Stan.wikitide.org/wiki/stan

Stan is a mythological Old World remnant in South Carolina and its story is a universal alternate history. It is part of a septet of alternate realities in the novel Merger, namely the liminal space between interworld travels.It is a LARPing and DND setting as well.

Etymology
In Persian and Urdu, -stan means “where one stands” or “place of.” The Indo-European root word sta is used to signify “stands,” "standing" and “settlement,” and this root still appears in Greek and Russian. The construction -istan appears in Persian and means “land.” More recently Stan has acquired the acronym meaning of System of Tribal Area Networks. Stan embodies stability and is a neutral zone between the worlds of the Mergerverse. Stan is a highly-subjectivized folk retelling of Paradise.

History
Stan's ethnarch is the Grand Hootie. Stan began when the Hootie was working out, saw a sideways 8-pound weight, thought it said ∞ and went for it. Stan is steeped in lore. Stan is a confession, a hyper-fluid journal, a time capsule. At first, it was the catch-all repository of ideas for Merger, but has since spun off ideas into the six other worlds and has come to represent conservatism with temptations toward laziness and ludditism.

Religion
Along with the Dopeameanies, most Stanis, including the Great-Grand Hootie, arrived worshipping a pantheon of dopamine, celebrities and self and as Moralistic Therapeutic Deists and New Age Subjectivist Multiverse Solipsists. Desire for liturgical living and storytelling increased greatly after COVID lockdown and peak Adderall. While there is total religious freedom in Stan, most Stanis practice Orleanism.

Travel
Stan can be reached by buying a ticket for either an Amtrak Silver Star northbound or southbound train scheduled out of Columbia, boarding and then getting off before the train departs the station. The same can be achieved from Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Other means include closing one's eyes and seeing it, or being transported there by a Stani. Slim also meets several people who seem to believe they are dead.

Overview
Stan is a federal monarchy comprising many nanonations and piconations representing neighborhoods and personalities in Columbia. Rule is by idea meritocracy. Liquid democracy is employed where practical and zero homelessness has been achieved through extensive affordable housing programs. Laws, the legal codex of Stan, is written in the format No X where possible for prohibitions. In Stan, global technocracy has given way to Orleanic-Permacultural symphonia.

Law and order
There has never been a court trial in Stan, but the proscribed sentencing philosophy is that of Michael Cicconetti since Stan is prison abolitionist. The Police always try to take every addict home to people who love them and when this is not practical, to the best treatment facilities simulated money can buy. The Good Ole Boys' Patrol task force sits atop the buildings in Rivertown on swivel chairs with mechanically-assisted fishing poles fitted with nets. They intercept would-be street crimes instantly, scooping up the suspect until authorities arrive. During downtime, they fish for pigeons.

The Stani military is modeled after that of Ancient Mongolia and known as SMH, or the Stani Mongol Horde, whereas the royal guard is modeled after that of Hawaii. There is an elite secret force known as the TGG--the Tall Grass Guard--which wears alternating light and dark green seersucker. This pattern is colloquially known as Stanmouflage or Stanmo. The Stani cavalry is colloquially known as the "Horse Force." Soldiers are trained in the Parthian shot, gada mace and Functional Self Defense.

Free graze, free forage, free rein, free paint and social welfare
All parks are spray-free and public lands are grazeable. All gardens--the Royal Gardens, Foodly park, but also personal and community gardens can be foraged by all. Camping is legal everywhere, including private property, provided there are no disturbances. The same applies to painting, which is championed by the neoni and pasteli using neon and pastel colors, respectively. The government allots one set of custom orthotics per citizen per year as well as unlimited visits by Highland calf emotional support animals.

Foreign relations and Subsidiary Entities
Stan also hosts an Organisation of Active Micronations museum on behalf of the Micronations wiki community, and the global embassies of Micra and The Society for Creative Anachronism to the Micronations wiki community. There is a global embassy of quasi states and one of unrecognized states, but these have not yet received recognition, which is another focus of study within Stan. Rivertown houses the embassies of Japan, Greece and Nigeria and consulates of the Technocratic Serfdom of BosWash-Charlanta, the Texas Triangle and the Miami Empire. In Merger, The Texlanta-Valley Republic of DC poses an existential threat to Stan.

