From the introduction: Bizarre fantasy-drama set in an exotic island of a dying earth. In a dying world of Zothique, the exotic island of Xutholanti resides far south in the middle of Indaskian Sea. The kingdom Xutholanti, old as aeons, has always prospered. The produce of their land is highly valued in courts of northern lands: beads, wines, accessories of any kind and as their sea-currents are beyond navigable by others than pure-bred Xutholanti using the magical sailing ships of their own making, no raiding or enforcing of military power over them has ever been a possibility.