Magic exists and is the all powering force on the planet taking the place of any fossil fuels for propulsion, lighting, etc., although not everyone believes in it. Just as in any world there are those who doubt what is and, in the case of Lyanthans, they choose to believe in science. The internal combustion engine was never invented, thus there is almost non-existent pollution allowing the plant and wildlife to flourish unimpeded by unnatural influences. The terrain of the planet has been drastically altered by the Denizens of Thervan Kay-Danmal and the slate has been wiped clean (nine tenths of the population of the world destroyed) at least once by the beginning of The Tale of Chadizah.

Lyantho is a world which has no creatures designated as human (it's not Earth after all.) There are Elves, called Asulek; Tauthans which are the closest to Human in this world; Kiraluu which are people with animal attributes and features; and Suldranis which can be of any race and transform at night into demonesque vampires.

People are born with free will although the boundaries of that freedom are regularly tested by the Denizens. Lyantho is by no means a perfect and peaceful world, however its inhabitants would exist peacefully if it were not for the interference by the Denizens.

The issue in this world is one of control; do Lyanthans control their own destiny? How different is each rotation of a wheel as it is acted upon by outside forces. This is a cycle and it does repeat itself with differences yet to be seen.