Rondônia (Hellfire)

## Rondônia

### Languages

Portuguese (Official Language; 78%), Spanish (48%), Aikanã (6%), Eru-Eu-Wau-Wau (5%), Other (1-14%)

### Religions

Roman Catholic (60%), Protestant (12%), Folk Catholicism (6%), Other (9%), Non-Religious (13%)

## Population

### Ethnic Groups

Pardos/Mixed (40%), Branco/Caucasian (31%), Indigenous (18%) , Pretos/Black (6%), Amarelos/Asian (2%), Other (3%)

## Overview

Rondônia (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁõˈdonjɐ]), officially the *Republic of Rondônia*, is a small nation in central South America. It gained its independance from Brazil during the 2006 Brazilian Civil War.

## History

### Precolonial Era

The Rondônian jungles have been inhabited by indigenous hunter-gatherer soceities since thousands of years. Unlike other south american cultures they rarely erected settlements or larger buildings. The only exception for this where the great temples they build in the debts of Rondônias western jungles; to honor the Neverborn they summoned and coexisted with. The Rondônian indigenious tribes had a long tradition of invocing Neverborn for guidance and support, and their priests would court them to create Halfblood lines to serve as the shared embodiment of the spiritual and material world. With the arrival of the first european settlers, these temples where soon abandoned and forgotten.

### Colonial Era

Rondônia was long inhabited by various indigenous cultures. During the colonial period spanish settlers reached the valley of Guapore and began establishing the first settlements during the early 16th century. As time went on different european nations claimed and lost ownership over the region. During the 19th century the region became formally part of the brazilian empire; although it took years for it to be properly mapped by Marshal *Cândido Rondon*, after which the territory would later be named.

Aside from its export of rubber and brazil nuts Rondônia would remain fairly irrelevant for the empire at large. However, due to the large parts of unexplored mountainous rainforest and the numerous tribes of naitives the region would soon become a refuge for many freedom fighters and members of the indigenous resistance against brazilian rule- especially for the Halfbloods that lead the fight. The most notable of these was (...), a particularly fierce Halfblood that was persecuted by the brazilian army for destorying railway and infrastructure lines to delay the expansion into the west. He was persecuted by Coronel (...) and encircled in the jungles near Massaco. After a siege that took several months and a final bloody battle (...) and his allies where captured and brutally executed. Upon their deathsight Coronel (...) would later construct an outpost and his personal office. Rondônia was only federal territory back then, he would become the first rondônian governor.

### Brazilian Rule

As time went on Rondônia became more and more integrated in Brazil as a whole, with infrastrucute projects and modernisation efforts. Like in many other parts of Brazil the tensions between the european settlers, the slaves of african descend and the indigenous population grew more and more problematic; often leading to violence in cities or across the countryside. These peaked in brazilian military dictatorship and the subsequent civil war in 2006.

### Independence

It was *Alexandre Braganza,* a distant relative of the old brazilian Summoner nobility, used the revolutionairy fever that spread across Rondônia to overthrow the elected governer of the province. After a short and violent purge of his political oponents across Rondônias north-west he declared Rondônia independant and became president in a subsequent and rapid election.

The brazilian goverment did not recognise his claim, but due to the heavy unrest was unable to intervene immedeatly. Since lawful and diplomatic measures failed the goverment attempted a military supression of the independant province. After more than 6 months since Alexandres election the first brazilian troops arrived at the eastern border. What ensued was a bloody but short military conflict. The brazilian troops devastated much of the eastern country side, but Alexandre had already prepared his soldiers. While the small Rondônian forces where quickly defeated the brazilian army suffered heavily casualities. In a descision controversial to this day, Alexandre send his Neverborn to attack and destroy the remnants of the brazilian troops. After his victory he made a pact with the indigenous groups of the east- employing eligable men and soldiers and reenforcing their ranks with young Halfbloods while promising them autonomy after the end of the war. With this force Alexandre started a counter offensive under the guise of protecting the republics new borders. The rondônian army managed to capture new territory at the eastern and southern border; which was fought for in a brutal back and fourth over the course of three years. In the end the brazilian army was forced to retreat and the new territories officially became part of the republic of Rondônia.

