Flag of west of Eden The colors of the flag; blue, green, and brown symbolize the colors of the Earth. The Falg's emblem is the tree because it is a universally recognized symbol for life.

Transportation Walking on foot-- on ground, on bridges, on ladders-- is the way most Edenites go. Boats, hangliders, the monorail, and electric shuttles are favorites for long distances, and planes are the way most people travel to mainland Neoamerica. Edenites are currently experimenting with the magnetics behind the monorail to create efficient hovercraft.

Fashion Edenites have an eclectic taste in clothing. Some loosely follow the trends of Neoamerica, while others follow the fashions of other eras and cultures, merge different tastes, or just do their own weird thing. West of Eden's interpretation of the tunic is the most practical clothing and is generally worn by everyone at least some of the time; tunics are comfortable, reasonably loose-fitting but flattering, come in any length and style, and may be cinched along the legs whenever someone wants to climb a tree or do something otherwise aerobic (and not flash everyone in the process). Edenites still express themselves with tattoos, piercings, etc., though henna is the most common technique.

Family/Community Edenites enjoy close family relationships. The tightest bonds are within the family tree, but strong relations extend into the community. In fact, suspended bamboo bridges link the family trees to community areas, where Edenites gather for parties, bazaars, and fairs. These community areas occupy several platforms constructed around five to ten towering trees, with shops in every tree and things to do on every level. There are even internet cafes, game rooms, chocolatiers, and pet shops.

Diet Edenites meet their nutritional requirements with fruits and veggies from organic farm crops, along with fresh fish from the sea and various truffles and nuts gathered in the forests. Families often have personal gardens, kept either at the base of the family tree or even scaling the trunk, where symbiotic fruit-bearing vines cling to the tree. Specialty soups are the gourmet delicacy of West of Eden, with snail-'n-tail gumbo rating highest just above carrotomato chowder. Technology: Rather than withdraw from technology for fear of its abuse, Edenites have embraced it. Only in West of Eden it has been transformed into something eco-friendly and organic. Plant tissues conduct electricity and channel information, specialized bacteria wipe out toxins and clean buildings, chemicals spur organs to regenerate themselves And the energy that is generated no longer comes from nuclear plants or coal mines-- but from hydroelectrics, solar panels, thermoelectrics, and wind turbines.

Housing West of Eden is a chiefly arboreal community, with living establishments found among the many trees. One massive tree hosts an entire family; a portion of the interior is hollowed out and may be used as a storehouse, dining room, bedrooms-- whatever--  while the branches and trunk support a glorified tree house, equipped with eco-safe amenities and biotechnology. Family trees may be redwoods or any of the gigantic species indigenous to the location, including live oaks of enormous girth and height. The family and tree exist in a mutualistic relationship, with the tree providing shelter and the family providing maintenance and nutrition. A tree is chosen with great care and often becomes a generational house, surviving for 150-700 years past maturity (depending on species and potential accidents); as a tree approaches its lifebound, the occupants move out, have a mourning ceremony, and the tree is recycled into furniture, boats, etc. Usually a sapling is planted where the family tree once stood, where it is closely supervised and trained by biotects so that it matures into an excellent and unique family tree.

History West of Eden was founded in 2156 on an island off of Gonorrhitrea (formerly the state of California) after some unsuccessful attempts by the Neoamerican government in Walmaerte (formerly D.C.) to counter the degeneration of resources and the population in general.  West of Eden was one of several communities to experiment with solutions to the looming environmental and cultural crisis, along with the PEC (Pink Eye of Compassion) and GAS (God?s Army of Scientists). West of Eden was one of the more successful groups, and many of its practices are being implemented in Neoamerica in the hope of salvaging the struggling nation.

Location 260 miles off the coast of the former state of California, on a temperate island only recently touched by humankind. Features prime fishing coast, farmland, forests, and freshwater resources. Many exotic plantforms and animals along with familiar ones, including beesbutt, a species of prickly vine found to be especially useful in Edenite biotechnology, and rockleaf, a favorite seaweed harvested to make a superior concrete substitute.