The planet Fiix has a climate of bizarre extremes which defies conventional scientific explanation. An expedition from Earth, expecting to find a desert planet, instead finds itself marooned in the middle of a savage winter. The local population, the Sawls, are small and apparently primitive creatures; but while Emil Clausen - mineral company representative in search of profits from the planet's lithium deposits - and planetologist Tay Danforth are missing, presumed dead, after being caught in ferocious floods, other scientists start to learn that the Sawls have a complex and surprisingly advanced culture. In particular, linguist Stavros Ibia begins to identify with the Sawls and determines to protect their planet from commercial exploitation, and to gain an understanding of their theological and historical roots.