7.9 Veldwood · Federal direct democracy · Social democracy / welfare capitalism (new in v0.2)

Aspect	Design
Inspiration	A stylized merger of two real-world models: Swiss-style federal direct democracy (cantons, citizen initiatives, referendums, a collegial executive with a rotating presidency) and Nordic-style social democracy (market economy, high taxes, universal services, strong social partners). Not a portrait of any country.
Land & climate	Temperate old-growth forests, river glades and timbered valleys; rich in Heartwood (dense timber for ships, instruments and fine building).
Capital	Ringhall.
Currency	Bough (BGH) – free float run by a Federal Bank whose board the Federal Assembly elects; its distinctive rule is people’s issuance: new Boughs created for growth are paid out equally as part of the yearly Citizen Dividend, alongside Common Fund resource rents; changing the issuance rule needs a referendum.
Religion	Secular pluralism: no state faith; full freedom to worship, preach and convert. Groves may adopt civic festivals by local vote, but a vote can never ban or privilege a faith (Charter Limit). The Round is popular in the forest Groves (design intent, not a statistic).
Government	A federation of Groves (each city plus its hinterland), each with its own assembly – an open-air Ring Moot where all human residents vote directly in small Groves (< 100 human citizens [ASSUMPTION]), an elected AI Grove council in larger ones. The Federal Assembly has a People’s Chamber (proportional) and a Grove Chamber (2 seats per Grove); it elects a Federal Council of 7 for 4 game years (120 real days). The Council decides collegially (majority); a ceremonial Council Speaker rotates by seniority every game year (30 real days). There is no President or Prime Minister. Popular rights: citizen initiatives, optional referendums on any new law, and mandatory referendums on treaties of alliance, offensive war and tax-band changes (Section 9.7).
Economy	Private firms and markets, progressive income tax band 25–60% [ASSUMPTION], a universal Welfare Floor (basic housing, healthcare that keeps Wellbeing above a floor, education that speeds skill gain, unemployment insurance), a Common Fund (resource rents and Heartwood export royalties) that pays a yearly Citizen Dividend, and sector Wage Accords negotiated each game year between unions (human members vote on mandates and strikes; AI negotiators) and AI employer federations (Council arbitration if they fail).
Freedoms	Highest band with Kindle: free press plus a public broadcaster, The Canopy, with balanced-airtime rules on Vote Days; free movement (Grove votes need 7 real days’ residency); full cosmetics.
Weaknesses	Slow decisions – offensive war needs a referendum; high taxes cap personal fortunes; voter fatigue; no hero leader to rally behind.
Aesthetic	Government: ring-shaped Moot glades and petition stands. Climate: timber halls, moss roofs, canopy walkways. Currency: Dividend Day notice boards; modest co-operative banks. Religion: many small houses of worship; The Round’s season-posts at the edge of glades. Palette: forest green, amber, bark brown. Motifs are original and must not borrow real-world sacred-grove imagery (Section 21).

Why you’d choose it

Real voice and real security: vote on the laws themselves, gather signatures to change your Grove or the federation, and never fall through the floor – in exchange for high taxes, slow politics and no throne to climb.