Realms
In what was once the United States, eight distinct Realms formed. Seven of which, banded together to form the "United Realms", while the eighth deigned to keep its independency and rule itself alone. The 7 Realms of UR share a similar form of democracy, with their leaders being chosen in some capacity. The lone Realm remains neutral, while amicable, with UR and is run by an ascendancy. All share currency and trade.
After a time, each realm developed its own unique culture and regional aether effects called Numen.
When the Aether returned to the world it imbued powers into the land itself. Each realm is both proficient and inefficient in a Key Dominion of aether, meaning it costs either 1 less or 1 more to purchase gramaryes in these Dominions for those born there. Additionally, some realms may offer special Trades, Vagaries, Talents, and other unique opportunities to their residents. There is more than simply a difference in cultures for each realm, there are benefits and difficulties to every place one may call home.
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High Hinterlands
A rugged realm found in the middle of the land, amongst mountains, plateaus, forests, and fields. The people are separated into various houses that operate individually as small fiefdoms, with their own customs. The heads of each House meet twice a year to collectively make choices for the Realm as a whole.
The people use raw and natural materials and often live in subterranean dwellings built into hills and mountainsides. The nomadic houses tend to live in yurts. Highlanders host large trade Bazaars which people travel from all over the land to trade at, but the natives remain suspicious of outsiders and tend to prefer their own folks.
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New Calif
Boasting the most diverse biomes, from towering red wooded forests, to deserts, magnificent waterfalls and fertile valleys, to long stretches of coastline and volcanoes. With equally diverse architecture, one may find a variety of timbered and stone buildings with a myriad of beautiful stained glass windows. Architectural styles varying from Songnic to Shinden-zukuri and Hanok, with many hidden gardens and small parks.
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The residents are fond of elaborate flowing robes and rich layered outfits.
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Templeton
Formed mostly of desert, deep canyons, and broken mesas in the central and southern portions of this south western realm. To the north can be found prairies and snow capped peaks.
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Homes are typically built in cobb or adobe style with large raw timbered rooves and either floors to match, terracotta tiles, or large stone slabs. The people often wear unbleached fibers, soft thin leathers, and broad brimmed hats, all decorated with geometric designs and ritual symbols. Many buildings also feature these designs.
Laguna
Found in the south east upon a large swath of tropical land detached from the mainland by way of a deep channel that formed during the Cataclysm. Riddled with numerous fresh water springs, rivers, and lakes, while surrounded by many small cays.
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One can often find brightly colored homes along the coasts propped up on stilts over the water, whereas inland one would find more sturdy stucco structures with terracotta tiled roofs. Walkable or boatable neighborhoods, with many people living above small family run shops.
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​One of the two major universities of aether is located here.
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One Republic
Far to the north east is this often cold and stormy realm nestled in forested mountains and valleys. Rich in farmland and featuring many lakes, rivers, and an abundance of waterfalls.
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Homes are built sturdy from stone, brick, slate, marble, and solid dark timbers. Interiors often have exposed beams and rectilinear shapes made of wood and iron, featuring earth toned colors, with many fireplaces and hanging tapestries.
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One of the two universities of Aether is found here.
Lowlan Borough
Along the southern coast of the land is this picturesque marshland featuring extensive wetlands, interspersed with lagoons, swamps, bayous, forests and rich soil. Further inland include low prairies and rolling hills. Humid and subtropical coastal areas with drier inland regions and cold winters/hot summers in the north.
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Local garb includes sleeveless and short sleeved tops, 2 piece outfits, and billowing bottoms with wrapped legs. Head wraps, wear, and adornments are very common. Buildings often feature shuttered full-length windows and double doors, elaborate balconies, ironwork, and vibrant accents.
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Midlund
In the northwestern most portion of the land can be found Midlund, a temperate realm with long stretches of coastline and surrounded on all sides by mountains. This realm boasts glaciers, volcanoes, and rain forests.
The people appreciate, above all else, the ancestors and their history. Thus homes, clothes, and every day items are eclectic, being made of recycled materials as much as possible. Museums, oral history, and libraries are a favorite to them. Family is important to these people and holidays are always boisterous gatherings, bringing in long distance relatives, no matter how far they've traveled.
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Rado
A land locked realm located at high elevations. Split down the center by tall forested alpine mountains, the western half being populated by desert basins, canyons, mesas, and plateaus, and in the east are the grasslands of the High Plains.
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Artistic by nature, the people build their homes, tools, and clothing in anthropomorphic styles to represent their unity with the natural world. If an item is not shaped like an object of nature it'll often feature some nature themed artistic detail.
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Territories Outside of UR
The expanses outside of the borders of each realm are vast and dangerous to traverse since they lack the protection that each Realm provides.
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There are lands far to the north and south of UR that also prosper, but not much is currently known about them. It is rumored amongst explorers that there are also lands across the oceans.
Universal Fashions
In this era gendered clothing is a thing of the past and people wear whatever speaks to them most. There are some articles of clothing that are worn in all realms, regardless of local fashion trends. These timeless and regionless pieces include things such as pointed hats with wide brims, tunics, tabards, smocks, capes, cloaks, and simple boots.