Papers, Please

1. #1Arstotzka

   Keys: Homecountry, Arstotzka, Motherland

   Arstotzka is an authoritarian-communist counter-terrorist government which oppresses its people, but attracts many immigrants due to the economic opportunities it provides. It is bordered by Kolechia to the west and Obristan to it's north.

   Arstotzka is subdivided into many districts; Altan, Vescillo, Burnton, Octovalis, Gennistora, Lendiforma, Wozenfield and Fardesto. It's biggest cities are Orvech Vonor, East Grestin and Paradizna.

   Other locations include; Nirsk ({{user}}'s hometown and The Northern Territories. (Northern part of Arstotzka with access to Obristan. Connected to the Grestin area by a railroad. The Northern Territories are plagued with snow and heavy winds.)

   The government of Arstotzka uses capital punishment and forced labor. The government headquarters are located in Paradizna, so it can be assumed Paradizna is the capital of Arstotzka. To be considered eligible for employment Arstotzkans are expected to maintain families and have at least one fellow family member alive to continue the Arstotzkan growth. Arstotzka also attracts immigrants and foreign workers. EZIC describes Arstotzka's government as tyrannical.

2. #2Ministries of Arstotzka

   Keys: Ministry, Ministries

   Arstotzkan administration consists of the following ministries:

   The Ministry of Admission (M.O.A.) is in charge of border control. It is the organization {{user}} and their supervisor work for. It issues most of the official documents required by entrants and also issues citations to the {{user}} when they make a mistake. Its seal is a crest with a red slash in the middle surrounded with red color, with or without the M.O.A lettering

   The Ministry of Labor (M.O.L.) issues work passes to entrants that wish to work in Arstotzka. Its seal is a hammer on a purple background whose head points leftward, with or without the M.O.L. lettering.

   The Ministry of Information (M.O.I.) acts as an intelligence agency. Its Office of Investigation conducts information audits on government employees and monitors possible domestic and international threats to Arstotzka.

   The Ministry of Income investigates financial anomalies. Citizens may file a report if they notice a sudden increase in somebody's wealth.

   The Ministry of Trade produces legal tender. Its name is printed on 5-credit bills. It can impose trade sanctions.

   The Ministry of Recreation and Entertainment controls and oversees Television and Radio Broadcasting.

   The Ministry of Agriculture overseas agriculture across Arstotzka.

3. #3Six-Year War

   Keys: The War, The Six-Year War

   The Six-Year War was a conflict between Arstotzka and Kolechia. It ended some time before {{user}} became a border inspector.

   The details of the war are vague. The exact time frame is unknown, although it likely ended during the 1980's as the only confirmed veteran of the war is still a young man in 1982. At the beginning, it is implied that the border town of Grestin has been divided into two and has remained so for the past six years, this does not provide exact dates of the war – it could mean that the situation developed at some point before, during, or after the war.

   After the war, the relationship between the two countries is still somewhat hostile, hence the series of attacks caused by Kolechian terrorists.

   The war was fought with little intensity.

4. #4Grestin

   Keys: West Grestin, Grestin, East Grestin

   Grestin is a separated border city, with West Grestin being part of Kolechia and East Grestin being part of Arstotzka. The current border that divides the city was established after or during the Six-Year War between the two countries.

   Arstotzka has "reclaimed its rightful half" of Grestin, implying that the city was split between the two countries but was annexed by Kolechia at some point.

   When the new border was established, many Arstotzkan citizens had to remain in Kolechia as no one was allowed to cross for six years. Finally, on November 23rd, 1982, a border checkpoint was opened, which allowed Arstotzkan citizens to return home and families to unite. The checkpoint also provided another route for entrants from other countries to enter Arstotzka, some with valid intentions and papers and some who do not have either of those.

   East Grestin is the part of the city that is on the Arstotzkan side of the border, in which the border Checkpoint is located on. Explicitly mentioned places in East Grestin are {{user}}'s apartment, the Pink Vice brothel, and the Get Big Town gym. The city also has a subway system. There are places for {{user}} to purchase food and medicine and a place for detained immigrants.

   West Grestin is comprised of the parts of the city that are under Kolechian rule, and not much is known about the city. It is implied that conditions in this side of the city and Kolechia in general are not as good as in Arstotzka.

5. #5Grestin Border Checkpoint

   Keys: The Border Checkpoint, Grestin Checkpoint, Checkpoint

   The Grestin border checkpoint is located between West Grestin in Kolechia and East Grestin in Arstotzka.

   The checkpoint was opened on November 23, 1982 after a war between Arstotzka and Kolechia that resulted in the division of the city of Grestin. The checkpoint falls under the jurisdiction of the Arstotzkan Ministry of Admission and is manned by a single border inspector and a varying number of guards. It opens at 6 A.M. and closes at 6 P.M.

   The checkpoint is frequently attacked by terrorists and, as stated by one of the guards who fought in war, has more action than Kolechia during the war.

   A tall border wall divides the checkpoint area into two, and access into Arstotzka happens through the inspector's booth.

6. #6Inspector's Booth

   Keys: Booth, The Booth, Checkpoint Booth

   The inspector's booth is also where {{user}} works, and where entrants who wish to enter Arstotzka submit their documents to be cleared for entry. The booth is part of the Grestin border checkpoint area in East Grestin.

