 Gwynedd itself is a medieval kingdom similar to the British Isles of the 10th century, with a powerful Holy Church (based on the Roman Catholic Church), and a feudal government ruled by a hereditary monarchy.The population of Gwynedd includes normal humans and Deryni, a race of people with inherent psychic and magical abilities.The novel begins six months after the conclusion of "Camber of Culdi" and is set around of King Cinhil Haldane's efforts and those of his allies to secure the kingdom following the successful coup that overthrew the Deryni tyrant, King Imre Furstán-Festil.