The Old Imperium of Vanestia is a mammoth, cultured nation, ruled by Grimolf III with an even hand, and remarkable for its museums and concert halls, compulsory military service, and public floggings. The hard-nosed, hard-working population of 6.874 billion Vanestians 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 Administration, Education, and Healthcare. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Vormost. The average income tax rate is 36.1%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The frighteningly efficient Vanestian economy, worth 954 trillion Vanestian Kroner a year, is fairly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with significant contributions from Information Technology, Beef-Based Agriculture, and Cheese Exports. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is an impressive 138,795 Vanestian Kroner, and distributed extremely evenly, with little difference between the richest and poorest citizens.

Foreign ambassadors closely guard their culinary secrets, terrorist videos start by thanking their sponsors, criminals are put to death while cuddling their favourite teddy bear, and tourists outnumber citizens two to one. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Vanestia's national animal is the Wolverine, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Norse Paganism.

Vanestia is ranked 22,847^th in the world and 87^th in the Outback for Most Extensive Public Healthcare, scoring 4,489.49 on the Theresa-Nightingale Rating.