Ik'Ra

Ik’Ra is the only country on the second circle, and most likely the one with the harshest environment. Ik’Ra is covered in jagged, snow-peaked mountains and evergreen forests. The conditions outside make it impossible for humans to survive and it’s only safe to go out when the blizzards have stopped, which only happens for an hour or so every day. The Ik’Ranians get around this problem by living in cities carved out inside the mountains, safe from the bitter conditions outside. The Ik’Ranians face no difficulties living inside the mountains; they can even farm in them. Many Ik’Ranians are employed in mining; the mountains of Ik’Ra contain countless veins of valuable ores and stones. Ik’Ra has a tiny military which only protects towns from any violent animals that somehow make their way into the cities and from criminals. The architecture of Ik’Ranian cities makes them almost impossible to siege. Ik’Ra’s cities are connected by railway tracks which go through tunnels through the mountains, which operate almost as train lines. Carriages are pulled along the tracks by Puals: a species of huge creatures that look like they’re somewhere between a grizzly bear and a tiger. They are all domesticated and are Ik’Ra’s alternative to horses. They also pull carriages along Ik’Ra’s few outside roads. Ik’Ra is ruled by a young, but wise queen and her advisors.