The Empire of North Astera is a massive, orderly nation, remarkable for its zero percent divorce rate, state-planned economy, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 1.348 billion North Asterans are ruled without fear or favor by a psychotic dictator, who outlaws just about everything and refers to the populace as "my little playthings."

The large, moralistic, socially-minded, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. The average income tax rate is 43.6%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The sizeable but sluggish North Asteran economy, worth 32.7 trillion dollars a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. The industrial sector is led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Uranium Mining, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Furniture Restoration. Average income is 24,241 dollars, and distributed extremely evenly, with practically no difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Heterosexuality is considered positive proof of fitness to parent, the military refers to helpless combatants offering surrender as "sitting ducks", legislators work 24/7 due to an influx of single-issue bills, and broken suspension systems are giving auto repair shops plenty of business. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. North Astera's national animal is the cow, which is also the nation's favorite main course.

North Astera is ranked 294,225^th in the world and 24^th in The Great Power for Largest Publishing Industry, scoring -7.53 on the Bella Potter Productivity e-Index.