Spotlight on:

“Why So Serious?”

The Armed Republic of Salzland is a massive, devout nation, ruled by President William Phillips with an even hand, and remarkable for its sprawling nuclear power plants. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 4.931 billion live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, liberal, pro-business government stops and the rest of society begins, but it devotes most of its attentions to Defence, with areas such as Social Equality and the Environment receiving almost no funds by comparison. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Rostgard. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 13%. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing, Book Publishing, and Information Technology industries.

Mining is the nation's most dangerous occupation, the government is spending millions on renovating the public transportation system, mobile phone masts are being erected all over the country, and radio shows frequently feature people denouncing religion. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling. Salzland's national animal is the Golden Eagle, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Nova.

Salzland is ranked 10th in the region and 2,861st in the world for Most Armed.