Argentry

''"It's a magical place to visit. If you have a family or just love being immersed in a sense of wonder and showmanship, you owe it to yourself to book a trip to Argentry. But don't stay. I don't recommend you move there." -Blartslow Parker, big-name travel blogger''

The Kingdom of Argentry is a state located under the surface of the planet Astodel. A hole on the planet's surface gives limited sunlight to the center provinces. It was the last Astrodelan civilization to join the Galactic Federation. It is currently known for its many magnificent castles, which the resident species, the Ardillos, have crafted elaborate and expensive theme parks around. Ardillo subjects of the kingdom are called Argents.

History
Argentry was for many years an isolated country, with very little trade happening between it and the other civilizations of Astodel. The Ardillos of this time period were known to be fierce warriors who took pride in defending their home from "giants". This eventually began to end when the Galactic Federation first made contact. The advance group of humans tried right away to bring the Argents into the Federation, but the Argents were having none of it. The humans, distracted by how small and fluffy the Ardillos were, were caught by surprise when the Argents unleashed their hostility and ran them out of the country. At first, they perceived it as they did their many other victories: they'd driven some giants out of their land just like always.

But the Galactic Federation had other plans. After they'd won the membership of every other Astodelan country, they sent in troops supplied with high-tech weaponry and modern combat tactics. The Argents' technology level was comparable to planet Earth's Late Medieval period, and as such, they were hopelessly outmatched.

The destruction of the war brought despair, both physical and existential, to the Ardillos of Argentry. The Federation troops outclassed theirs in every way. They were tired, humiliated, on their last legs. The King at the time, King Erias, saw no choice but to formally surrender to the Galactic Federation, opening up the country to trade and visitors. Pleased with the surrender, the Federation allowed Erias to remain King, and shape his subjects, grateful that he had saved them from the brink of oblivion, into a society much more agreeable to galactic society at large.

Modern Day
Society in modern day Argentry is heavily shaped by King Erias's postwar rule. The surviving castles were restored and turned into centerpieces for theme parks, which, upon their success among visitors from all over the galaxy, expanded into an entertainment empire. For Argentry, this means there are an immense number of theme parks, practically one for every city. Most have a fairy-tale theming, though there are other notable ones, such as an "Experimental Future" park, and a Wildlife park that quickly sapped away business from Gannaria's Nature Reserve.

The parts of Argentry that aren't dedicated to parks and amusements are mostly run-down ore mining towns and "dead burrows" which house the majority of park workers. Those are so-named because they are very bare-bones kinds of areas, with skeletons of stores and services to contrast those within the gentrified parks and nobility dwellings. King Erias and his various successors so far have not really helped mitigate this. Indeed, under the current King, King Aiga, the parks and entertainment assets have only ballooned in size and revenue while the dead burrows grow poorer.

The nobility of Argentry sees fierce competition among the nobles, as every 5 years, the King re-evaluates noble families. Those who impress him are granted higher ranks, with fancier titles. Those who are deemed unworthy by him lose their ranks and titles, banishing them to the lower class. Thus, the noble families work to keep up appearances and groom their children to be the best, brightest, and impressive. The "jackpot" to ensure a noble family stays noble, is to set up their own family line to marry into the crown family. This reaches a fever pitch whenever the current Princess Dizuni begins to approach adulthood. (Ever since King Erias's rule, it has been tradition for the crown princess to be named "Dizuni", after Erias's daughter).

Argent society places heavy value on playing up one's own cuteness to maximize how endearing other species find them, and thus, be charmed by their theme parks above all others. Within Argent society, the general rule is the cuter you are, the better your reputation and opportunities. The cute and charismatic get to work as park "hosts" (the use of the word "employee" is strictly forbidden) while those who don't fit the bill as much tend to be stuck with the mines as their only employment option. Non-Ardillo citizens have it really bad, because it's nearly impossible to get non-mining work in the kingdom. (Though of course there's always just enough let in to the big leagues to make it seem like anyone has a chance).

As a result of the many intense pressures, Argents tend to exhibit unhealthy levels of compulsion to please others, even if they've been away from Argentry for years.

Meta
This kingdom is basically an absolute hell mix of Disney Parks, European Nobility, and Japan's Cute Culture (kawaisa), all turned up to a scathing 11. (I'm Japanese I'm allowed to do this) Also its name is based off of argentum (silver) and gentry (as in gentrification).