All of the "Rayna of Nightwind" novels (including The Beast at the Gate and Beyond the Band of Death) takes place in a land known as Taren. Here, we will explore Taren from a geographical and cultural perceptive. But first, what is Taren? Taren is the wondrous world in which the story takes place. It is a land of extremes—and extreme danger. The Taren River divides Taren nearly in half, with one side known as West Taren and the other East Taren. The citizens of West Taren are a proud people who eschew Psi-magic and instead favor the blade. East Tareners embrace their Psi-magic roots, and until recently, practiced their craft freely. 

 

All of Taren--both East and West--is surrounded by a red, barren wasteland known as the Band. It is said that all who enter the Band die. The Band has a rather mysterious origin and no one in Taren truly knows much about it. White rods of energy fall down from the Band like unbent lightning and destroy anyone unfortunate enough to be in its path. This is where our heroine Rayna gets her first taste of Taren. Needless to say, it's not a good first impression.