Chaster

Chaster is bordered by Nebraska to the North, Ronald to the East, Bestings to the Southeast, Trimeda to the South and Colorado to the west.

Chaster is a state in the western-midwestern region of the United States. It is named after Coloniel Mortimer Chaster, the founder and first governor of the state. The state is notable for its modern slave-system, high levels of corruption, unique government style, and low tax rates. The state's capital city is New Jerusalem. The US Department of Backstate Travel rates Chaster as moderately dangerous and they advise all travelers to be vigilant against kidnappings. It is recommended to only travel in groups within the state. While state law prohibits the abduction of travelers, one must prove that they have been abducted in order to qualify for release. Something which is extremely difficult to do.

## History

Chaster has been the home of many Native American tribes for millennia. The region was first inhabited by the Inagonka. Then it was taken over by the Cherpinonee. In the 15th century AD, the Cherpinonee were exterminated or absorbed by the Dagapin.

In 1835, Coloniel Mortimer Chaster arrived with a band of several hundred other Western Baptist settlers. These families were fleeing persecution by Southern Baptists for their interpretation of the Bible. The religious refugees founded their capital upon a hill and called it New Jerusalem.

After making an initial attempt at converting the natives peacefully, the new settlers invited several of the tribal leaders to dine with them in New Jerusalem. Upon their arrival, the tribal elders were captured and the rest were slaughtered. This plan was consciously modeled on Pizarro's capture of Montezuma. After the decapitation of the tribal leadership, the settlers immediately attacked and defeated the tribes in a lightning campaign. The survivors were enslaved, beginning the state's long history of enslaving infidels.

During the governorship of Coloniel Chaster, Western Baptism was enshrined in law. Numerous Biblical legal practices were implemented including bans on jewelry and beardlessness as well as guaranteeing slavery in the law. The territory applied for statehood in 1853 and received it 4 years later.

In 1864, word reached the aging governor Chaster that the US government was engaged in a civil war with the CSA. After consulting with the Holy Council of Elders, governor Chaster chose to side with the Union despite being a slave state. However, by the time any material support could arrive from the state, the Civil War had ended. In the chaos after the death of Abraham Lincoln, it was decided to allow Chaster to maintain its slave system under the promise that it would respect travelers passing through the state. A promise which governor Chaster swore to consider.

Mortimer Chaster died in 1871, becoming the last governor of the state.

## Culture & Demographics

Chaster is notable for its strong religiosity. The only legal religion in the state is Western Baptist Christianity, which is practiced by 100% of state citizens according to census. The punishment for heresy is stoning or enslavement.

However, in order to avoid invasion by the US government, laws protecting travelers exist. Non-resident travelers are guaranteed free passage through the state. Even so, the USDBT advises all travelers to be vigilant and to travel armed and ready to defend themselves against attempted kidnappings.

As a result of the state pursuing a policy of taking slaves from the "nations" around them, the government of Chaster continues to defend the practice of enslaving heretics and infidels. This has led to the state becoming the number one center of human trafficking in the USA. It is not uncommon for travelers to witness slaves working the fields along the highways or being served lunch in a diner by a girl with a shock collar, quietly pleading with you to help her escape after she had been abducted during an ill advised college spring break in the state.

However, recovery of enslaved persons from the state has proven very difficult. Once one has been abducted, it often proves difficult to demonstrate prior freedom to the satisfaction of the pastor-judge within the state's court system. A pathway to freedom for enslaved persons does exist if one can demonstrate "sincere and genuine conviction to become a true (Western Baptist) Christian." However, some critics have accused the pastor-judges of bias in favor of existing slave-owners.

The state is known for its quaint, modest towns and cities and very modest clothing styles, reminiscent of Amish clothing.

## Economy & Government

Chaster is officially a theocracy, governed by a congress of Western Baptist Pastors called the Council of Elders. Officially, the pastors from the state's many churches meet to discuss laws and policies. However, in practice the body does not meet very often and actual governance is left to the individual pastors who preside over the 118 Parishes of the state. These bodies act as counties do in most US states. Each Pastor is essentially an unchallenged ruler in each Parish and is both the final governing authority as well as judge in civil courts.

Some critics have accused the state of arbitrary justice as well as corruption, citing examples of Pastors ruling arbitrarily in court cases or even forcing plaintifs to make mandatory donations to the church. A process which inevitably enriches the Pastor who oversees that church. Other critics have accused the state of violating the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment as heretics and blasphemers are regularly stoned or immolated according to the state's laws.

However, these critics are either not in the state or they are in jail awaiting stoning.