The planet Zalan, that lies far beyond the brim of known space, has but one detriment to its unprecedented beauty and wonders. This is the shockingly unpredictable, raging-red lightning storms that spawn the murderous fiery bolt able to fell any unprotected man, beast, or unprotected home. It is on a certain night of such a storm that a stranger arrives at the Tavern on the Hill in part of the old world sector of Zalan. A sinister, deadly, fascinating stranger of his own unnerving aspect, who rashly mocks the screaming bolt and wakes old, primeval superstitions, fears and new nameless dreads in the locals gathered at the hearth. He also holds a special thrall for the lovely, gentle, innocent daughter of the innkeeper, luring her along dark, forbidden paths to exquisitely evil, unhallowed places of beguiling dreams deviously entwined with nightmares, where she is to be terribly transformed with a shaping unimaginable fate for her, her loved ones and eventually the entire planet