Boundaries: The simple description is that Deseret is primarily the Salt Lake valley stretching from the old town of Preston, Idaho to the north to Nephi, Utah in the south. The easternmost outpost is the settlement in Moab, and the westernmost is the semi-autonomous city state of Elko.
Government: Theocratic Council of Apostles
Legal Code:
Climate: The region lies in a semi-arid region in the Salt Lake Valley, surrounded by mountains and the Great Salt Lake, and receives little precipitation. Under the Köppen climate classification, Salt Lake City has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk). The city has four distinct seasons, with a cold, snowy winter, a hot, dry summer, and comfortable, relatively wet transition periods. The Pacific Ocean is the primary influence on the weather, contributing storms from about October to May, with spring being the wettest season. Snow falls frequently during the winter, contributed largely by the lake-effect from the Great Salt Lake. The only source of precipitation in the summer is monsoon moisture moving north from the Gulf of California. Summers are hot, frequently reaching above 100°F (38°C), while winters are cold and snowy. However, winters are warmer than one would expect at this elevation and latitude, due to the Rocky Mountains to the east and north that usually block powerful polar highs from affecting the state during the winter. Temperatures rarely fall below 0°F (-18°C), but frequently stay below freezing. Temperature inversions during winter can lead to thick overnight fog and daytime haze in the valley as cool air, moisture, and pollutants are trapped in the valley by surrounding mountains.
Population: 95,000
Economics: Primarily agrarian with some industry and salvage around the former Salt Lake city, called the Junkyard. There is also some textiles based on wool and alpaca.
Agriculture: The Great Basin (Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado) is in many ways a giant steppe ideal for nomadic herding and ranching. As a result the principal products of Deseret are related to livestock: Cattle, Sheep, Camel, Alpaca, Ostrich, Bison, Horses, leather and tanned goods. There is some farming but much of the great basins best farmlands would be considered ‘marginal’ anywhere else.
Trade: Deseret actively pursues trade with its neighbors. Unfortunately their active missionary and proselytizing activities are frequently viewed as an overt form of ‘cultural imperialism’ making the Deseret’s near neighbors nervous. As a result Pocatello, Boise, Grand Junction Reno, The Klamath and the Four Corners Nations tend to be a bit stiff-necked toward the Deseret. Neighbors farther away are more likely to be receptive to trade caravans out of Salt Lake.
Religion: Post Rapture Order of the Redeemer10%, Sons of Deseret 85%, Gaianism, 2%, Wiccan 1%, Order of the Martial Way 1%, Other 1%.
Standard of Living:
Rural: Life on the Great Basin can be hard, but rewarding. ‘New Jerusalem’ has the advantage of existing on terrain that is pretty much derided as not worth the effort. On the other hand, there's a reason for that opinion; its arid, hot, the soil is poor and the summers are miserable. The only place more hellish in the summer might be the Salt River valley in Arizona. But not by much. That being said, those who know how to make a living here do very well.
Urban: The Urban core of Deseret around Junkyard and Provo can be a contrast with the rest of the region. There is water to spare and sufficient wealth to make it a worthwhile destination for trade caravans and travelers. The LDS Temple is considered one of the wonders of the world to this very day.
Gender Equity: Sure. Why not? Women are considered equal within the parameters of a polygamous society. Just have a male escort along to be safe if your visiting.
Armed Forces: Deseret has no formal military. Instead every able bodied male between the ages of 16 and 60 is a member of the militia and expected to drill twice a month except during Harvest.
Dominant Arcane Tradition: Miracles
History: