The film tells the story of the 16-year-old orphan Nab, who has lived since birth on a huge ship, which is at the same time a factory, a town, and permanent home to several thousand people. For violating the austere rules, Nab is banished and put ashore in the Duluong Islands, a harsh place where winter is hard to survive. The town is called Rosentaal and the plains beyond are full of starved packs of wolves. Nab leaves the ship with a box of locksmith tools, as well as a curious legacy from his father, who was a ventriloquist and variety artist. It is a sarcophagus containing a mysterious living mummy of an Eskimo chief whose future and destiny will become a mission of duty for Nab.