The Empire of Virulian is a huge, cultured nation, ruled by Emperor Callahan Sidereum with an even hand, and notable for its parental licensing program, anti-smoking policies, and keen interest in outer space. The hard-nosed, devout population of 936 million Virulians have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Administration, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Saint Camie Schlawg City. The average income tax rate is 69.2%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Virulian economy, worth 121 trillion VLDS a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Book Publishing, and Uranium Mining. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 129,381 VLDS, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.0 times as much as the poorest.

Bands of paramedics walk the streets looking for suspicious medical activity, twins move across the country to avoid being accused of the other's crimes, parking's carefree without parking car fees, and Virulian isn't what it used to be. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Virulian's national animal is the Schlawg, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Virulian is ranked 25,446^th in the world and 53^rd in Thaecia for Most Cheerful Citizens, with 52.91 Percentage Of Water Glasses Perceived Half-Full.