The Holy Empire of Ostreia is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Emperor Cornelius Varus I with an iron fist, and renowned for its triple-decker prams, aversion to nipples, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed, cynical, devout population of 4.867 billion Ostreians 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, corrupt, moralistic, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Paviana. The average income tax rate is 84.5%, and even higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ostreian economy, worth 667 trillion Imperial marks a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Trout Farming, Information Technology, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is rampant. State-owned companies are common. Average income is an impressive 137,103 Imperial marks, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.4 times as much as the poorest.

Rare steaks seem even bluer now, rumor has it that Emperor Cornelius Varus I has won three lotteries in a row, promising seven years of bad luck leads to seven years of community service, and heavy industry must go to expensive lengths to dispose of waste. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a very well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Ostreia's national animal is the Imperial Owl, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies, and its national religion is Cult of the Cassia' Light.

Ostreia is ranked 10,907^th in the world and 730^th in Lazarus for Lowest Crime Rates, with 99.46 law-abiding acts per hour.