Gwynedd itself is a medieval kingdom similar to the British Isles of the 12th century, with a powerful Holy Church (based on the Roman Catholic Church), and a feudal government ruled by a hereditary monarchy. The population of Gwynedd includes both humans and Deryni, a race of people with inherent physic and magical abilities who have been brutally persecuted and suppressed for over two centuries.
The description highlights the historical context of Gwynedd as a medieval kingdom with a powerful church, a feudal government, and a distinct Deryni population facing centuries of oppression.