The Nights Dawn Trilogy takes place in the opening years of the 27th Century, From 2611 A.D.

Between the beginning of the 21st Century to this distant time many great changes occur, both in terms of the disposition of human society and in changes to science, culture, theology and philosophy.

The most significant changes are the expansion of humanity amongst the stars, and the creation of a seperate lineage of humanity with a genetic and cultural heritage that contrasts greatly with the long established norm.

The information age of the early 21st century gave way to the bitek age, where bio technology became the main driving force in human civilisation. Almost overnight this age was ended. Both Government and Religious institutions which had long feared the moral and ethical implications of the developing technology placed an outright block on the technology. The main impetus for this drastic move was the death of Wing-Tsit Chong, the creator of Affinity. Chong, a recognised genius in the fields of Biotechnology and cybernetics, had theorised the possibility of an communication system which exploited quantum phenomenon to allowed for direct mind link between those who possess the appropriate neural mechanism.

He was working at the time on the Jovian Bitek Habitats of Eden and Palas, placed in Jupiter orbit to support Helium mining efforts of the Jovian Sky Power Corporation JSKP.

The aim of the first Affinity symbiont neurons was to provide direct mental control of Bitek and Geneered servitor animals. Rapid refinements allowed Affinity humans who possessed the symionts to share their thoughts and experiences in a way analogous to telepathy. By 2069 A.D. Chong had managed to graft his Affinity symbiont into human DNA, allowing the facility to be available from birth for future generations.