Civil unrest and a bleak future culminates in nearly a million people fleeing for a better life abroad. Most of them have slowly trickled into the international grounds of the Congressional Parliament buildings seeking asylum in whatever country that may receive them. For now they stay in a makeshift camp on the front lawn.
These refugees come from five countries in particular. The events that brought them here are explained below:
JANGSTOWN
A series of public strikes organized by national union leaders for the past three months has led to no avail. Opposition leaders believed they could peacefully pressure the Lord into ruling the country better. They also believed that they could count on Lindsholmic support (the protector of Jangstown).
Although the Supreme Viceroy of Lindsholm did promise benign intervention in September 2004, nothing came of his promise. Faced with the prospect of an intransigent government and a complacent protector, nearly 200,000 Jangstownians have illegally left the country looking for a better life.
MATTHEWOPOLIS
Home to the Mapp's first correctional institutition, conditions in this country have deteriorated to such an extent under the Warden that even prison guards are helping prisoners escape for humanitarian reasons. Of 63,000 inhabitatnts, less than 900 remain. Those who do - prisoners and guards alike - have found a common bond through misery and hardship that parallels only the cruelest of Stalin's gulags.
SMARTAFORD
Civil disobedience first reared its head here back in June 2004. Although the Supreme Leader showered her country with literacy programs and environmental conservation policies, the admiration she bought was only short-lived. Many people realized that these 'bribes' were a one-time deal and that the Supreme Leader would continue her old ways. Over 180,000 have emigrated.
KAFOBRENA
Unlike most other countries, the Empress actually shows interest and compassion towards her people. However the legacy of the country's neutrality during the Cold War of 2000-02 still lives on, as the people live in absolute poverty and destitution. During the Cold War, Kafobrena's refusal to join neither the Nexus or the Confederacy led to many investors ignoring the country. Similarly, the Kafobrenan people never forgot the Cold War's legacy by still viewing all outsiders with suspicion. Nevertheless, nearly 40,000 have left to live abroad.
NEW DICKENS PENINSULA
Amidst the rampant nationalism and flag-waving, a deep insecurity burns inside this country's soul. Ostracized from the world over its previous invasion of Kafobrena, Neodickensians react with hostility when approached by outsiders. An international embargo keeps the economy moribound and the Universalistic Dictator apathetic. The outside world becomes an easy target which the Dictator uses to deflect Neodickensian anger at their stagnation and relative poverty.
Ironically, it appears that the entire Neodickensian military has seen through these tactics. Once the mightiest fighting force in the south, the armed forces have hemorrhaged to become a handful of mere conscripts and elderly volunteers. Only 1/10 of the country's inhabitants remain in this pariah state.
