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“Black is beautiful, but too much black is charcoal.”

The Ironic Empire of Marcurius is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Cryster Marlberg with an even hand, and notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, cynical population of 3.19 billion are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Law & Order, Defence, and Education. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Andoria. Income tax is unheard of. A powerhouse of a private sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing, Gambling, and Uranium Mining industries.

The controversial show 'Who Wants to be an Immigrant?' has become wildly popular, soylent products are an expensive commodity due to a lack of volunteers, scenic mountain valleys are flooded with water as damming projects get underway, and the police have reaffirmed their tough stance on drugs. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force. Marcurius's national animal is the Rampage Ox, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, its national religion is Royal Marcuscism, and its currency is the Crol.

Marcurius is ranked 30th in the region and 2,275th in the world for Largest Arms Manufacturing Sector.