(Note: Except where indicated below, it's generally a reasonable assumption that if a city/geographic feature exists in the real world, it exists in game - though most big business is in Capital City rather than the real-world financial centres. This is not necessarily true for anything built after 1900. If in doubt, check with the GMs)

The High Council of the World Government consists of 800 members, who are elected in global elections via a proportional representation system. The High Council is responsible for passing laws which apply globally, and adjudicating disputes between nations. Subcouncils (500 members, elected separately from the High Council) govern each continent (with the Island States subcouncil representing those islands separate from the mainland who have elected not to associate with their closest continent), handling matters such as large scale infrastructure projects and trade within their continent. The governments of each nation are free to conduct their affairs as they wish, within the confines of the directives handed down by the World Government. For example, the World Government has directed that all nations must make murder a crime with a minimum sentence of 20 years, but the nations are free to implement harsher punishments if they wish, or to define crimes which would not infringe an individuals basic rights (as decided by the World Government).

Elections are held every 5 years, with subcouncil elections being held in the second and third years of a High Council term. A Speaker of the High Council and each subcouncil is appointed by the other members 2 years following the main elections, and serves for 5 years. The Speaker acts as a spokesperson for the Council (or subcouncil), and chairs the meetings. Occasionally, a Speaker may not be elected to Council in the next term, but as the position holds only ceremonial power, this is not seen as an issue (though it is extremely embarrassing for the Speaker concerned). Currently, it is the fourth year of a High Council, so no elections are due, but Speakers for the North American, Asian, and Island States councils are due to be appointed over the next year.

Capital City serves as a hub for the World Government, and houses most of its administrative functions.

Rawiya is the youngest Speaker to date at only 34 years old, and has had meteoric rise through the Asia Subcouncil, into the High Council, to eventually becoming Speaker only 15 years after her first election to public office. She has proven herself to be a fair and even handed chair, and is generally well liked even by her political opponents. She normally falls on the side of greater powers being given to the World Government, arguing that right and wrong are absolute truths, and therefore there is no need for different laws in different parts of the world.

Much of Africa was colonialised until the Thuun invasion in 1936. Deprived of much of the alien technology, the African countries managed to evade much of the immediate damage suffered by the empires and great nations of the time. Many previously warring groups managed to band together to fight the greater opposing forces, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial. Thanks to this generally continued unity of effort, along with abundant natural resources, Africa was able to achieve much greater stability following the invasion. Today, this continent is an agricultural powerhouse, combining nature magic and genetic modification to grow crops of all kinds for worldwide distribution.

Adebola Afolayan is the Speaker for the African subcouncil. Now in his 70s, during his youth he was a member of SPEAR under the name Midas. He had the ability to control silver and gold, but this seems to have faded with age and misuse. He does seem to have retained some of his golden touch, however, as the African economy has boomed during his term.

The only African country to resist invasion in the 19th century, Ethiopia had embraced a minimal amount of Thuun technology. Thanks in part to the supers of the time, it managed to repel the alien invaders quicker than many other nations. Its success continues today, with the highest economic stability of any of the African countries. The varying altitudes and climates have given Ethiopia even further opportunity to probe the science behind genetic diversity. Although there has been some recent civil unrest due to disputes over land between the remaining tribes and the capital, the disagreements have been peaceful so far, and no notable danger is present.

With weather as inhospitable as Antarctica's, it is little surprise that, to this day, there are few who would consider living on this continent more than temporarily. There are rumours of secretive, permanent, and much less human residents, but all research so far indicates that the theory is exactly that: a rumour.

The location of the forward outpost of an alien invasion in the 1930s, the Thuun base has been pretty much picked clean, but the oddly formed (to human eyes) buildings still remain. It has become a popular tourist destination for those who can stand the cold.

Dominated by the influence of Japan for much of the 20th century (and beyond), Asia's adjustment to the World Government as the new ruling body has been variable. Today, many of the countries are reasonably well-adjusted, but even now there are rumours of discontent at the new status quo.

Mai Hayashi is the Speaker for the Asian subcouncil. She is a fierce political opponent to Rawiya Mayra, favouring a more hands-off approach by the World Government.

A vibrant hub of culture and technology, Japan continues to be one of the leaders of the world's economy even after the end of its empire. Over the course of the last century, Tokyo has grown not only further outwards, but upwards as well, forming a city of many layers. Some speculate this is a response to Tokyo not being named as Capital City; regardless, if Japan is discontent with the World Government, it has yet to act on it.

A somewhat loose collective of island nations which elected not to be associated with any of the other continents, the Island States is the most varied of the administrative regions of the World Government. Ranging from the icy and volcanic expanses of Iceland, to the paradise islands of Hawaii, to the fallout-ridden wastelands of Australia, it is little wonder that the Island States subcouncil holds so many different opinions that they can rarely agree on anything.

