The basic conceit of the Sundered Skies is that the world shattered into many floating fragments. This happened ages ago, and the perpetually drifting rocks can be as small as houses or as large as mountains. Everything is constantly bathed by an orange Glow from above, and people who spend to much time in the radiance go mad. The higher up, the colder it becomes; descend far enough, and it starts to turn into a lurid furnace. A giant waterfall extends all the way from the ship-cracking cold of the top, down to the red heat below.

Standard fantasy races like humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and dragons live on the rocks, and travel between them in flying ships. Magical compasses are used to navigate, and basic black powder technology like flintlocks and cannons exists. The setting has a strong swashbuckling or pirate theme.