Sunrise depicts a mysterious version of the continental United States, one where a kingdom descended from medieval Spanish monarchy holds the southwest within a pre-democratic social structure, while winds of progress begin to blow during an era comparable to the 1950s. In this dangerous environment of dark mystical forces and lethal intrigue, people find themselves enslaved by jealousy and by the intricate compulsions of power.
Beyond the reach of Greater America, Sanoria is a juncture of sociopolitical movements, ranging from the populist democratic movement to the racist society known as the Order of Stars and Stripes.