The Republic of Ardels is a tiny, socially progressive nation, remarkable for its absence of drug laws. The hard-working, democratic population of 8 million Ardelsians live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

The relatively small, liberal, pro-business, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Healthcare, and Welfare. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 8.8%.

The thriving Ardelsian economy, worth 393 billion pesos a year, is led by the Retail industry, with major contributions from Soda Sales, Cheese Exports, and Woodchip Exports. Average income is 49,184 pesos, but there is a significant disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 174,098 per year while the poor average 10,032, a ratio of 17.4 to 1.

Crime is a problem, with the police force struggling against a lack of funding and a high mortality rate. Ardels's national animal is the kiwi, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

Ardels is ranked 266,446^th in the world and 2^nd in The Sacred Ones for Most Eco-Friendly Governments, scoring zero on the Dolphin Recycling Awareness Index.