The Democratic States of Artaecus is a massive, socially progressive nation, ruled by Kaathe Rhinehardt with an even hand, and renowned for its digital currency, infamous sell-swords, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-working, democratic population of 2.582 billion Artaecusians enjoy extensive civil freedoms, particularly in social issues, while business tends to be more regulated.

The medium-sized government juggles the competing demands of Education, Industry, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Tau Volantis. The average income tax rate is 62.4%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Artaecusian economy, worth 320 trillion Kalroes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with significant contributions from Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Average income is an impressive 124,060 Kalroes, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Artaecusians refer to transgender people with insults instead of pronouns, the price of takeaway food quadruples after 6pm, vast amounts of energy are expended moving water to hilltop lakes, and immigrants who carry knives on them are presumed to be chefs. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Artaecus's national animal is the Artaecusian Desert Fox, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

Artaecus is ranked 19,487^th in the world and 39^th in The Hole To Hide In for Most Beautiful Environments, with 1,074.37 Pounds Of Wildlife Per Square Mile.