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The New Adventures of Thundina Seong! Completed May 4
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<blockquote data-quote="Ealli" data-source="post: 3487222" data-attributes="member: 804"><p><strong>Chapter 14: Ill Met by Moonlight</strong></p><p></p><p>The vestani shook his head, “Madam Eva is not present tonight. From sundown to sunrise, you must hold the vigil. She has instructed us to assist you in any manner. Is there anything we can do before the vigil commences?”</p><p></p><p>Thundina paced through the woods, getting a feel of the surrounding land. Twilight began to darken the forest and Thundina’s eyes began their faint glow as she looked around in the dark. She heard Jessuf from back by the altar, “It’s getting awful dark. Maybe we could light some bonfires to illuminate the area.”</p><p></p><p>Jessuf directed the vestani and their monstrous allies to setting up and lighting five fires, spaced around the clearing which represented the fane. Thundina returned just as the fires were lit. She looked at the spacing and positioning and commented, “That’s a fairly regular pentagram. But shouldn’t the altar be in the middle of the star?”</p><p></p><p>Jessuf looked startled at the implication, “It wasn’t intentional. That’s just what was needed for full coverage.”</p><p></p><p>Cyron <em>Consecrated</em> the altar and settled down to begin his vigil, warning the party to not disturb him under any circumstances. The other party members spread out around the clearing, ready to reinforce the vestani positions wherever trouble began.</p><p></p><p>About an hour into the night the trouble began, but quietly. The first indication that Strahd had begun his assault on the vigil was when Talor suddenly stepped back and drilled an arrow into the back of the vestani nearest him. Thundina and Jessuf hurried over Talor. Thundina attempted to knock Talor’s feet out from beneath him, but due to her cautious approach she wasn’t able to hook her guisarme around his leg. Talor retaliated by firing a volley of arrows back at Thundina, but she anticipated each arrow and was well out of its way. Jessuf laid his hand upon Talor’s head and spoke firmly, “Dol Arrah, <em>Protect from Evil</em> this warrior. Be free of Strahd’s domination.”</p><p></p><p>The frenzy which had gripped Talor passed and he grunted, “Thanks. I can’t believe I attacked the party.”</p><p></p><p>Jessuf shook his head, “Oh, it’s far worse than that. You were utterly pathetic in your attempts.” Jessuf grimly skewered Talor with his halberd, devastating Talor. Talor attempted to retreat and sic his wolf onto Jessuf, but each step drew another hammering blow from the cleric. Once more the party exploded into action, with the ogres joining in the efforts to restrain Jessuf. Each time they tried to grab him to restrain him he would rap them hard and they would give up the attempt. Finally Urik arrived from the far side of the clearing, huffing with the exertion, and laid a firm hand on Jessuf placing upon him a ward <em>Protecting from Evil</em>.</p><p></p><p>Thundina and Romann were standing next to Cyron. Impatient, Thundina grabbed the everburning torch that Cyron usually carried, stuffed it into her belt, and began stalking towards the forest, “Come on Romann. Let’s take the fight to Strahd, wherever in the forest he is. I’m not going to wait around here for him to turn our party against itself one by one.”</p><p></p><p>Romann watched Thundina move towards the forest, delaying his movement, confident that he could catch up. A line of afflicted vestani skulked out of the woods away from the concentrated might of the party. Romann however was able to charge over to the nearest and immediately cut it down. The new vestani allied with Strahd and the vestani loyal to Madam Eva began trading fire. The good vestani, healthy and sheltered by low walls, slowly whittled the ranks of the evil vestani. In addition, each boulder hurled by the hill giant would crush one of the afflicted vestani.</p><p></p><p>A gnomish ranger stepped out of the forest and drilled an arrow into the hill giant. Talor took a small step to give himself a clear line of fire and launched several arrows back. The gnome crumpled immediately, and forgetfully.</p><p></p><p>Romann was about halfway down the line when the one of the killed vestani rose back to its feet with a groan. Most of the party reinforced Romann to deal with the zombie vestani. Thundina would trip a zombie vestani which allowed Romann to deliver powerful, crushing blows to it. Jessuf filled with holy light and turned several of the zombies, causing them to flee into the darkness.</p><p></p><p>With the minor elements all dispersed, a gate of light opened in the middle of the clearing and Strahd stepped through, just outside of the <em>Consecrated</em> circle. A ravening, slathering vampire stepped out of the woods on the far side of the clearing again while a feral looking vampire in hide reinforced the zombie vestani.