The Armed Society of Pellston is a mammoth, environmentally stunning nation, ruled by William H Pells with an even hand, and remarkable for its keen interest in outer space, daily referendums, and infamous sell-swords. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic population of 6.293 billion Pellstonians 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 relatively small government is effectively ruled by the Department of Defense, with Law & Order, Education, and Industry also on the agenda, while Social Policy and International Aid are ignored. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Bogardus. The average income tax rate is 35.4%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The all-consuming Pellstonian economy, worth 866 trillion Pells a year, is broadly diversified and dominated by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Retail, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is frequent. Average income is an impressive 137,610 Pells, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.5 times as much as the poorest.

The military has forsaken terrestrial warfare, the term "Native Pellstonian" has been redefined as anyone with the same skin color as the majority, structures are raised on promises, and male friends are often accompanied by a female relative in order to prove their 'straightness'. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low. Pellston's national animal is the Opossum, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests.

Pellston is ranked 303,321^st in the world and 7^th in Michigan for Nicest Citizens, with 0.38 average smiles per day.