The Universal empire of Farno is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Emperor Georg Luice CCV with an iron fist, and renowned for its ritual sacrifices, parental licensing program, and enslaved workforce. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless, devout population of 1.515 billion Farnoans are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of New Gerion. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 72.2%.

The frighteningly efficient Farnoan economy, worth 229 trillion Aks a year, is fairly diversified and dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Trout Farming, Information Technology, and Uranium Mining. Black market activity is extensive. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 151,218 Aks, with the richest citizens earning 7.0 times as much as the poorest.

Drill sergeants yell in the ears of bespectacled nerds in cybermilitary "reboot camps", internet ads promising "hot singles in your area" are even less accurate than they used to be, local mafias have a tough time disposing of dead snitches without catching the attention of recycling authorities, and wigged-out hunters report playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Farno's national animal is the Farnoan White Owl, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Zeinthisum.

Farno is ranked 43,841^st in the world and 606^th in 10000 Islands for Smartest Citizens, with 40.59 quips per hour.