The Republic of Norner is a large, cultured nation, notable for its state-planned economy, keen interest in outer space, and pith helmet sales. The hard-nosed, cynical population of 140 million Norners 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 medium-sized, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Administration, and Law & Order. The average income tax rate is 40.2%, but much higher for the wealthy.

The Nornen economy, worth 9.26 trillion lire a year, is driven entirely by a combination of government and state-owned industry, with private enterprise illegal. However, for those in the know, there is a slick, highly efficient, fairly diversified black market in Tourism, Arms Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Retail. The private sector mostly consists of enterprising ten-year-olds selling lemonade on the sidewalk, but the government is looking at stamping this out. Average income is 66,141 lire, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 2.1 times as much as the poorest.

Replacement organs are grown in vats, twice-daily toilet inspection rotas for government buildings are archived for public appraisal, mathematicians are gathering an infinite number of doves and typewriters to see if they can recreate the works of Max Barry, and the cycle of extinction and rebirth is never ending. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a capable police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Norner's national animal is the dove, which soars majestically through the nation's famously clear skies.

Norner is ranked 48,157^th in the world and 59^th in Fifth Empire for Largest Insurance Industry, scoring 3,941.38 on the Risk Expulsion Effectiveness Rating.