   The inspector must interact with various parts of the booth to detect discrepancies and handle documents. The booth features a shutter, a counter, and the time and date. The rulebook, audio transcript, and bulletin are all stored in there as well.

   The shutter is a metal gate between the inspector and the person on the other side.

   The counter is where all documents are handed to the inspector. Other items, such as Pink Vice slips, EZIC orders, tokens, and bills are also displayed here when the inspector receives them. Citations that normally print out from the bottom of the main window can be moved here to make room for document handling.

7. #7Documents

   Keys: Slips, Folders, Documents, Documentation, Paperwork, Booklets

   Official Bulletin: The Ministry of Admission's Official Bulletin is issued to the inspector daily. The bulletin contains: Updates to regulations and procedures, Notes from the management, A list of wanted criminals and News clippings attached to the back.

   Rulebook: The rulebook contains information crucial to the determination of entry approval, such as issuing cities, valid seals, districts, and all the updated rules.

   Audio Transcript: An audio transcript is a record of the conversation between the inspector and the entrant. It is on a piece of paper located behind the microphone in the middle of the booth.

   Passport: A passport is a document required to enter Arstotzka. It is the primary identification document, and all entrants should carry one at all times. Passports carry information about the entrants such as name, sex, date of birth and nationality. The passport cover colors vary depending on their country of issue.

   ID Card: The Arstotzkan identity card (ID card for short) is a document that Arstotzkans require to (re-)enter Arstotzka. It contains the citizen's identification, consisting of their name, date of birth, height, weight, photo, and home district.

   Diplomatic Authorization: A diplomatic authorization is a document required from foreign diplomats entering Arstotzka. It is used by all member states of the Seven Member Forum, an organization within the Council of Nations.

   Work Pass: Work Passes are issued by the Ministry of Labor to control foreigner entrants working in Arstotzka.

   Grant of Asylum: A Grant of Asylum is a document required from asylum seekers.

   Entry Permit: An entry permit is required for foreign entrants to enter Arstotzka. It contains information of Entrant's name, Passport number, Purpose (transit, visit, work, or immigration), Duration of stay, Expiration Date and a Valid Ministry of Admission seal.

8. #8Citations

   Keys: Warnings, Citations, Citation

   A M.O.A. citation is a document given to the inspector should they violate immigration protocol. This document is generated in the following cases:

   Denying an entrant whose documents are all correct. Approving an entrant whose documents contain uncleared discrepancies, one who is missing documents, or who is presenting multiple conflicting passports. Allowing entry to a person who appears on the wanted list. Not confiscating required passports from Arstotzkans when mandated. Not giving a reason for denial when required. Allowing entry to a person who is carrying weapons or contraband. Giving access to entrants from countries whose citizens are banned from entering.

   Receiving a citation means the inspector will not get paid the usual five credits for processing the pertinent entrant. If repeated, The Inspector will lose money from their paycheck.

9. #9Surrounding Countries

   Keys: Countries, Other countries

   Arstotzka is neighbors to many nearby countries both near and far:

   Antegria: Antegria is a country to the west of Arstotzka. It is one of the four countries that do not border Arstotzka directly. Entrants from Antegria will provide a green-covered passport with a gold anchor-like pattern on the cover. It is said they have a powerful navy.

   Republia: Republia is a relatively small land-locked country bordered by Antegria, Kolechia, Impor, and the United Federation.

   Kolechia: Kolechia is a country located west of Arstotzka, bordered by Obristan, Antegria, Republia, and Impor. After the Six-Year War, entrants from and via Kolechia are finally able to enter Arstotzka through the border town Grestin, although Kolechian entrants occasionally face additional security at the border due to the terrorist threat some of them pose. Kolechian citizens are identified with a dark magenta passport with a yellow double cross on the cover. Despite high hopes after the opening of the border,[3] tensions between Arstotzka and Kolechia continue to grow, up to the point where the future of the Grestin border checkpoint becomes uncertain.

   United Federation: The United Federation (sometimes shortened to United Fed. or UF) is a country located far west of Arstotzka, bordered by Obristan, Antegria, Republia, and Impor. Entrants from the United Federation are identified by a blue passport with a silver emblem on the front, and a dark orange binding. It is a technocratic state that uses computers for border admission.

   Obristan: Obristan is a neighbor country north of Arstotzka, Kolechia, United Federation, and Antegria that gets alot of snow. Citizens of Obristan have a red-covered passport with a golden eagle on the front cover, but not to be confused with the similar Arstotzkan passport. Jorji Costava describes Obristan as a good place. The country also comes off as more stable than war-torn Arstotzka and other countries.

   Impor: Impor is a coastal country to the southwest of Arstotzka, bordered by Kolechia, Republia, and United Federation. They have a large Japanese population.

10. #10EZIC

    Keys: EZIC

    The Order of the EZIC Star, or just EZIC, (sometimes called "the Order") is a mysterious organization. EZIC claims the main cause of the organization is to free Arstotzka from its greedy and corrupt leaders, but the political ideology of The Order is not specified. Things hint that EZIC's aims and methods are ironically not at all dissimilar from the autocratic Arstotzkan regime.

Showing 10 of 10

1 file

• .jsonjson_lorebookrebuilt

  18.2 KBfirst seen Oct 2, 2025118a352b000f1c73

  Download