The Wingfeather Saga begins with On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, which establishes the world and conflict that drive the events of North! Or Be Eaten. The story introduces the Igiby children—Janner, Kalmar (Tink), and Leeli—who live a quiet, humble life in the town of Glipwood with their mother, Nia, and their ex-pirate grandfather, Podo Helmer. Their world is the land of Skree, which has been conquered and occupied by the Fangs of Dang, monstrous lizard-like creatures who serve an evil entity named Gnag the Nameless. The children’s lives are upended when they discover that they are the lost royal heirs of the fallen kingdom of Anniera, a legendary island across the Dark Sea of Darkness. Tink is revealed to be the High King, while Leeli is a musically talented Song Maiden. Janner, the eldest son, is the Throne Warden, and his duty is to protect his younger brother Tink. When the Fangs learn their true identities, the family is forced to flee Glipwood. They are aided by an eccentric local character named Peet the Sock Man, who is eventually revealed to be their mysterious uncle, Artham P. Wingfeather.