The Balinaka are strong, amphibious mammals native to the ice world of Garnib. Evolved in an arctic climate, they are covered with thick fur, but they also have a dual lung/ gill system so they can breathe air or water. They have webbing between each digit, as well as a long, flexible tail. Their diet consists mostly of fish.
Garnib is extremely cold, with several continents covered by glaciers dozens of meters thick. The Vernols also live on Garnib, but avoid the Balinaka, possibly fearing the larger species. The Balinaka have carved entire underground cities called sewfes,with their settlements having a strange mixture of simple tools and modern devices.
Were it not for the ingenuity of the Balinaka, Garnib would be an ignored and valueless world. However, the Balinaka love for sculpting ice and a chance discovery of Balinaka artists resulted in the fantastic and mesmerizing Garnib crystals, which are known throughout the galaxy for their indescribable beauty. The planet is owned and run by Galactic Crystal Creations (GCC), an employee-owned corporation, so while it is a "corporate world," it is also a world where the people have absolute say over how the company, and thus their civilization, is managed.
Garnib is home to the wallarand,a four-day festival in the height of the "warm" summer season. The wallarand is a once-a-year event that is a town meeting, stock holders meeting, party, and feast rolled up into one. GCC headquarters selects the sight of the wallarand, and then each community sends one artist to help carve the buildings an sculptures for the temporary city that will host the event. Work begins with the arrival of winter, as huge halls for the meeting, temporary residences and market place booths are carved out of the ice. | 