Intrational relations

See: FUN

Immigration

Refugees become provisional residents immediately. Citizenship is granted after quick review. Several public parks feature flower beds forming the Resident Signup QR Code so that people flying over can sign up after admiring Stan's beauty from the air.

Nation warming

Because of Stan's small population, new arrivals receive a nationwide party. Welcome begins at the border, with the giving of a bag of cured biochar, along with azolla and duckweed, and a sprinkling of these at Foodly Park. Arrivals receive a shovel and told, "See you on Monday." Next is a feast followed by a day of rest. Last is a shopping trip to Five Points for Stan gear. Those participating in Stan part-time are called PAPi or "Partially Assimilated Persons or Peoples."

Civic Engagement
A citizen of Stan had this to say about civic engagement: "The saddest thing about Stan is that so many people live here without knowing it. In fact, it has the world record for lowest conscious participation of any nation since it covers all of Columbia and only three people know. That's less than one-in-a million--totally unacceptable." The Hootie approaches people on the street in what is being called, "Project 'You Don't Say!'" and tells them that they are part of Stan. Depending on how much free time they have, they may get it.

Parks and public art
Parks are prevalent throughout Stan. They feature benches made of trained bamboo. The Stani Commission for Mental Health has instituted a National Halls Program. The NHP has built a National Man Cave, the largest of its kind in the world. No female equivalent has been announced. Stan has many playground commissioned by world-famous designers, including the Park of the World, a world-cultures themed park that features accessible equipment inspired by Clemyjontri Park. Stan is full of Spencer Hansen Art.

Geography and climate
Stan has one season called Mania and has the same climate as the surface of the Sun. For areas outside Rivertown, see The Extrapolitan Expanse.

Flora and Fauna
See Draft:Stani flora and fauna.

Economy
The Stani economy is obscured by theory and seeks an infusion of cash and official recognition by the City of Columbia. A nominal tax is collected on land holdings and put into the National Cheese Fund, a sheep's cheese sovereign wealth fund. The chief export of Stan is good times. Stan also sells its money, stamps, passports, citizenship and nobility. Until the manufacturing sector can grow, Stan aims for a purple collar economy, relying on micronation-related goods and services. The Stani Stock Market, Commodities Exchange and Government Surplus Sale is an annual charity auction of Stani goods, currency, citizen services and titles, as well as ownership stake and angel investing in enterprises. Target beneficiaries so far include orphaned and at-risk children chiefly hailing from the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya. The web in Stan is so decentralized, people can hardly find it.

Retribing
For information on retribing, see Retribing.

Music, poetry and dance
For more information, see the stub, Stani music, poetry and dance.

Personality theory
Most Stanis have a spirit animal. It is not uncommon to sign formal letters by using "Spirit animal stamp, last name" or if family western or neo-proto-heraldry exists, to sign "Spirit animal stamp, heraldry". Stanis love personality tests, especially Principles You. There are forthcoming Stani spirit animal and neotribe personality tests.

Diet and Foodways
Food in Stan is slow. Cow's milk alternatives are popular with many available. Mare, yak, camel, donkey, reindeer, llama, spelt, lupine, flaxseed and millet are favorites. The official drink, the Arnold Palmetto, is sweet tea kombucha and buckwheat milk.

Other drinks are the Manglo smoothie, with mango and tonic water ice, consumed under UV light and the smashie--a smoothie smashed with a rock. Stan has sap trees and säpmïlke is a traditional drink consisting of a milk mixed with sap. The palmettonic is gin and tonic and a palmetto frond. Stan also produces a spelt alphabet cereal called Spelt. The many languages spoken make the letters very versatile since they invariably become other letters on breaking. There is an amateur brewing day called Brewtal. Stanis pickle and make meatballs of many foods.

Stanfare are long food rituals, especially a creation myth shadow puppet commemoration in the steam of a pheasant pot pie. Bread bowls and pot pie are beloved. Each tribe has variations on the creation myth, all involving the Aurora. Most Stanis eat with their hands but some eat with glowing or stone chopsticks or Splayds.

