Mir Yusuf at a lake. Abstract portrayal of the slums in Iran (2019).
Iran (pronounced: "E-rahn") is a region in the specieswapped Pokémon universe, Mioo, Dorost Ast!. It's based on real-life Iran and partially the Middle East as a whole.
It was initially created to replace the original anime's version of "Hollywood" and is the place of birth of Team Rocket's Mir Yusuf.
Demographics
Ethnic groups
Iran is diverse in the sense it has an almost equal distribution of Persian Caucasians, Arabs, and those with perceivable African blood. Regardless of looks, they're all considered to be Persian/Iranian.
Less than 1% isn't a native resident, since Iran's inhabitable, comfortable areas are too expensive to live in.
Persian is the country's main language and the tourist-heavy West has also adapted English out of necessity. Easterners don't know any language but their own.
Religion
The Muslim faith is a common practise, which revolves around Arceus in this universe. Its name is pronounced "Ar-see-yus" by its followers, who themselves are dubbed "Arceans".
Many (Eastern) women are seen wearing hijabs or loose shawls, though it's more of a cultural practise, since their holy scripture does not mention the need for it. Extremely devoted believers argue Arceus' "hood-like" head refers to the hijab and also want men to wear an appropriate hat when going out to pray.
All Arceans carry with them a piece of jewellery, supposedly made from Arceus' body ring and thus blessed with its powers. Westerners boldly state their trinkets to be the real deal, while Easterners know theirs are made from the head coins of wild Meowths. To show off Arceus' appearance, like in illustrations or sculptures, is frowned upon under the notion no piece of art will ever capture its glory. Its body ring is the preferred representation for Arceus.
In the original series, the prospect of Arceus being the creator of all originates from Sinnoh/Hisui, where its people also argue their land to have come into existence first. The people of Iran believe they're the world's first inhabitants, though, and the two countries are at odds with each other over it.
Another difference in their belief is the origin of Sinnoh's lake guardians and the dragon trio, who Arceans believe are irrelevant, and that humans aided Arceus with the development of the world.
In Iran's religious texts, it speaks of Arceus' affinity for followers that reject physical reality by allowing both their body and mind to be destroyed beyond repair. Those who match the horrifying criteria detailed in the scripture are supposedly granted a divine, but unspecified gift when their lifespan has come to a natural end;
Modern Arceans find the requirements unfitting for what they believe is a kind god, and think it's an exaggerated mistranslation that meant to convey there's true bliss in not putting too much value in your appearance, nor should you feel shame when you lack education.
While the concept of suffering was a highly regarded belief in the ancient past, and there's still a small following convinced it's true, there's never been anyone "courageous" enough to test out the scripture. It warns that suicide is a forbidden act and thought, making things complicated, as this tends to come naturally when a living creature goes through continuous mental and physical pain.
At the same time, orthodox believers think that trying to appeal to Arceus this way is pointless and rude, as the scripture speaks of a prophesied child -born under a full, yellowish moon, surrounded by a cloud formation resembling the body ring- who is fated to suffer and fail from birth to death, and thus get the reward.
Geography
The land is shaped like real-life Iran, but consists out of two distinguishable halves; the rich West and the poor East.
West Iran
The West is home of many large and luxurious cities, though thieves with a disdain for the rich hide out in alleys or slums they've set up at the far outskirts. A few criminal organizations have sprung out of this hatred and made it their goal to terrorize wealthy residents and tourists.
"Looking out of place" or begging on the streets of Western cities hasn't been made illegal over it, since West Iran argues to be a modern state of acceptance, yet residents and police officers are free to inflict abuse under the guise of feeling threatened, meaning poor people/non-residents still have less rights.
- Kaufa City
- Kaufa is a large city, surrounded by rugged mountains. It's considered the only real entrance into the West when coming from the East, and an expensive toll gate blocks casual entrance. There's plenty of public transport to make use of, including an airport.
- It's connected to the East's Square Ruins and Kent's Hot Springs.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Pearl Badge. The Pokémon featured here are rock and fairy types.
- Kent's Hot Springs
- "Kent's Hot Springs" is a spa-themed city, owned by a petty, wealthy businessman named Kent. It used to be a normal city, until bought by Kent and turned into a luxurious holiday resort. Having that said, people are not allowed to enter without paying an entrance fee, which fluctuates constantly, since Kent is always trying to win customers over his rival, Sejir.
- It's connected to Kaufa City and Sejir's Cold Springs.
- Sejir's Cold Springs
- "Sejir's Cold Springs" is a spa-themed city, owned by a petty, wealthy businessman named Sejir. It used to be a normal city, until bought by Sejir and turned into a luxurious holiday resort. Having that said, people are not allowed to enter without paying an entrance fee, which fluctuates constantly, since Sejir is always trying to win customers over his rival, Kent.
- It's connected to Kent's Hot Springs and Melontropomelis.
- Melontropomelis
- Melontropomelis, simply referred to as "Metropolis" at times, is a large city that primarily deals in food and cotton. Most shops and markets across the West buy from them.
- It's connected to Sejir's Cold Springs and Stiil City, of which the latter path is blocked off with a toll gate.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Lake Badge, though ironically, their lake dried up long ago. The mayor blames Kent and Sejir's excessive drilling and water use, while others believe these holiday resorts are too far away to put the blame on. The Pokémon featured here are ground and water types.
- There is a great dislike for the city's "punny" name and many make fun of it.
