Planet Pao suffers from cultural stagnation. Scientists from the Sundering, another planet, have conceived a ruthless experiment, intending to infuse the population of Pao with new vitality and exploit them through a kind of "shock therapy", dividing the Paons into three specialized castes speaking different languages - warriors, technicians and merchants. But at the heart of the schismatics’ project lies a flaw inherent in their own degenerate culture. Beran Panasper, heir to the throne of the all-powerful Panarch Pao, was kidnapped and taken to the Schism to be groomed as the future satrap of the schismatics on Pao. But Beran is capable of independent thinking, and the combination of his innate paon characteristics with the scientific knowledge acquired at the Sundering leads to the most unexpected result.