Some 35,000 years after the development of the modern hominid brain, hominids had come to inhabit all of the continents of the world. Agriculture was very highly developed, but only the most basic systems of writing were in use. Political power extended no farther than the immediate fields surrounding the cities in which the government was centered.

An unusual mutation occured in the people living along the Ganges River, enabling their flesh to be a powerful alterer of consciousness when consumed. These people came to be known as the Shashi. People who ate the mana of the Shashi realized that not only could they visit an esoteric plane, but they and others could revisit the same places, realities, and forces.

Generation after generation the mana became more desired. People could enter the esoteric plane, and with very little training could communicate with others. In many societies saints who had mastered the vagaries of this interface with the esoteric became reknowned for their psychic abilities. This periphery was a dangerous wilderness, and most voyagers into this realm had to venture with trepidation. The great knowledge of the Passions could be found, but often at too great a price.

Deep in the heart of this realm, humanity encountered animal minds. The animals made it clear that humans were not to domesticate animals, but some day humans would be allowed to create their own life, and could do with this life as they pleased.