</p><p></p><p>Romann shouted, “Strahd! I’ve been waiting for you. I swear I will drop you this time!” He rushed back to Cyron and interceded himself between Cyron and Strahd. Thundina took up a position next to Romann forming a wall against Strahd.</p><p></p><p>Jessuf waved them away saying, “I will deal with this one. I feel a weird sort of kinship with him and like it is my responsibility.” Jessuf launched a <em>Searing Light</em> against the vampire.</p><p></p><p>The vampire snarled, “Ah, another delusional hero who thinks he has a chance against Lord Strahd. I have seen despair, I know the darkness that is Ravenloft. You are damned, only death awaits you here.” The vampire looked to the sky and followed with his gaze the descending arc of a lightning bolt onto Jessuf.</p><p></p><p>Jessuf called upon Dol Arrah, “Know the power of the Sun!” A second strike of <em>Searing Light</em> struck the vampire. The light burned the vampire and it screeched and turned into a cloud of gas.</p><p></p><p>Strahd smiled at the cluster of adventurers who had formed a wall in front of him. He threw a <em>Fireball</em> centered on Cyron, blasting those who opposed him. Thundina saw the blossom of fire open in slow motion. She leaned way back, nearly flattening herself to the ground and watched the blaze pass over her. The blast buffeted Romann, the cloak he had taken from the scarlet vampire flapping wildly in the wave of fire.</p><p></p><p>Romann then stepped forward and dealt a pair of devastating blows in quick succession. Thundina moved into a flanking position against Strahd and hooked her guisarme around Strahd but he resisted her attempts at pulling him to the ground. He responded by launching a series of <em>Magic Missiles</em> at each of his attackers.</p><p></p><p>The ravening vampire was running towards Cyron throw a hail of silver arrows from Talor. As it tried to rush past Talor, Talor stepped to the side and back and unleashed another storm of arrows and the vampire stumbled and became a cloud of gas misting past Cyron.</p><p></p><p>The vestani closed in on Strahd, surrounding him. Romann smashed Strahd again and Thundina knocked Strahd to the ground. On her follow-up strike, Strahd caught the silver head of her weapon, unharmed for the rich loamy earth smell. Strahd laughed, “Foolish girl, this is my domain. I grow tired of your insolence.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina smirked, “I can tell you’re tired. You’re laying there on your back.”</p><p></p><p>Strahd considered his options and concluded that practically no action could be safely executed with both Thundina and Romann ready to exploit any weakness. A gate of light opened up around Strahd and pulled him away.</p><p></p><p>Jessuf dispensed healing around for those who had taken <em>Fireball</em> wounds. Then Jessuf and Talor stood around staring at each other, counting down the seconds that Strahd’s domination was hedged out. After a few minutes passed and neither felt the urge to resume attempting to kill the other, the party relaxed.</p><p></p><p>As morning broke over the fane, a rippling wind rustled through the trees and Cyron had a vision of green leaves. The party asked if they could visit Madam Eva now and the vestani escorted the party to where Madam Eva had hidden herself. Thundina thought that the forest seemed brighter, but then she decided that it was probably just because of the sun rising.</p><p></p><p>Madam Eva appeared younger and smaller. She looked up as the party approached, but did not crack a smile. Thundina approached and asked, “Can you tell us the location of the other two fanes? We know their general placements, but Lysaga Hill and Ivlis Marsh both look to be large areas.”</p><p></p><p>Madam Eva shook her head, “No child, I cannot tell you that. There are secrets I may not share. One that I may share is that there is a relic buried under the altar of the fane that you may recover.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina yawned widely, “Sorry, been up all night. I guess we’ll recover that relic, go to bed, and continue wresting the fanes from Strahd’s control, unless you can add anything more…”</p><p></p><p>That evening the party proceeded up to Lysaga Hill on the unanimous agreement that denying Strahd the rich loamy earth would be a major amelioration in the difficulty of striking him. Looking around the ruins of the monastery on Lysaga Hill did not immediately reveal an altar. As Thundina passed near one of the ruined buildings she heard Talor calling to his wolf, “Come along boy, there’s nothing here.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina popped in and saw the wolf digging at the ground. She looked quizzically at Talor who responded, “Found some footprints, but nothing else. My wolf refuses to leave now; I haven’t had enough time to fully train him I guess.