Akrena

Northern most Country of the Midden Realm

Government
Akrena is ruled by a council of merchants, the Commerence Council, who are responsible for keeping infrastructure and trade well run. There are strict laws they must abide by or be removed from the position, enforced by the Citizen's Coalition, a collective union of rights advocates that acts as the counter balance to the Commerence Council.

Society
The main populace of this country are those with water and ice elemental affinities, and those with heritages more suited to cold climates. The natives of this country tend to be of stocky build and fair skin, with lighter hair colors being more common.

Fashions:
Being a colder climate, furs and leathers are widely used in clothing. In the summers thick cotton is common for clothing, and bright colors are used liberally when they can. The bright colors are thought to brighten your spirits, and are practically required during festivals. In winter it serves the purpose of making other easier to see in case of emergency.

Traditions:
The people of Akrena hold festivals at the beginning of every season, as a way to say farewell to the last season. Their biggest festival happens in the dead of winter, a week long event called the Starlight Dances. It occurs during the times the northern lights are at their strongest and is used to celebrate the lights i n the darkness of winter. Feasts, dances, drinking and sharing stories are all done at the festival. It is also a time to ask for help if your winter stores are low or you are in need of new coats and other vital gear. The community gathers their resources at the end of the week and distributes to those in need. Gift sharing is common during this festival.

Religions:
The Light and the Shade is loosely practiced here, with many taking small pieces of the religion for themselves and using it as they will in life. There is only one church per major city, and it tends to me used more as a community center than a place of faith.

Geography and Climate
As the northenmost country on Ganim, it tends to be cooler in the summers than most places in fall, and very cold in winters. There are a lot of mountain ranges here, and a lot of rare plants grow on their slopes. These mountain ranges also are home to many hardy creatures that the citizens use parts from to craft with. It snows heavily 4 months out of the year, so most people tend to live in the large cities.

Trivia
There are well stocked rest-houses every 3 miles of road leading up into the mountains and away from cites, placed there to help travelers in the winter months stay safe. They are required to be checked once a week during the winter months to ensure the stocks remain full.