The Interstellar Empire of Gnark is a gargantuan, efficient nation, ruled by Emperor Simon IV with an even hand, and notable for its barren, inhospitable landscape, complete absence of social welfare, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, democratic, cheerful population of 35.759 billion Imperial citizens enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The tiny, corrupt, liberal government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Education, and Law & Order. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Terra. The average income tax rate is 1.4%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Imperial economy, worth an astonishing 11,433 trillion args a year, is fairly diversified and dominated by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Book Publishing, Soda Sales, and Gambling. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an amazing 319,744 args, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Children aren't allowed to chew their pencils until they get home from school, customs officers pretend not to hear shouts of "HELP LET ME OUT!" emerging from diplomatic bags, the nation has nearly as many history museums as Imperial citizens, and government officials sit helplessly as they are labelled 'Pompous Womples' by celebrities. Crime, especially youth-related, is all-pervasive, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Gnark's national animal is the decaffeinated weasel, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation.

Gnark is ranked 2,345^th in the world and 1^st in Avalonia for Most Advanced Defense Forces, scoring 19,199.46 on the Total War Preparedness Rating.