Tormented by nightmares of Majipur hit by storms and earthquakes, Lord Valentine believes these are signs of war between his people and the metamorphs the shape-shifting ones who once ruled the planet. For centuries, they have been plotting to reclaim their stolen planet. Ever since Valentine came to power, the policy of concord and reconciliation has caused many courtiers to question his true motives and loyalty and allowed them to remove the lord from leadership duties by electing him to a higher and more ceremonial post of pontiff. But if Valentine accepts the mantle of the pontiff and cedes his post to a future successor, he will be remembered as a leader who evaded his duties and destroyed the world that had reigned for eight thousand years.