A wet-behind-the-ears poodle officer named Eustace Kah Leftomanus takes command of a small party to go into the ruins of the palace of the Priest- King, including a Naga named Raysse, and two cheetahs – a male named Haji, and a kit named Kaela. The interior of the ruin keeps getting stranger, and the poodle's greed is put on display. As they reach the central-most chamber, they face a powerful and unearthly force that inhabits this twisted structure, and get a few hints at a horrible history behind the City of Hands