After the war for indepandance had ended, Alexandre Braganza resumed his position as president and attempted to solidify the rule of the new republic and the unity. However he would only rule for 2 years before dying in a hospital in Porto Velho. The circumstances of his death are unclear to this day; and while many suspect a family intruige the official report was an assassination attempt from Brazil. Since his term as president had not ended and he had not appointed a vice president; his nephew *Filipe Braganza* stepped in and assumed the position of president.

### *A depuração*

Filipe was an amibitious man and in the first months of his presidency he released many controversial reforms of the education system, police and military. He would go on to nationalise almost all parts of the economy to strengthen Rondônia and heavily expanded the exploitation of the countries plantations and natural resources- among which newly discovered silver mines and oil deposits. Filipe would also go on to betray the agreement his uncle had made with the indigenous groups that had supported the rondônian military- removing their autonomy over their regions in order to claim large parts of the rainforest for agriculture and wood production- which lead to protests across the entire country.

*A depuração*

## Provinces

### Madeira

   The former capital province of Rondônia is among the most visited parts of the country and enjoys active tourism. Both in regards to its easily accessable nature, boat tours along the Rio Madeira and the traditional buildings in the former capital of Porto Velho it has alot of to offer. The city is by far the largest by population and hosts both historic and modern buildings. The authorities ensure that criminality is low in the areas visited by tourists. While they pose no threat to foreigners, the Madeira police force is notorious for being infiltraited by extremist militias with a special hatred towards indigenous Rondônians and Halfbloods. The provincial goverment has long tried to townplay this issue and suppressed any news stories concerning their unlawful activities. Madeira overall is very concerned with its image, both to the outside world and to Rondônia as a whole.

### Sul

The southernmost province Sul is known for its vast countryside and rural communities. Most of its forests have been burned down to make ways for gigantic cattle farms, which are the main export of the region. Aside from the *Rodovia Transnacional* there are few intact roads or railways leading through the countryside and most of its communities can only be reached by jeeps. Its provincial capital is Comodoro, the largest city in the area. While it mostly consists of suburbs the city center has recently modernised and undergoes active urban development.

Sul is undergoing contiounus civil conflict. It is by far the most right-wing province of the country- divided between brazilian seperatist groups and branco monarchists.

### Coração

Coração represent the Rondônian heartlands. They are the most densly populated area and have large roads and rail systems that connect the country side to the larger cities. Compared to western countries Coração is still a rural province with low development; but it is leading in the area. Coraçãos capital is Carcoal, a city that has grown fairly large in recent years and host most of the provinces urban workers. Many international corporations have begun investing in it since parts of the economy where privatised and build large factories and production halls since regulations where eased. Carcoal is also renowned for its export of high quality coffee.

### Ocidente

Ocidente is a troubled province. It is extremly poor and the prime example of the damage the reforms of *A depuração* caused*.* It is systemically underdevelopment, ridden with organised crime, and suffers from countless structural failings. Its many indigenous groups have been driven out of their traditional territories and many remain dispossessed and disenfranchised. Its population is extremly divided in both politics and demographics and large parts of the countryside are controlled by the (...) cartel. Most the cocaine and synthetic drugs produced in Rondônia are grown here and the goverment has struggled against organised crime without much success.

