The series depicts the continent of Normannia, which is loosely based on Renaissance Europe. The continent is dominated by five powerful kingdoms: Hebrion, Astarac, Perigraine, Almark and Torunna. Other, smaller duchies and principalities exist such as Candelaria, Tulm and Finnmark. The Republic of Fimbria (also known as the Fimbrian Electorates) lies between the five major kingdoms and is clearly modelled after the Roman Empire. Fimbria ruled the entire continent until it lost its empire in a civil war brought on by religious strife some four centuries earlier. Unlike Rome, Fimbria has merely lost its provinces whilst retaining the core kingdoms as an isolationist state. However despite its loss of empire and isolationist policy Fimbria is still militarily powerful its armies are still seen as the most powerful on the continent, even the Merduks fear them. The five Monarchies of God are united in their worship of God through his messenger, the Blessed Saint Ramusio. Ramusio is not of divine origin (although Ramusian doctrine states that he ascended to Heaven rather than suffering a mortal death) but in most other respects the Ramusian Church resembles Christianity. Like the Christian Church, the Ramusian has both a centre of organisation and power (Charibon, akin to Rome) and a spiritual centre (Aekir, akin to Jerusalem). The Ramusians have an ambivalent relationship with a neighbouring religious and cultural group known as the Merduks, who dwell in the lands to the east of Normannia. Although devastating wars have been fought with the Merduks, many of the western kingdoms have also been enriched on trade with them. The Merduks follow the teachings of the Prophet Ahrimuz and their religion is reminiscent of Islam, although there are fewer direct parallels.