The world in which The Rithmatist is set is similar to the recent past of our own but with complex geared machinery, known as "springwork", taking the role of technologies that would, in reality, usually be powered by electricity or steam.
At 8 years old, children undergo a religious ceremony known as Inception, during which the child's fate is decided: fewer than 1 in 1000 are chosen to become Rithmatists.
After graduating, a Rithmatist is expected to spend time in Nebrask actively using their gift and training to wage war, protecting the United American Isles from the threat of Wild Chalklings escaping The Tower.
The story mainly takes place at Armedius Academy, one of 8 schools that trains and teaches Rithmatists, alongside non-Rithmatists with rich or important families.
[2] One of the reasons Brandon hasn't worked on the sequel, yet, is that it will deal with Native American culture and he wants to be sure to treat the subject matter with due respect.