, whose High Volkhovs (High Priests) address their issues on their behalf.

* 34. Tselan Province - Slonti Province
* 35. Buron City - Buron Province

The five autonomous nations of the Outer Islands do not meet at the Holy Veche or send candidates into the Bujanski monarchy, as they are treated like allied nations or protectorates. Though officially considered as Bujanski subjects, they have to still send ambassadors and emissaries, as if they are independent states.

### "Orange regions"

The "orange lands" were the parts of Bujan that voted to protect Terrans instead of kill them. They rightly considered the massacres of July to be a war crime worthy of the Wannaenids, treason against their kingdom.

It was from there where modern Bujan was truly reborn.

* Koscheigrad
* Mahapuri
* Chano Province
* Dēdogron Province
* Vaitos Province
* Razhno Province
* Buron Province
* Iunsaa Province
* Bimewjan Island, Nojenso Province
	+ Although it was the capital of the Khvostians, the locals voted to integrate the remaining Terrans and deradicalise them, instead of killing them for being Terrans.
* Starij Province
* Estagrad Province
	+ The heartland of the Free North, which immediately raised orange flags to welcome Loyalists fleeing persecution.
* Buron City
* southern Olan Province
	+ To reward hundreds of Terrans who used a massive reward by the government to rebuild the province and a tunnel to Arienai; and especially paying as much money as they could as compensation for their collective crimes against their victims.

### "Dark-flagged regions"

On the other hand, some provinces in Bujan raised black flags, banning even their own national flags to represent mourning and hatred of Terran people. Although much of Bujan was legally "anti-Terran", some parts of Bujan banned Terrans and Salvationists from entry, turning away, expelling, or even murdering anyone suspected of being Terran.

* Ruisan Province
* Vlesto Province
* Esmero Province
* Jokin Province
* Resok Province - it, Eshad, and Deritsa Province were the former heartland of the death gangs.
	+ Their proposed "Restored Kingdom of Zvesta" (also known as "Dark Bujan" or "Red Bujan") would have killed any Terran on sight.
* Eshad Province
* Deritsa Province
* Selon Province
* Teimoi Province
* Zremandil City

## Trivia

* Each province has its own flag, but the autonomous parts also have their own anthems.
* However, citizens may travel between most of these provinces freely, except for the eastern provinces due to Wannaenid attacks. When travelling in or through the eastern shores, one must pay a fee to the guards to be granted access. Easterners must have a special card that exempts them from paying the fee when travelling out of their provinces or returning home.
* The R21 Highway of Bujan also happens to share the same name as an actual highway somewhere in Russia, from Saint Petersburg to Murmansk. That is where the author named the eastern end of Bujan's highway as Kōlansk, after a town that gave the highway its name, "Kola Motorway".
	+ Bujan's southerly tropical climate may be similar to that of Florida or Sochi. Snow rarely falls beyond the "Snow Line", as clouds that cross it warm into rain clouds, leading to floods and mud along the climate line every December.
	+ The Snow Line, along with its resulting floods from melting snow and heavy winter rains, watered newer jungles and forests that grew from abandoned ancient farmland.
* In March 2023, the author renamed Bæniso Province to Bærjuso Province, due to the previous name sounding obscene.
* On May 2023, the author renamed Nonso Province to Nojenso Province, again to avoid making the name sound obscene.
* There are twenty-four clock towers built at around 300 AT, during the Kingdom of Zvesta. Each represents an hour of the day, with each tower designed in the culture of its respective region or one of the cultures of Bujan. All of them were rebuilt on the third year of independence from Wannaenid rule.
	+ The twenty-fourth clock tower is at Koscheigrad, Unity Tower, with a roof of green and red tiles based on a mixed Slavic-Wonao design, and is seen as one of the most beautiful structures in the capital.
* At the eve of Wannaenid conquest, Bujan (then known as Zvesta) had twenty-nine provinces.
* The scenario of an Arnadjanai or Ontemazei becoming King or Queen of Bujan is an amusing theme in alternate history fiction. Dystopian or satirical fiction works sometimes depict a Bujanski of Terran descent ending up elected as King of Bujan, only to prove his people that he is still loyal to the country he is born under.

### Inspiration

* Bujan's political characteristics were inspired by a mixture of Malaysia, New Zealand, Britain, and Japan, with influences from Thailand and Russia.
	+ Bujan's federal monarchy was somewhat inspired by the Malaysian monarchy, as both elect new monarchs. However, while Malaysian kings are elected every few years, royal houses in Bujan are elected every 100 years, after which they must leave the royal palace, and the next royal election is held.
	+ "The Home Islands", as a name for the main islands of Bujan, was based on the Japanese archipelago being known as the "Home Islands". In Japanese, this term is translated as Nihon Hondo (日本本土), both for the main area during World War II against the colonies, and the four main islands.
	+ Bujan's modern society was partly inspired by British Victorian clothing, Russian paganism, fairy tales, and memes, modern Japanese society and pop culture, and Thailand. To some extent, the Slavs of Bujan and the other Wonao nations were also inspired by Russian tourists in Thailand and Bali.
	+ Its coexistence of Bujanski Slavs and native Wonaos was inspired by New Zealand's European and Maori peoples.
	+ Bujan's state union with several nations to the south was influenced by the dual monarchy of Norway-Sweden.

## See also

* Provinces of Gdjestrana
* Provinces of Sevraeja
* Provinces of Marnos
* Provinces of Heronoja
* Provinces of Siangwaan
* Bujanski dialects
* List of Bujanski flags