Aether

Aether (五大, Godai; literally, "Five Great Wisdom Kings") is one of the five soul societies in the Spiritual World. It is the soul society that deals specifically with the North American countries. It is mostly made up of one giant city called the Goreizen (御霊前, "Before the Spirit of the Deceased") which has three levels; Upper, Mid, and Lower, which house the North American Plus and Shinigami.

Overview
Aether is a massive continent, located in the Reikai, that is dominated by one massive city; spanning from coast to coast for thousands upon thousands of miles. Souls of those that die in the North American continents go to this soul society and, depending on spirit power, are placed withing the different segments of the giant city of Goreizen. The top portion of the world, or the Upper Goreizen is where the Shinigami and courts exist. Wealthy and middle class citizens congregate in the Mid Goreizen, while the poor and sickly gather in the Lower Goreizen, where almost no sunlight reaches.

Life in Aether is much like modern-day America; technology is far more advanced than the other soul societies, the city has a very active city life, and even the appearance of their Shinigami are more modern than the other, more feudal-like societies.

Much of the other aspects of Aether, though, are like it's counterparts. Family's and friends are rarely reunited in the massive city unless they arrive together. People often live with complete strangers until they get to know them, souls do not get hungry unless they have a great aptitude for spiritual power, and aging is extremely slowed, with lifespans in the thousands not being uncommon in the least bit. Despite this, souls aren't immortal; babies can be born and people can die just as Humans do if they are murdered or killed by disease or combat.

Accessing Aether
Shinigami come and go in Aether the same as they do in Soul Society; through the Senkaimon using a Jigokuchō. Pluses still enter via Soul Burial as well. Spirits can also be born into Aether the same way they are born in the living world. If one doesn't have a Jigokuchō, they, like in Soul Society, are forced to go through the Dangai, which is far more dangerous to do, as souls that cannot pass through before the gate to Aether closes are trapped there forever. Finally, Hollows can also directly rip a hole to Aether from Hueco Mundo, or in the case of Arrancar, using their ability, Garganta.

Chancellor
Aether is ruled by a Chancellor (首相,Shushō), also called the Chancellor of the Realm (太政大臣, Daijōdaijin). He is usually a powerful Shinigami who is elected by the Council of the Five Great Wisdom Kings to lead. He then serves a lifetime term. He, like the Spirit King of Soul Society, lives in a separate dimension which can only be accessed via an object called the Sacred Talisman (聖札,Seifuda), which can only be generated by the Chancellor himself.

Chancellor's Guard
A group of nine unbelievably powerful Shinigami tasked with the sole purpose of ensuring the survival of the Chancellor of Aether. They are the equivalent of Soul Society's Royal Guard.

Legislative
The Council of the Five Great Wisdom Kings (五大の会議, Godai no kaigi) govern Aether under the guidance of the Chancellor. They make the laws and are selected from among the nobility of Mid Goreizen by the people of Lower Goreizen, making Aether a type of democracy. All Shinigami forces answer directly to them except in times of war, when they will report directly to the Chancellor himself.

Judiciary
The Soul Court (霊裁判所, Reisaibansho) tries all criminals both foreign and domestic. Not much is known about it's current workings.

Jūnizoku
The Jūnizoku (十二族, Twelve Tribes) are the military force of Aether; equivalent to the Gotei 13 of Soul Society. It is split into twelve divisions, or tribes, but unlike the Gotei 13, the tribes do not have any notable special traits. They are simply large armies of Shinigami run by Generals and their Privates. All generals are apart of a council that decides the course of action for the group, though ultimately their orders come from the Legislator or the Chancellor.

Goreizen
The Goreizen (御霊前, "Before the Spirit of the Deceased") is the continent-spanning city that covers Aether. It has three levels; the Upper, Mid, and Lower. The Upper Goreizen is inhabited by the privileged Shinigami of Aether and features the towering glittering spire shaped skyscrapers that dominate the realm's landscape. The Middle Goreizen is a level between the Upper and the Lower portions. Many small business owners live here, and most average people come to the Middle portion to conduct business. The Lower Goreizen is home to Aether's under-privileged classes.