- Stiil City
- Stiil is a large industrial city with few trees, where every building is made out of metal. There's plenty of public transport to make use of, including an airport.
- It's connected to Melontropomelis and Eagland, of which the former path is blocked off with a toll gate.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Machine Badge. The Pokémon featured here are steel and electric types.
- Eagland
- Eagland is a relatively young city that prides itself in music.
- It's connected to Stiil City and Royal City, of which the latter path is blocked off with a toll gate.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Composition Badge. The Pokémon featured here are strategic Pokémon, who don't focus on fighting moves per se, but the influencing of strength stats, defense, and mobility. They're special in the sense their moves will nearly always hit, making for a challenging battle if the trainer doesn't instantly defeat their opponent.
- Royal City
- Royal City, also called "Royacity", is a large city with an ancient history, which most cities in the West admittedly don't have. There are many sights to see and knowledge to read up on about Iran.
- It's connected to Eagland and Halacheweb, both paths blocked off with a toll gate.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The King's Badge. The Pokémon featured here are powerful, final evolutions.
- Halacheweb
- Halacheweb is a city inhabited by the richest people of Iran and an interpretation of the original show's "Hollywood". It prides itself in the production and distribution of entertainment.
- It's connected to Royal City and a toll gate blocks casual entrance.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Divine Badge; claimed to be made from Arceus' body ring and mimicking the overall look of it. The Pokémon featured here are final evolutions, including rarities and legendaries.
East Iran
The East exists out of scattered desert towns, most of which are unmapped and/or inaccessible. The people have just below-average wealth or less, and live in clay or stone buildings. They try to make a living by trading with their neighbours, and some families own outdated devices and machinery they share with fellow villagers. Having that said, these communities are close with each other and cautious of unfamiliar faces.
Unlike in the West, crime is nearly non-existent in Eastern towns and people are more occupied with wild Pokémon attacks.
- Kheili Hills
- Kheili Hills is a simple town, often visited by archaeologists. Its land is rich with lost artefacts and historic objects.
- Cypress Lane
- Cypress Lane was a once flourishing road with many cypress trees. In present time, one remains, though looks more like someone stuck a small branch in the sand. People are not allowed to touch it, as a popular belief is that the tree has a divine background and needs to remain there if the East ever wants to regain its past glory.
- It's the preferred road to take when leaving Kheili Hills for Barberry Borough, since very few Pokémon come here.
- Barberry Borough
- Barberry Borough is a little town that focusses on the production and selling of edibles. The West buys from them what they can't produce themselves, but refuse to pay in money and abuse the Barberrians' desperation by offering basic, yet necessary items.
- It's connected to Kheili Hills and The Temple of Wisdom.
- Temple of Wisdom/Town of Wisdom
- The Temple of Wisdom is a secluded temple, only visited by a particular division of Arceans. It's unsure what it teaches, as one needs to devote themselves first before access is granted. The temple needs to be accessed in order to visit the small-scale town sitting at the other side.
- There is a gym present, but the badge they hand out is not considered official/necessary to show off at the country's annual Pokémon competition.
- It's connected to Barberry Borough and The Fossilized Village.
- Fossilized Village
- "Fossilized Village" is the nickname for an otherwise nameless desert town. Though many think the name refers to the buildings or people, it relates to the many Pokémon fossils that can be found in the ground. Like Kheili Hills, archaeologists love to dig around the area.
- It's connected to The Temple of Wisdom and Badgirha.
- Badgirha
- Badgirha is the capital city of East Iran, and one of the few mapped places with a proper, registered name. Most Easterners live here.
- A notable feature of this city is its wind towers, visible all over the place and giving people some relief in the desert climate.
- It has a gym where trainers can win The Summer Badge. The Pokémon featured here are flying and fire types.
- It's connected to The Fossilized Village and Persian Plains.
- Persian Passage
- Persian Passage is the road between Badgirha and Persian Plains, traversed by many wild Meowths, Persians, and high level predators. It's considered suicide to make use of it without carrying multiple Pokémon or the use of a closed vehicle.
- It's the only way to Square Ruins.
- Persian Plains
- Persian Plains is a dangerous territory, inhabited by wild Meowths and Persians. There are a few trees, small fresh water lakes, and bushes, making it a tempting area for struggling Easterners to look for food, water, and firewood.
- It's not uncommon to stumble across a human carcass in Persian Plains.
- It's connected to Badgirha and Square Ruins.
- Square Ruins
- Square Ruins is an ancient, abandoned city. According to history books, it used to be a world-famous, prosperous marketplace.
- It's connected to Persian Plains and the West's Kaufa City. Access is closed off with an expensive toll gate that ensures the common Easterner can't enter.
Pokémon
The most common wild Pokémon in Iran are Meowths and their evolved form. They're considered pests opposed to pets and few trainers care to catch one for themselves. The creatures are dangerously hostile towards humans.
Western pet owners have a preference for Pokémon that are not native to the region, which they also don't catch themselves or battle with.
As the original Pokémon series progresses, more generations are introduced, but since Iran is the home of a 1st generation character, most of its wildlife is revealed later in time -even though this character stated to have learned the language of the original first 150 only; making it seem like these Pokémon did not roam the land back then.
Trivia
- Iran was actual Iran at first. The English dub of Pokémon has acknowledged some existing countries, but the universe itself is supposed to be a reimagining of Earth, where its regions are merely inspired by real countries.
- The Pokémon listed match the wildlife that can be found in real-life Iran.