The Ae Ræpubl¡cæ of Aephony is a massive, safe nation, ruled by Aeroscope with an even hand, and notable for its unlimited-speed roads, pith helmet sales, and compulsory gun ownership. The compassionate, hard-working, democratic population of 1.71 billion Aes have some civil rights, but not too many, enjoy the freedom to spend their money however they like, to a point, and take part in free and open elections, although not too often.

The medium-sized, corrupt government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Administration, and Education. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Aesolocactroscope. The average income tax rate is 41.9%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Ae economy, worth 241 trillion Aes a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Information Technology industry, with major contributions from Retail, Book Publishing, and Woodchip Exports. Black market activity is frequent. Average income is an impressive 141,303 Aes, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.8 times as much as the poorest.

The Leech stadiums are open 24/7, formerly fertile fields are being leached dry of nutrients by intensive farming, beggars lack pockets for spare change, and religious households enthusiastically use whips in private. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown. Aephony's national animal is the Leech, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to heavy metals seepage into national waterways.

Aephony is ranked 23,028^th in the world and 52^nd in Refugia for Most Scientifically Advanced, scoring 232.57 on the Kurzweil Singularity Index.