Location: Balder

Overview • People • Government • Economy • Trend • Analysis

The Community of The Smokys is a massive, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its unlimited-speed roads. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 1.316 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.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded, liberal, pro-business individuals juggles the competing demands of Education, the Environment, and Religion & Spirituality. Income tax is unheard of. A large private sector is dominated by the Book Publishing industry.

Murderers frequently escape punishment by claiming they were protecting their honour, ethnic minorities are often refused admission to some of the nation's best schools, CEOs and corporate executives are frequently found striking for better stock options, and reports of arson have doubled since the introduction of a privatised fire protection service. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling, and the police force struggles against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. The Smokys's national animal is the black bear, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the SOULLESS ALMIGHTY $.

The Smokys is ranked 696th in Balder and 26,063rd in the world for Shortest Average Lifespan, scoring -10 on the Bus Surprisal Index.

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NationStates by Max Barry, author of and