after a run with the holy nation i can finally say: who's the idiot who keeps saying they're evil? their land is SAFE, and i mean SAFE, nothing will attack you, even wildlife is neutral and extremely weak and even if you're inept enough to screw up there's plenty of patrols willing to help and feed you, there's just no danger, everything is green and lush and tranquil, resources abound everywhere, people are nice, kind and welcoming. all they ask in return is thoughts and prayers once a week and for you to know your place in society because safety and richness demand order. that's it.
united cities? skimmers. gorram skimmers everywhere. and when you dodge skimmers there's sand ninjas. and then dust bandits. and then rebel farmers. and then vagrants. and then slavers or manhunters. and when you finally find a military patrol, oh sorry it's a noble hunter who'll snipe the shit out of your face in the middle of nowhere-to-hide.
holy nation is not a "lesser evil", it's plain good.