In the vast reaches of the universe, an imbalance threatens the very fabric of existence. While some planets teem with water, countless others are parched and desolate. Enter the Conglomerate, a powerful entity which plans to siphon water from the giant submerged planet of Pord and distribute it across the cosmos, saving trillions of lives in the process. But this ambitious endeavor comes at a terrible cost-Pord, its people, and its extraordinary ecosystem face certain extinction.
On Pord, a diverse population grapples with the arrival of the Conglomerate. Some embrace the promised luxury and power, blind to the irreplaceable loss of their home. Others resist, valuing the uniqueness and beauty of Pord above all else.
Within Pord lies a rich ecosystem. Enormous jellyfish, city-sized, generate the planet's waves and are venerated in the central religion known as The Way. Mysterious creatures called squad, potentially more intelligent than humans, etch writing-like marks into stone spires. And in the lowwaters, gilled rats scurry about.
Within Pord's populace, factions with ancient histories vie for dominance. The Stone Stewards, Planulists, Meduzemen, and Rimen each possess their own distinct way of life, their alliances and enmities in constant flux. But now, the Conglomerate's arrival disrupts their delicate balance.
Valuka, the Conglomerate's cold and calculating primary representative, seeks to restore equilibrium to the universe, regardless of Pord's tragic fate.
Dunite, Pord's ambassador to the Conglomerate, is driven solely by self-interest. A banker by trade, he wields deceptive power and influence, his vaults empty despite appearances.
Nephelenite, a diplomat, owes his life to his faction's people. His mission is to preserve peace, even as his own brethren clamor for power and wealth.
Amidst this turmoil, Ura, a young woman of unexpected influence, emerges as the story's heroine. Thrust into positions of power, she uncovers the planet's profound secrets and prepares to defend it against the Conglomerate's relentless onslaught.
Pord delves into the complexities of culture, entanglement, spirituality, and ecosystems. Taking and Giving, and the Many and the One are central themes within the book. It weaves a tale of the struggle between serving the greater good and enduring the consequences of forces beyond one's control.