[1] It is set in a fantasy world with two moons and is loosely based on 12th-century Provence[2] and the Albigensian Crusade.

Residents of these countries worship one of two deities, the war god Corannos or the mother goddess Rian.

[3] A mercenary for hire, he leaves the increasingly politically corrupt Gorhaut, in which a puppet king has been installed after the resolution of a long war with Valensa.

The leaders intend to conquer Arbonne to the south, a land ruled by women and observant of the god Rian, and abolish the worship of the female deity.

[3] The blind Priestess of Rian,[2] religious leader in Arbonne, informs the country's political leaders of the impending arrival of Blaise, who is hired by the powerful duke and troubadour Bertran de Talair.