In the far off land of Gheisra there lies the plain of Nali. For one
hundred miles in each direction it spreads, featureless and flat, no
vegetation, no habitation; except, at its very centre, a pavement of
25 tiles of stone, each perfectly level with the others and with the
surrounding land.
The origins of this pavement are unknown - whether it was set there
by some ancient race for its own purposes, or whether it was there from
the beginning of the world.
Rain falls but rarely on that barren plain, but when clouds are seen
gathering over the plain of Nali, the monks of Gheisra journey on pilgrimage
to this shrine of the ancients, to watch for the patterns of the raindrops
on the tiles. Oftentimes the rain falls by chance, but sometimes the
raindrops form patterns, giving omens of events afar off.
Some of the patterns recorded by the monks are shown below. Which
are mere chance and which foretell great omens?
