Downward to the Earth

About “Downward to the Earth”

Belzagor was a planet known for its extreme environments, from the foggy Mist Country to the dense, fertile jungles. Once part of Earth's empire, it was home to two intelligent species, the Nildoror and the Sulidoror, who gained independence. Edmund Gundersen, a former colonial official, returned to Belzagor after eight years. He claimed to be a tourist but sought redemption for past actions against the native species. The Nildoror were large, elephant-like beings, while the Sulidoror were strong, hair-covered bipeds with sharp claws. Gundersen struggled to accept their independence and the mysterious ceremony of rebirth that connected them. He had once forced Nildoror into labor, causing them to miss their rebirth. To atone, he planned to enter the Mist Country and offer himself for rebirth, even if it meant losing his human life. This is a 1970 novel by Robert Silverberg.