Nordberg

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The Pagan Empire of Nordberg is a huge, devout nation, ruled by Lady Jord and Lord Odin with an iron fist, and renowned for its sprawling nuclear power plants. Its hard-nosed, cynical population of 917 million are ruled by a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, corrupt government stops and the rest of society begins, but it juggles the competing demands of Defence, Law & Order, and Commerce. It meets every day to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Nordberg City. The average income tax rate is 92%. A powerhouse of a private sector is dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry.

Nordberg Barrier Island residents anxiously await their 'Bridge to Somewhere', bizarre-looking creatures called 'Beardogs' dominate wildlife preserves, frequent fliers are obliged to submit to invasive security procedures by government security, and torture is commonly used to extract information from suspected criminals. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is totally unknown, thanks to the all-pervasive police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Nordberg's national animal is the Bear, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the Rubel.