The story takes place on a completely fictional island nation called Passer-Cunae, with the hinterland city of Saint Patella being in the focus. The island is mostly of oceanic climate so it's usually quite cool and it rains a lot.

Technology isn't quite as developed as nowadays in real life, the old way of living and medieval buildings are treasured so much the government has actually banned the building of tall and too modern-looking structures. Social equality isn't much thought about and there are a lot of people living in poverty while a part of the population enjoys expensive lifestyle. Crime-rates in most of the area are quite high and there is a lot of organized crime.

CULTURE

Birds unarguably have the most important aspect in the culture of Passer-Cunae. Most of the people belong to the religion of the state with the great bird spirits Ara and Irik as their gods. The base creation myth tells how these two beings floated above the expanse of water at the beginning of time, making the sky and the earth from two eggs seized from the water. Together Ara and Irik shaped bits of earth into people and woke them up with bird cries. Practicing other religions is not forbidden but greatly despised and loathed, black magic is considered unforgivable.

Many festivals associated with birds are held along the year including the coming of swallows in the spring, the wren hunt, different rites for the gods and a celebration meant to chase away magpies, the birds of misfortune. Birds also appear in many everyday chores and actions as old beliefs, prayers and art. After birth every child is given a small, usually wooden sielulintu (soul bird) statue made by their parents. Sielulintu presents the soul and inner essence of the person and the species of the bird is determined by a priestess of Ara and Irik right after the name giving ceremony. It is the duty of every citizen of Passer-Cunae to carry their sielulintu with them at all times as the main purpose of the statue is to capture the spirit of its owner if one happens to perish, and carry it to the heavens.