### Lesser Provinces

* **Serra da Cutia-** is the largest rainforest area in Rondônia and has the lowest population density in the entire country. It mostly consists of conservation areas, indigenous reservations and unexplored jungle. It hosts some of the largest indigenous groups such as the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau and the Guapore.
* **Zoró**- is one of the new provinces and almost entirely covered in rainforest. It hosts many indigenous groups, intercepted by small villages, anarchist communes and seperatist military camps. It hosts many conflicts, both civic and militarily, which broader rondonian soceity knows little to nothing about.
* **Vilhena-** is a divided province. To its west lies a rural country side that mostly subsists off cattle farming and agriculture; and a dense rainforest inhabited by various indigenous groups to the west. The west is staunchly liberal while the east is a stage for conflicts between anarchist and seperatist groups.
* **Massacao-** is a mountainous region surrounding the capital. Its indigenous groups are much more organised than their counterparts in the east and they are staunchly anti monarchist. The goverment fears potential attacks from this region, but this far it has layed dormant.

## Politics

### Political Parties

* **(PPRR)** **The Peoples Revolutionairy Party of Rondônia**- *Partido Popular Revolucionário de Rondônia***:** The PPRR is a far-left party that rejects parlamentarian rule and seeks to bring about political change with direct action and protest. Their declared goal is gathering support for a revolution to overthrow the current goverment. Even if gaining enough votes they activly refuse to claim parlamentary seats or involve themselves with electoral politics.
* **(UP)-** **Progressive Union-** *União Progressista*: The UP is a social democratic party that prioritises welfare, workers rights, civil liberties and nationalistation of the economy. Even though they are openly sympathetic to socialist ideas they claim to not activly work towards it in their current state; instead seeking to unite any left-leaning voters in the country.
* **Green Alliance**- *Aliança verde*: The green party of Rondônia has its roots in indigenous activist groups and ecoterrorists that arose in the early 2000s due to the increasing deforestation and destruction of Rondônias enviroment. Over time they became more involved in electoral politics and in the recent years they rebranded themselves as *Aliança verde*. Their have formally renounced their more radical elements and are almost entirely focussed on enviromental policies. They are also fervent supporters of indigenous autonomous zones.
* **(PNR)-** **Rondônian National Party-** *Partido Nacional Rondoniense:* The PNR was created by the first democratically elected president after the *depuração* and has remained the most popular party in the country ever since. They openly advertise themselves as a major party, claiming to advocate and support the interests of all of Rondônias. They are often hesitant to implement fast or more radical changes and are the largest advocates for a privatisation of the economy and the strengthening of relations with the rest of the world.
* **(FUR)-** **United Front of Rondônia-** *Frente Unida de Rondônia:* The FUR was Rondônias first political party and used to be heavily associated with the Braganzian Summoner Nobility. Since Braganzian Summoners have begun to run for the PNR the FUR has degraded to a far right party with far less popular support. Their main policies include increased funding and legal priveleges for the members of the royal family; increased political power for the catholic church aswell as a mandatory catholic education, and the strenghtening of the police force and military.
* **(MSR) Rondônian Seperatist Movement-** *Movimento de Separação Rondônia*: The MSR is a recently founded far-right party that seeks reunification with Brazil.

### Organisation

The Rondônian goverment is organised in the Cabinet which contains its ministries and offices; the parlament and the royal assembly. The Cabinet proposes bills and both the parlament and royal assembly have to vote on it; requiring 40% of the votes from both institutions for it to pass. The parlement has a total of 10 seats and the royal assembly a total of 5.

#### The Cabinet

* **President:** The head of state and goverment, elected for four years
* **Minister:** Representative and leader of a ministry, appointed by the President
* **State Secretary:** Elected politicians serving in the ministries, responsible for official statements and draft bills, appointed by their Minister
* **Federal Judge:** A federal judge that sits in the state court, appointed by the President
* **Director:** Head of one of the federal agencies, such as the ISR, the federal police or the tax agency

#### Parlament

* **Head of Parlament:** Leader of the Parlament, decides when a bill is voted on, can veto any descision the parlament makes; elected by the Parlament
* **Representative:** An elected representative that votes on bills; the number of which is allocated based on their parties election results

