Alera is a northern realm, it is cold, snowy, and mountainous, which means travel is hard and famines and wars take a big toll on the people. The land isn’t very fertile so most of the people are hunters, and 80% crops are imported from other realms.

In the summer, temperatures only reach 20-25 degrees during heatwaves, but during winter average temperatures range from -2 to -10 degrees Celsius (Sorry to all the Americans) which means it can be dangerous especially in the northern mountains of the realm. Hypothermia and frostbite are common among visitors, and less so among locals.

Snow covers the ground and lakes are frozen most of the time in winter, so common professions in other realms such as farming and fishing are rarer, and the people rely on hunting more.

The country is ruled by a king or queen. All of the royal family carry the last name Alera, which cannot be found in any other family in the realm. A team of seven advisors monitor the ruler’s decisions. Three are appointed by the previous advisors, and the other four are voted on by the people. If five or more advisors vote against the king or queen’s wish, they are forbidden to carry out the wish.