The story takes place in the world of Eora, in a region placed in the southern hemisphere called the Eastern Reach, an area roughly the size of Spain. The Eastern Reach contains several nations, including the Free Palatinate of Dyrwood – a former colony of the mighty Aedyr Empire that won its independence through a revolutionary war – the Vailian Republics – a confederation of sovereign city-states – and the Penitential Regency of Readceras – a quasi-theocratic state ruled by priests of the god Eothas.