#### Royal Assembly

* **Head of the Royal Assembly:** Leader of the Royal Assembly, can veto any descision the royal assembly makes; chosen internally by the Braganza family
* **Royal Deputy:** Deputy that votes on bills; each chosen internally by the Braganza family

### Rondônian Ministries

The Rondônian goverment is comprised of X ministries, organised by funding:

* **Ministry of Internal Affairs**
* **Ministry of Foreign Affairs**
* **Ministry of Labour**
* **Ministry of Infrastructure**
* **Ministry of Justice**
* **Ministry of Agriculture**
* **Ministry of Education**
* **Ministry of Finance**
* **Ministry of Trade**
* **Ministry of Health**
* **Ministry of Enviromental Protection**
* **Ministry of Digital Innovation and Protection**
* **Ministry of Family, Marriage and Fertility**
* **Ministry of Culture**

### Press

The Rondônian Press is active in 3 mayor forms of media: Cable, Digital Newsletter and Social Media.

#### Social Media

* **Media Buzz-** DD

### Ideologies

    The *Centre for Political Research Rondônia* categorises the most common political dispositions in Rondônia in the following categories:\***Anarchists** oppose state controll and representative democracy, fighting for radical freedom and leftist economic models such as socialism.

* **Autonomists** are insigenous groups that seek autonomy over their own lands. Some of them wish to have their reservations become entirely independant from the Rondônian state; others simply seek goverment representation and civic liberties.
* **Social democrats** are a broad group of leftists that seek economic reform, civil rights and oppose monarchist rule. They range from socialists and syndicalists to left of center liberals.
* **Republicans** are centrists that value the constitution, liberty, the rule of law and free markets. They range from neoliberals to tradional conservatives.
* **Monarchists** are fervent supporters of the Braganzian monarchy, the power of the catholic church and tradionalist values.
* **Seperatists** are far right groups that seek reunification with Brazil aswell as a clear seperation between racial groups and the removal of Halfbloods from the federation

### The Braganza Family

The Braganza are the leading Summoner family and are guaranteed legal protections, state funding and improved housing opportunities. The Rondônian Braganza, which are not officially recognised as related to the protuguese Braganza, have courted several lesser Summoner families in their shadow which are reliant on their status and protection. The largest of these are: *Algarves*, *Faro* and *Alcântara*.

### Current Political Situation

Since the victory of *Gabriel Braganza* under the PNR, the goverment fully represents the interest of the Summoners, royalists and democratic republicans. Because of this authority they ensured their election victories since the last 12 years; however Gabriel Braganza is a universal moderate with little interest in broad reforms or changes that might upset any part of his base. In the shadow of this neoliberal goverment extremist parties have grown in populartity and power, and will no doubt continue to do so. It has gotten so bad that no other party was willing to enter a coalition with PNR in 2048 since the FUR moved further rightwards and the UP did not want to implicate themselves- leading to a minority goverment that has little power to pass legislation.

### Ideologies

The *Centre for Political Research Rondônia* categorises the most common political dispositions in Rondônia in the following categories:

* **Anarchists** oppose state controll and representative democracy, fighting for radical freedom and leftist economic models such as socialism.
* **Autonomists** are insigenous groups that seek autonomy over their own lands. Some of them wish to have their reservations become entirely independant from the Rondônian state; others simply seek goverment representation and civic liberties.
* **Social democrats** are a broad group of leftists that seek economic reform, civil rights and oppose monarchist rule. They range from socialists and syndicalists to left of center liberals.
* **Republicans** are centrists that value the constitution, liberty, the rule of law and free markets. They range from neoliberals to tradional conservatives.
* **Monarchists** are fervent supporters of the Braganzian monarchy, the power of the catholic church and tradionalist values.
* **Seperatists** are far right groups that seek reunification with Brazil aswell as a clear seperation between racial groups and the removal of Halfbloods from the federation

## Foreign Relations

Currently only 65 countries formally recognise the Republic of Rondônia as a sovereign state. Most notably among these are the USA, most of western europe aswell as the entire east of South America. 33 countries activly deny the countries independance from brazil, among which brazil itself, portugal, russia and eastern europe. The majority of countries have no official stance on the issue. Frente Unida de Rondônia

While it has neutral or tense relations with most nations across the world, Rondônia maintains a close friendship with Bolivia aswell as other formerlly brazilian states like Acre and Javari.

