Human culture in Valhalla is very similar to human culture in most of the Remaining Western World (RWW). However, most who remember the time say that Valhalla's culture resembles that of the former United States. Founding Father Elias Meyer fully intended for this to be the case:

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"There are instances of government overreach across the globe. Before our Revolution, I always assumed the Americans were mad; crazy and paranoid for clinging to their guns and conspiracy theories of pushes to statism. Then, our Revolution happened and it all made sense. For years, corrupt politicians took advantage of the archaic language of the former United States Constitution. Today, I declare our rights in clear and concise terms. Let Valhalla be the light. Ab hinc, ad lucem."

Founding Father Elias Meyer

-Founding Day, September 1st 2003

 

Race

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The topic of race among humans has always been difficult to discuss and the debate between humans and Ski'tal is no different. There are two types of racism in Valhalla; "regular", anti-Ski'tal prejudice, and something colloquially known as "old-fashioned". Being "old-fashioned is exactly as implied; racism towards other humans.

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"Old-fashioned" racism was the prejudice practiced before the Ski'tal were found in the late 70s in South America. The designation was created after their discovery and "priorities shifted".

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Among citizens, there are "Valhallan Purists". These are citizens that feel as if the roots of Valhalla's German roots have been abandoned. Purists are strictly anti-Ski'tal and anti-immigration in the name of Founder Elias Meyer, which is a misattribution; Elias Meyer actively welcomed Ski'tal into Valhalla. 

 

Valhallan Purists point to the experimentation and implementation of synthetic limbs and implants as the "Original Sin" of Valhalla's current society. Because of refinement, testing, and privatization, synthetic limbs and implants became widely accessible; putting the Valhallan Purists in the vocal minority of dissenters.

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Technology

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Dr. Alex Conroy lead years of morally dubious testing, reverse engineering, and trials in order to create the open-source blueprint for synthetic limbs. Dr. Conroy stumbled upon certain limitations to this technology. Here are some of his notes:

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"The subjects have proven very useful in my findings:

• Humans are not capable of storing firearms internally with implants. Per Test 123.b, extensive internal exposure to recently discharged firearms has caused led poisoning. Four subjects have died during this test.

• It is possible to contract an infection through the improper installation of implants, installing unsanitary implants, or, if ejectable/exposed, insufficient cleaning of parts. Exhibited in Test 92.c.

• Extreme cardiovascular activity can cause implants to overload and exhibit strange, erratic movement. Incidents were reported throughout public and private interactions; the main cause being stress. Surprisingly, there was a high incident rate when subjects became intimate.

• Implants do not require an internal or external power source in order to operate. The current electrical output of the human brain will suffice. The nervous system of the body is linked with the implants. In turn, this allows the subjects to touch and feel as if their limbs were organic. Subjects also exhibited reception to pain and discomfort, per Tests 23.a, 23.b, and 23.c.

• Since the implants are tapping into the energy of the brain and nervous system, the extent in which the implants can augment and the abilities they can produce are limited. Test 85.b showed that an attempt to create implants that generated fire literally fried the subject's brain, killing him via aneurysm.

• Implants applied to the brain itself are quite risky, but doable. It may be possible to increase the wattage of the brain through this method, but Tests 88-94.d have all failed. Four of those subjects were killed by aneurysms.

• Damaging the implants can have drastic, adverse, and unpredictable effects. Mild effects such as severe soreness, all the way up to (but not limited to) circulatory shock are possible. Tests 1, 7, and 9.a-9.e all displayed different reactions to their damaged implants.

• Software can be programmed into each implant. Subjects D1A, A9B, G4D, and F2W all attempted to escape  ̶̶̶t̶̶̶h̶̶̶e̶̶̶i̶̶̶r̶̶̶ ̶̶̶p̶̶̶u̶̶̶n̶̶̶i̶̶̶s̶̶̶h̶̶̶m̶̶̶e̶̶̶n̶̶̶t̶̶̶ ̶the test chamber. Software allowed electrical charges to be delivered to their nervous systems immediately. Subject D1A's head burst from the overloading of his brain. Implants were recalibrated."

Dr. Alex Jakob Conroy (Circa 2007)

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Immigration

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Valhalla has rather generous immigration laws that allow anyone without a felonious background to enter the country. All that is required is any form of valid government identity and a citizenship charge of $700 Valhallan Dollars ($950 USD). Citizenship can be applied for before arriving online or at the port of entry. Immigration by air is not allowed. Immigrants can fly into neighboring countries and enter by ferry. The ferry takes approximately 2 days from Singapore to Valhalla.

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A surprising amount of immigrants in Valhalla are former United States citizens. Reasons vary from the current state of distress in the United States to the massive political divide that split the country. Most U.S. immigrants see Valhalla as a "Second America".