Asarāvijā

Ancestral Origins
The people of the Goshumese provinces are said to have ancestry predating all other civilizations on the continent of Plagos. During the Stone Ages beginning 10,000 BSS, many hunter-gatherer tribes had crossed the land bridge which once connected the southeastern edges of Plagos with the northeast corners of the Nieden super continent. While some sought refuge in the mountainous plateau where the present-day capital of the republic currently sits, most of the Goshumese early peoples had spread throughout the forests southwest of the plateau, living in earthen huts of sod and stone.

The Goshumese population demographic had been split between multiple different ethnic groups, but shared a similar culture and belief system due to their close proximity with one another. As the neolithic period ushered in an era of agricultural advancement, many of the lowland tribes had began to migrate to the northeast of their forested region, to the mountainous plateau which would later be known as "Hagaema", literally meaning "Cold Mountain Place."

These lowland tribes had pioneered a form of land reclamation, constructing "floating gardens" out of soil and tightly woven together by intricate wooden frames, forming a network of several rectangular shapes out of fertilized soil, which would float above on the ocean's surface. The innovative stone works of the northeastern mountain tribes would prove to work wonders when merged with the botanic genius of the lowland tribes, making way for a prospering indigenous civilization of the Plagosian continent.

Ethnic Groups
Goshumä's native demographic is split into three broadly categorized majorities, the Syuric, Hagen, and Tani people, whom are then divided into even more ethnic minorities within those groups based on geographic location and cultures. The Syuric people are found in the regions southwest of Hagaema, and have had their influence on many of Goshumä's present day cultural aspects, including the innovation of the floating gardens which had allowed for the country's swift increase in food surplus. The Hagen ethnic groups predominately covered the mountainous valleys, alpines, and steppes of the Hagaema Province, and have spread outwards into the surrounding areas of the continent, most well-known for their invention of the iconic stone brick architecture seen inside the capital. At the fall of Goshumä's imperial age, a diaspora scattered outwards from Hagaema and came to be known as the Tani people, carrying fragments of Goshumese culture and language with them while digressing back to their traditional nomadic way of life as it was before imperial conquest and occupation. Tani groups are most usually found within the remote grasslands of Khoribohen, but can be found out beyond the borders that were established by the later Plagatéan Confederacy.

Government
After the fall of the Tsaliyakhurugori Empire, the power had fallen back into the hands of the people. The survival of the Goshumese population then relied on the communal gathering and distribution of resources. This post-imperial age led to the creation of Goshumá's modernized form of governance, a socialist meritocracy, where status had no longer been determined by aristocracy or inherited birthright, but purely the individual's honed talent and labor.

The Màsenghjōn (Administers' Order) is the highest group, overseeing the diplomatic relations of the country, as well as the nation's internal concerns such as infrastructural projects, military, resource distribution, and scientific advancements. Included in this group of politicians is the country's national leader, otherwise known as the Kanǐràm (literally meaning: "country's voice") whose position is more like that of a figurehead's. While the Kanǐràm gets to make blunt suggestions on what actions for the country to take depending on the given scenario, it is the rest of the Order which determines the practicality of that decision, as well as figuring out how an action would impact the country. If the Kanǐràm's judgements are approved, he/she then has the power to deliver the command to the ministries below. The Kanǐràm, like the other members of the Order, are chosen by the people, implying that they are to serve limited terms.

Below the Màsenghjōn is the Haraēnmèi (Executive Bureau), the larger political body which is comprised of chief representatives from smaller ministries, which concern themselves with the many vital aspects of the country's land and population. Ministries include but are not limited to: the ministry of infrastructure, agriculture, justice, health, arsenal, and academics. Commands from the Kanǐràm and the Màsenghjōn must be further approved by the appropriate groups from the Haraēnmèi before being put into action.

In addition, leaders of towns and cities must also attend national assemblies, and are formally recognized as regional representatives of their respective domains.

Culture and Etiquette
Modesty, restraint, and ambition are the three keystones of the desirable Goshumese persona. The preservation and elongation of the human life expectancy is the highest priority of the nation, whose people take great leaps in self-care in order to make their greatest impression to the outside world while they are still alive. The influence of philosophies encouraging clean precision and great environmental care is seen physically manifested in Goshumese urban design. Structures are fairly distanced from each other to let the winds pass through, gardens and other minor attractions are added to fill in any empty space between these structures, and every building is made sure to be properly illuminated as to discourage nightly vermin from intruding upon them.

In Goshumä, it is considered rude to hold grudges, and even more so to make foolish decisions because of them. Public disturbance is also heavily frowned upon, either through forms of harassment like catcalling, or acts of physical violence such as brawls or even simply just shoving past other pedestrians. When visiting Goshumä, some foreigners are often bluntly discouraged by the native civilians for their overly-extroverted facades, which usually break the rules of public conduct which the Hagen ethnic groups have followed since the start of Goshumese urbanization.

If one is offered a gift, it is customary to return the favor by requesting for how the giver might be repaid for their generosity. However, it may be viewed as greedy if the receiver of this gift asks for any more of this item(s) than they have already been given. When greeting an individual, one must maintain a neutral expression. Smirking would be seen as a sign of mockery, and avoiding eye contact during the activity would come off as insincere, showing that you are not taking this individual seriously. Between groups of people, staring can be one of the many visual cues commonly used to assert authority amongst one another, and is sometimes used as an intimidation tactic during an argument. If one is causing public disturbance, Goshumese civilians will not openly retaliate, rather they will maintain this blank expression and silently stare at the culprit en masse. Looking away during a stare-down is then seen as submission. Wearing armor within city areas is highly forbidden, as it is only used while engaging in combat, and can be interpreted as a sign of open hostility. However, it is often acceptable to wear if the individual in question is involved with a dangerous operation, such as construction work or mining.

Cuisine
The Goshumese diet is mostly vegetarian, but can include meats aswell, depending on the region of the republic. The diets of those who live in the mountainous plateau are often based around starchy and fibrous foods, such as wheat, rice, potatoes, and root vegetables such as radishes and carrots. Lamb meat was commonly farmed in the mountainous provinces as sheep could survive in colder climates due to their thick coats of wool. Goshumá prides itself on baking as one of their main culinary standards, and as such will include bread with a variety of spices and seasonings. Beef and pork are commonly consumed, while poultry is often avoided by many due to religious belief, since avian creatures are usually associated with Mashurām, the Goshumese deity of rain and harvest, who is said to usually take on the forms of geese, swans, ducks, and chickens. In the colder seasons, Goshumá outlasts the highland snowstorms with stews of beef and carrot.