 This book focuses on the struggles between the pioneers to establish a new social order now that they have left Basilica. The new society is opposite to that of the previous societies - male dominated instead of female dominated, monogamous and lifelong marriages instead of the yearly contracts of Basilica.
The struggles between the characters ultimately come down to the struggles between Nafai and Elemak, two sons of Volemak. Nafai leads the faction who have faith in the Oversoul, while Elemak leads the faction who want desperately to return to the civilization of doomed Basilica. Both are ostensibly under the leadership of Volemak (and not Rasa, as they had been in the city).
The settlers, after years of traveling, finally arrive in a land lost in ancient times which holds the secret of the Oversoul. Additionally, many children are born, all in their preparation for the ultimate journey to Earth.
The book offers an interesting justification of the social structures of the Hebrew tribes in Genesis, all while the originally powerful female characters gradually succumb to the new hierarchy of "men" and "wives." Only one character - Shedemei, the brilliant geneticist, thinks about this problem.
The focus in on the group dynamics of the new tribe as they journey where the Oversoul guides them.
Prophetic dreams abound, mostly involving giant rats and bats ("diggers" and "angels"). The Oversoul discovers itself.
What role does Shedemei have as the settlers move forward? Who thinks about the problem of hierarchy? After years of traveling the settlers come to a land lost in ancient times that holds what secret? How is new  society opposite to previous society? What does the oversoul discovers? Who is the leader of the settlers? Who are Nafai and Elemak? What is one difference between the new society and the old society? What secret does the land of ancient times hold? What do the people that follow Elemak want to do about social order? What kind of dreams abound? Who are the two sons of Volemak? What was the expectation regarding marriage in the social order at Basilica? In their previous society which sex was dominant? Why are many children born? Which ancient social structures are the new order based on? Nafai's faction has faith in what? Where did the pioneers flee from? Who does nafai lead? What is the name of sons of volemak? Why is the focus on group dynamics?  After the pioneers leave Basilica what is the struggle they face in their new world? Where does this group of settlers eventually hope to arrive? Where did the settlers reach? What does the Oversoul discover? What figures are in the prophetic dreams the characters in the story have? What are diggers and angels? Who leads the group of people who have faith in the Oversoul? Elemak leads the faction that wants what? Who does elemak lead?