### Summoner relations

The *Rondônian Braganza* officially claim to be an extension of the portuguese Braganza and a continuation of their european and brazilian legacy. The Braganza themselves deny this connection- claiming Alexandre Braganza was only the result of an affair and thus not of adequate lineage. In addition the actions of the *Rondônian Braganza* during the war for independance disqualify them from their status of nobility in the eyes of their eastern relatives.

Other Lineages do not hold such a radical stance. Most of them simply consider them a lesser noble line that deserves little respect or recognition, although they are not activly hostile towards them. The generally refer to them by their international name - *Rondônian Braganza -* and view them as a renegade offshoot of their greater family. Since the family considers this name offensive, they are usually adressed to as *Rondônian nobility* in official statements or by diplomats.

### Conflict with Brazil

Brazil still does not recognise Rondônia as an independant nation; just as it does not recognise any of their other former territories that claimed independance in the aftermath of the 2006 civil war. Military conflicts have ceased since several years, but there is evidence of brazil activly funding seperatist groups in the south of the country.

## Hot Button Issues

### Civic

* **Confessional privilege:** The FUR is currently pushing to expand the Priest–penitent privilege; making it illegal for catholic priests to disclose or forward information about criminal activities or intentions if they learned about them during a confession; even anonymously. As a basis for this they pushed the PNR to forward a bill that would make it legal to withhold this information- something illegal for therapists on family court attourneys. The bill is currently discussed in parlament and the left has publically announced it will attempt to block it- calling in an attempt to conceal the organised pedophilia in the church.
* **Controversial Holidays and Statues-** The *Nascimento da Nação*, one of two national holidays, celebrates the execution of the Halfblood partisan Céara. It has become increasingly controversial in recent years and is protested annually across large parts of the nation- while the conservative right defends it as a national tradition. Rondônias first brazilian governor *Mendôza Corez* is still a widely celebrated figure who was appointed for his fight against rebels and indigenous tribes. On the same note activists have begun defacing old statues of Filipe Braganza- a controversial figure that is still considered a national hero by many.
* **Voting Age-** The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 as part of a recent legal form- which many conservative judges argue was unconstitional. They are currently campaigning on raising the voting age- while left-leaning parties advocate for it to be lowered even further.
* **Gay Rights-** Rondônia still has anti-sodomy laws from the time of its brazilian governance. While these laws are no longer enforced several police officers successfully exhonorated themselves before courts for their unlawful killings or arrests of queer victims. On the national stage gay marriage is being debated- which is still illegal in Rondônia, even though several states have already legalised it locally.
* **Protected Classes-** The rondônian law has a very limited selection of protected classes- men, women and catholic christians. While certain provinced have ammended their local laws to account for various minority groups; in the majority of the country it is both legal and common to discriminate against indigenous groups and queer people when it comes to job and housing opportunities.
* **Sangue Sujo**- Also known as "Sullied Blood", this is a conspiracy theory that has grown more popular among the far fringes of the right in recent years. It basically states that the once noble blood of the Braganza has been covertly corrupted and that they are secretly Halfbloods. Some argue this was through some great demon that has taken a hold of them, others blame a dark ritual or ritualistic orgy of the head of family. Seperatists have begun pushing this theory in the ranks of catholic nationalists to erode their faith into the Summoner nobility, with increasing success.
* **Indigenous Claims to Autonomy-** The broken pact with the indigenous groups of the east is a contentious issue since decades; and pro indigenous activists have grown increasingly radical in the recent years. Some simply argue for autonomous zones or increased representation; others wish to fully secede from the country. However the topic has recenlty been pushed into discourse by trying to redirect the blame of seperatist attacks on indigenous groups and incorporating them into their larger narrative about globalisation and corruption of traditional Rondônia.

