Having invested 80 hours into this fantastic game, I've gathered some insights to share!
TLDR: Choose a building location that appeals to you aesthetically; after a few hours into the gameplay, appearance will be the primary factor to consider
Realm Layout: A crucial aspect to consider is the location of your portal. Although you can construct your own portals after approximately 4-7 hours of gameplay, it's wise to establish your base about 100 meters from any static portal. You might even integrate this structure into your base design. The minor card transmuter becomes less relevant later on, as you'll eventually use a remote device. If you're not satisfied with your realm's layout, you can always generate a new one by resetting it at the portal machine (ensure you select the reset checkbox, not the button!). In terms of safety, Abeyance realms are quite secure. Just a tip to avoid annoyance: all creatures have fixed spawn points. Ensure your base isn't on top of recently cleared boar or wolf spawn points – simply moving 100 meters away should suffice to avoid pesky neighbours.
Location: Flat valleys are stylish and practical, allowing for easy movement. However, with teleportation, you can opt for a more unconventional base location, like building your fortress on the 50th floor. I did this for the spectacular views, though it might not be the most practical choice.
Resources: Resource location becomes less significant once you've accessed portals, as you'll begin harvesting materials from other realms. I've even set up realms specifically designed as factories, using Minor cards to create optimal conditions for crafting and gathering.
Minor Cards: These are pivotal, especially as you progress and gain access to portals and remote transmuters. Initially, I recommend the Trickster Card for three reasons: its enhanced jumping ability allows faster exploration, fall damage immunity is essential while mastering your umbrella, and the mixed drops feature lets you gather meat from plants, saving you the effort of hunting. For the later stages, the Settler Apogean Card is ideal, providing an infinite supply of ingots and plants vital for base construction. You can also make the weather sunny, countering the rains of the swamps, but in my opinion it is a waste of minor card slot ;)
