Ostania

The People's Republic of Ostania (東人民共和国) is a large country that borders the east of Westalis and the main setting of the SPY x FAMILY series. The capital city of Ostania is Berlint.

Overview
Despite sustaining heavy damages in the war with Westalis, Ostania has largely maintained their wartime policies, even as it struggles against the tide of modernity. The country promotes its open politics and rapidly developing industry to foreign countries, but this is strongly motivated by propaganda. Its security organizations openly promote the arrest of those who spread unfavorable information and facts to other countries, and speech is strictly controlled. However, as long as one does not transmit information that is detrimental to the state, the people of the country can live normal lives with a high level of security and can freely take up jobs and study, depending on their abilities.

Currency
The currency used in Ostania is dalc (ダルク), commonly represented as Đ, and pent (ペント) coins. 100 pents is equivalent to 1 dalc. 1 dalc is also equivalent to 320 Japanese yen (or 2.20 US dollars) in today's exchange rate. This currency is also used in Westalis.

Education
There are many schools to teach the youth in Ostania, like Fontaine Academy, but none are as famous and influential as Eden Academy.
 * Main article: Eden Academy

Politics
In the past, the National Unity Party, a hardliner against Westalis, was the sole leader of the country. Cultural and political differences led to a long and brutal war between the two nations, claiming the lives of many soldiers and innocent civilians. Thanks to the efforts of figures like Colonel Erik Zacharis, the war eventually came to a close. By the end of the war, the National Unity Party was deposed from the ruling position and replaced by a dovish party to be in charge of the state administration, resulting in a truce with Westalis.

On the surface, Ostania seems to be taking a conciliatory approach with Westalis, with groups like the Nationalist Party appearing to work toward this path. Foreign ministers from both countries have made official meetings with one another for peace talks, intending to normalize diplomatic relations. However, there are many Ostanian citizens who do not seek reconciliation, leading to a situation where it is difficult to predict when their discontent will erupt. Some high-ranking Ostanian officials have even gone as far as making unlawful restrictions on exports to Westalis and blackmailing politicians supporting Westalis due to anti-West values. From this tension, attempts to break the two countries' thin veneer of peace have been made, the most recent being by a group of isolationist student terrorists in Berlint.

There are many people who have defected from Ostania to Westalis, with there even being rumors that people in the southern regions of Ostania have been using the word "picnic" as a code for defecting to Westalis through a third country. Those who have gone from Westalis to Ostania go with the purpose of seeing their families or pursuing a mission of some sort.

Military
Like Westalis, Ostania has their own intelligence agency, and may have more than just one.

State Security Service
The State Security Service, also known as the Secret Police, is the primary security and counterintelligence organization of Ostania.
 * Main article: State Security Service

Underworld
Ostania's underworld consists of all kinds of groups and individuals, from smuggling rings and criminal organizations to informants and counterfeiters. There are also black markets where one can find interesting illegal developments, like former test subject animals.

For generations, the underworld was managed by the Gretcher crime family. After the war with Westalis, the family lent their aid during a food shortage with the black market they ran. However, in a recent incident, the family head and his sons were killed in an internal dispute. In the aftermath, the organization was usurped by Leonardo Hapoon, a man who gained his wealth by befriending pro-war extremists through arms dealing. The surviving members of the Gretcher family, Olka Gretcher and her son, fled to a foreign country to seek asylum shortly afterward. Hapoon attempted to have the two killed by placing a 400,000 dalc bounty on their heads, though every killer's efforts were thwarted by assassins from Garden.

Garden
Garden is a secret assassination organization in Ostania. Their existence is unknown to all, with only a certain few, even in the State Security Service, aware of them.
 * Main article: Garden

Culture
There are a variety of entertainment facilities in Ostania where the government is highly restrictive, as if no citizens would complain if there was food and entertainment. Many are of a high cultural standard and can be enjoyed by both children and adults. On the other hand, there is also a deceptively obvious fact that business tycoons and underground dwellers gather here to hold illegal gambling events where huge sums of money are at stake.

A drama called Berlint in Love is popular in Ostania, as even elementary first-years know about the series. Entertainment is more developed in Westalis, so there are so many things that go in and out of style.

There are many streetcars running through the city of Berlint. They are the primary mode of transportation for citizens who do not own a car. Below the streets is the subway system, which passengers like Yor and Yuri take when going home from work. When going long distances to other regions, travelers have the option of taking the train.

Trivia

 * Ostania's name originates from the word "Ost" in German, meaning east.
 * Ostania is based on the communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany) during the Berlin Cold War era, with the State Security Service heavily mimicking the name and behaviour of the Stasi.
 * Despite the fanbook stating that Newston Castle can be rented for 10,000 dalc a day, Franky said it could be rented for 50,000 dalc a day, while Sylvia Sherwood received an expense report for the castle with 35,000 dalc.

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Ostania