Nearly two thousand years ago on a South Pacific island, the new mayor desired an amicable relationship with the bush natives. Through a three-dimensional board game called Retsel, he and the natives eventually learned to resolve their differences. At the turn of the present century, scientists at Sci Tech University discover an ancient civilization buried at the foothills of the Kitabian Mountains. Sci Tech's monumental discovery does not help the already strained relations between their university and Libertarian University. As a result, the competing chancellors of both universities decide to settle their dispute with a Retsel match, as they had done on many past occasions. As Chaych, the master strategist favored to win suddenly experiences a catastrophic event, the Kitabian government collapses and Maklober, the star detective of Wellen, embarks on a mission to discover the cause of both conditions.
Maklober suspects that an elusive criminal is behind the collapse and is joined by Dr. Gehirn in his journey through the Kitab. Together, they navigate the rough terrain, keeping one step ahead of the Mahlpatrol. But the Tieren society poses a threat and major obstacles for the two men who have no idea what they are about to encounter.