### *Domestic*

* ***Pri*sons-** The International Human Rights Index (IHRI) ranks on place 15th for the worst conditions and human rights abuses. Most prisons are in desolate locations, poorly maintained, unsafe and extremly unsanitary. The Prison guards usually have free reign over their prisoners and make deals with local prison gangs. People can become convicted extremly easily and almost all prisons are overcrowded and filled past capacity. As a result every 5th inmate will die in prison, even those senteanced for less than a year. There is an increasing trend of political activists being incarcarated for the most miniscule of offenses. Another issue is the clear bias law enforcement has against Halfbloods, which are put in common prisons without additional security.
* **White Supremacist Networks in the Maderia Police-** The Madeira police is known for being very friendly and protective of tourists; and in return crack down hard on domestic crime. The Madeiran police has been systematically infiltraited by white supremacist groups that activly seek to incarcarate or kill indigenous, black and Halfblood offenders. The provincial goverment has denied the issue, which has caused national outrage from the left.
* **Corruption in Ocidente-** Organised crime and cocaine cartels run rampand in Ocidente and the local police force has been implicated on corruption serveral times. The federal police has tried to fight against crime and corrpution in the province- thus far with no success. The right has leveled the most criticisms, claiming the PNRs policies has made them weak and
* **Increasing extremist violence-** Since the last election politically motived violence and terrorist attacks have increased by 25% from anarchist groups in the west and by 72% from brazilian seperatist groups in the east. Both have entered national discussion and serve as a stage for discussions about increased funding for law enforcement and military units.

### *Economic*

* **Privatisation of the economy-** Since the lasting victory of the PNR the rondônian goverment has slowly begun to privatise increasing parts of its economy and infrastructure- From the extraction of natural resources over large parts of agriculture to the public transportation between cities. While the establishment celebrates this for strengthening Rondônias economy and casting of the shadow of Filipe Braganzas dictatorial rule; both the far left and right have leveled heavy criticisms- fearing expolitation and foreign influence.
* **Anti-Protest Legislation-** The rondônian parlament has recently passed a law that requires protesting workers to compensate buisnesses for the losses caused due to striking. The right considers this a necessairy measure to protect the rondônian economy, the left argues it makes striking impossible for workers.
* **Inheritable Debts-** The rondônian labour crisis is traditionally split between the rural areas where exploitation and wage theft grow increasingly common- and urban areas where a debt economy is being created. These debts often accumulate over a lifetime without being payed off, but inheritability is often circumnavigated through a system of legal loopholes. The FUR is currently pushing for a law that would allow creditors to enforce inhertable debt contracts even on distant family members and remove limitations on inheritable debts- something the PNR considers to support.
* **Braindrain-** The rondônian economy is mostly comprised of low-income jobs in agriculture, forest controll and construction. They are in desperate need for specialists, academics and skilled workers to expand their economy. For the last decade the PNR has tried to solve this problem with educational programms and better universities- which where successful. However the vast majority of specialists do not stay in Rondônia but migrate to wealthier countries- leading to a braindrain effect. The FUR has made it the focus of their economic strategy to promote policies that encourage specialists to say in country through benefits and debt relief aswell as a push for more national love and patriotism. The PNR has blocked these efforts and prefers to invest in a better economy, while the left has largely ignored this issue.

### *Enviromental*

* **Loss of rainforest-** Rondônian rainforests are shrinking at a record rate as more and more land is being privatised and burned for cattle farming and agriculture. This is endangering local ecosystems and permanently damaging the quality of the soil.
* **Pollution in the Rio Maderia-** The Rio Madeira, Rondônias largest river, is being polluted upstream in Bolivia- something the bolivian goverment refuses to adress.