Adi Van is the Speaker for the Island States subcouncil. He is generally seen as fairly weak, often pulled in many different directions by the diverse interests of his region.

Following a massive nuclear attack in 1967 (see the timeline), Australia is almost unable to support human settlements. Almost all of the previously habitable land is now a fallout-ridden disaster, inhabited by mutated mega-fauna which somewhat resembles the previously indigenous species. The only permanent settlement there is the headquarters of Gamasot Laboratories, who purchased the continent to allow space for their research projects and investigate the effects of prologued exposure to high radiation on the local wildlife.

Hit hard by the catastrophes of the 20th century, Europe's initially shaky recovery was aided by the stability brought from the gradual formation of the World Government. Today, Europe remains diverse in its interests and business; the proximity to Capital City making Europe the heart of much of the modern economy. Many (but not all) of the European countries are relatively affluent.

Claudia Burgstaller is the Speaker for the European subcouncil. She has achieved her position despite allegations of corruption that have hounded her career, and has guided several pro-business regulations and projects through the subcouncil during her tenure.

The ongoing battles with the Japanese to stave off occupation, and the various disasters in the 19th century, continued to thwart Russia's growth. Even today, the effects of this are still felt. Although less affluent than many of its neighbours, Russia's interest in recycling materials has led to a corresponding niche in the global market.

Taking up most of what was formerly Switzerland, Capital City is the official centre of power for the World Government. The massive urban sprawl houses approximately 147 million people, and the headquarters of most major businesses and organisations. The city wraps around the various lakes and mountains of the region, which provide areas of relative quiet within the bustling metropolis.

North America, like Europe and Asia, also struggled during the 20th century, with varying degrees of eventual success. While Canada and Mexico remain relatively stable and prosperous in themselves, America has been more turbulent; an issue which has, at times, bled across the borders. Outwardly, there are no hard feelings. However, the number of people, supers or otherwise, patrolling the borders has increased over the years, and there are rumours of spies from each country keeping an eye on the others.

Tessa Brams is the Speaker for the North American subcouncil. She is by far the most pro-independence of any Speaker past or present, believing that governance by the High Council should be voluntary, and that nations should have the right to self determination if they wish it.

Land of missed opportunities, America was always on the brink of becoming something great; something great that never quite happened. Pushed back a little further by the various disasters of the 20th century, and subsequent feuding between certain states, parts of America still remain poorer than its population believes it should be. Pockets of prosperity can be found, for instance around the Bonneville Salt Flats (thanks to deposits of ancient magic found in 2021), and Washington DC. Some people still cling to the idea that America's true, rightful future is just around the corner, that it is indeed one of the greatest nations on Earth. However, many have given up on this dream, with varying amounts of discontent.

Many of South America's fights over the past century have been natural rather than political. The spread of pyroflu in 2001 was quickly nipped in the bud, claiming only a few hundred victims that same year, largely thanks to Ecuador's rapid medical input. However, many ongoing problems have been ecological, resulting in some particularly bad harvests in the 2050s, and ongoing deforestation, despite the help of supers to slow the damage. Research into the matter is ongoing.

Eliseo Pavia is the Speaker for the South American subcouncil. He has been the subject of numerous smear campaigns by his opponents, alleging that during his youth he masqueraded as the supervillain Jolt. No convincing evidence has ever been presented to back these claims.

Due to its history with healthcare, it is unsurprising that part of the country's emphasis is on medical matters. The Rendón Medical Institute has produced some of the world's greatest doctors, as well as a few notable steps forward in medical care. The annual Alcivar Festival is also well known for mock hero/villain fights, in which the more medically inclined supers ultimately save the day. Due to its climate, healthcare, and beauty, Ecuador has a significant retired population.

Earth's natural satellite has remained essentially untouched since a series of landings in the 1990s. Findings indicate that several extraterrestrial visitors to Earth used the Moon as a waystation of sorts, but following the official first contact (and government recognition of aliens), they now tend to arrive directly on Earth.

Recently, a large portion of the Moon has vanished, leaving scientists baffled and causing havok and widespread flooding due to the effect of the sudden gravitational shock on the tides. It appears that a dome comprising about 20% of the volume of the Moon has been removed, but there does not appear to have been any release of energy which might indicate how this was done, or where the missing mass has gone.

The SolarMax stations are the landing points for the high-energy beams which transmit power from the solar satellite array down to the Earth. There are three locations: Truth Station in Kenya, Duty Station in Ecuador, and Valor Station in Indonesia. For safety reasons, access to each facility is highly restricted, and there is a no-fly zone surrounding the beams.

A constantly inhabited space station owned by The Rothwell Science Park, and used for low gravity research and monitoring the effects of large scale superpowered activities.