The most identifiable precedents are from ancient legend and folklore. Simon Magus, Morgiana, Tao-Lin, and the wolves following in the Queen of Elfland's wake, all appear in Western fantasy lore. Tarr gives them her own spin and interpretation. The elven kingdom and folk, likewise, share the world with humans in many traditional tales.

The theme of persecution based on spurious religious doctrine, as well as the church-centered background, suggests Katherine Kurtz's Deryni novels as an influence. There are many similarities between the two series. There are also many, and interesting, differences. Kurtz is more interested in the intricacies of politics; Tarr in the details of historical events. Deryni have to stay in the ordinary world and work out their differences with humans; they do not have the out of a separate realm or of immortality like Tarr's elves. In both series, consequences flow from the limits...