A half-foot woman, Talavar, and her research assistant the Lepulin, Cedric is sent on a mission to discover and explore other planes of existence. They find a Pieceleon man named Captain Marcello and he raggedy crew of privateers for hire. The perfect bodyguard for their exploration. Or at least some within their budget. With no one believing in their cause funds are low but the promise of future riches is enough to get the crew of the Snapdragon Galley on board.