Pitkhanas was the steward-king of the river-god Tabal for the town of Kussara, town in the early stages of civilization on an unnamed planet. Like the rest of his people, Pitkhanas had direct contact from gods and ancestors; however he tended to hear more from the elite of his people's pantheon. Pitkhanas was present when the "Terrajin" ship William Howells arrived. He was initially wary until ship's captain Katerina Tolmasova demonstrated her flight pack. Pitkhanas's father, Zidantas, warned him that the foreigners had the power to destroy the Kussarans.