Fashion
Stani fashion features punch needle linen and reused plastic. Fresh Plastic by Tabitha Ott is extremely popular. Other notable influences include Ancient Alexandria and the Aztecs as well as China. Matching socks are preferred but not required. Vibram Five Fingers are back in and barefootedness is highly encouraged. Female Quasis often wear Aztec dresses or shawls or Sarakatsani dress. Head covering is normative. Male Quasis often wear a Tang suit, hooded poncho or PVC chainmail. Trousers are for males only.

Art
Stan is home to the Gaspunk art movement, which one critic said, "is a lot like regular life." While Stan seeks to draw down its fossil fuel use, it has a realist approach. The most notable gas punk achievement is the Motoroila phone, the official cellphone of Stan. Other artistic works include Fizz, a sketch comedy show set in a fantasy version of Columbia and critiquing hipster culture. Folk art features wool and linen punch needle and the recovery of various wastes, especially plastic for various applications, especially jewelry. The largest and most prominent piece of public art is an aquarium replica of Lake Murray circled by a model train.

Cultural Institutions
The Stan Museum is home to the world's largest collection of black-and-white pictures of rainbows and also houses the Stani Museum of the Diorama, The Guitar Pick Museum, The World Hunter Gatherer and Pastoralist Museum, The Low-tech/No-tech library and a gompothere skeleton.

International Best Practices
Stan has an "international best practices" approach to public policy and therefore has Finnish education, South Korean healthcare, and Norwegian prisons, funded by Estonian taxation with UAE filing. Faith-based insurance is available for liability, home, and healthcare with ride shares and transit being covered liabilities. Swedish mental healthcare is available, but hardly ever needed. Stan offers universal internet access over LoraWan and Gemini.

Miscellaneous
Most Stanis practice polyphasic sleep, especially Uberman sleep.

Festivals, celebrations, holidays, events and other rituals
Independence Day is celebrated on Leap Day, otherwise on April 1st. Work hard, play hard  finds its expression in the curious NWD/NDR dyad of holidays. National Work Day and National Day of Rest occur every Summer Solstice when the government induces mania via flashing lights in the streets and then sets the citizens about a common task. This culminates in a dance party and NDR, with work ceasing. The garnet Aurora Stanis emerges on the night prior to NWD/NDR at the conclusion of CMY. The Schlörwagen hotrod parade includes steam, compressed air and windup cars. Five Points hosts the yearly Five Points Ninja Star Throwing Contest and Unwind, a wine festival culminating in all of the cats in Stan chasing a giant ball of yarn down Harden Street. Winter Solstice 2023 saw the first Tritanopia, which celebrates colorblindness with lights on Main Street simulating blue colorblindness. To increase awareness about the varying ways of life within Stan, there is a Citizen of the Year chosen each year at random. During the "mundane parade" on December 31st, everyone stays put and a golden ham TV camera follows the Citizen of the Year for the day.

Changes of Scenery
Examples of significant changes between Columbia's physical infrastructure and Stan's are numerous, but none more loved than the modification of the Five Points Fountain to be retractable. It is interchangeable with The VR slingshot Experience by Red Bull. Two passengers at a time load into a slingshot which simulates a launch into low earth orbit, bringing a new meaning to "doing shots". An open-air market comprising Main Street and the State House grounds operates every day but Sunday, closing daily for siesta, and is called Allagora. Round the Block is the removal of corners at Elmwood and Bull, Harden and Blossom, Gervais and Harden and Bull and Gervais as part of 3B. The Turtle is a compound roundabout in 3B, wherein four small roundabouts feed into a main roundabout. While efficient, it also reminds Stanis to slow down. The only untouched Columbia building in Stan is New Brookland Tavern. The only person to enter Stan unaltered is Drink Small, owing to his unparalleled blues bio. There exists a map of Rivertown in the style of Europa regina with the Turtle as the thigh shield, Adam's Rib present and Williams Brice as the crown.