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina walked over to the wolf and knelt down to take a good look at where the wolf was digging. “Ah, it’s a smart wolf,” Thundina said and pulled a well concealed handle, opening a door giving entrance to a cavern below.</p><p></p><p>The party climbed down a ladder into the cavern and began exploring. At a ledge leading to a twenty foot drop, the party spotted the altar down the drop. Standing by the altar was a tall woman who cursed at the party, “Who are you? You shouldn’t be here. Get out.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina called back, “Are you Zelenna? I am Thundina and my party and I have come to break Strahd’s connection to this place. Work with us.”</p><p></p><p>The woman shrieked back, “None shall have control of this fane! Leave this place, it is mine.” Four creatures covered in horns loped to join her. A noxious ichor oozed over their black skin. They flexed their hands with long twisted claws and gnashed their razorlike teeth causing clicking and screeching as the claws and teeth scraped against each other.</p><p></p><p>Romann and Jessuf leaped down the drop, crashing horribly to the ground before charging on towards Zelenna. Thundina gracefully hopped down, landing gently, calling out, “Wait for me. Don’t kill her too quickly, I want to actually get a chance to sneak attack something.” Zelenna was dead from Romann’s and Jessuf’s blows before Thundina arrived.</p><p></p><p>The horned creatures and the party formed lines across the cavern to skirmish. The party fairly quickly overwhelmed the creatures from the combination of greater offensive power and access to healing from Cyron behind the lines.</p><p></p><p>“Great, could you guys see about setting up some defenses while I prepare for the vigil?” Thundina asked once the fight ended.</p><p>“When did we decide that you’d be holding the vigil,” Jessuf protested. “And why are you always bossing us about? I’m getting awfully tired of it.”</p><p>“Hey, I didn’t ask to be the leader, it was thrust upon me when Tourg fell in battle. I’m here on a mission and have recruited additional help as it became available.”</p><p>“We should have the one Strahd is least likely to be able to dominate hold the vigil, that would be me.”</p><p>“By what measure?! You’ve been dominated once, I’ve never been dominated. You know, I don’t think he’s capable of it against me.”</p><p></p><p>Talor spoke up out of the blue, “I support Thundina’s position.”</p><p>Jessuf again protested, “It’s not fair. I should be the one to hold the vigil.”</p><p>“Life isn’t always fair,” Thundina said coldly. “Besides, why are we still discussing this?”</p><p></p><p>Cyron intervened, “Maybe I can mediate.” Jessuf nodded and Thundina said exasperatedly, “Ah, Cyron, the voice of reason. Let’s hear it.”</p><p></p><p>Cyron went into a meditative trance and when he came out of it said, “In my heart, I believe the gods will favor us if Thundina holds the vigil.”</p><p></p><p>The party arrayed themselves around the entrance in the best defensive formation they could come up with as Thundina began the vigil over the mountain fane. Thundina sank into a deep trance. Over and over she heard her name being called out, but she attempted to push that to the back of her mind while focusing on the feelings of earth and mountain.</p><p></p><p>A hideous mass of glowing spirits drifted into the cavern by the party’s defensive position. It gibbered and howled unintelligible words which still managed to convey the promise of undying torment and mind-numbing terror. The sheer wrongness of it overwhelmed Jessuf at once and he fell upon his blade rather than look at the hideous creature any longer. Sir Urik charged forward and took a swipe at the creature, his blade passing through its incorporeal body. He wiped at his nose and found his hand completely bloody. Sir Urik collapsed before he could swing again with blood seeping from his nose and the corners of his eyes. Cyron desperately held his holy symbol before him, pulsating with light. The howling spirits closed in on him, passed through and Cyron fell lifeless. Romann and Talor arrived from outposts just in time for a circular blast of bluish energy from the creature to take them both in the chest and they writhed in pain. A second blast and their pain intensified and overwhelmed them. Time seemed to slow as the mass of spirits floated down to Thundina. It whispered “Thundina” in her ears over and over, twisting her name into a mockery. She could feel its hate of the living, and its madness at the sane. It reached out to her to destroy her mind, but Thundina held firm on the vigil.</p><p></p><p>Thundina’s next breath brought the odor of rich loamy earth and a feeling of the land. She realized she was shaking and took a breath to calm down before opening her eyes. Cyron was at her side, staring at her intently, “You’re back, we were worried there for a while.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina gasped and caught sight of Romann behind Cyron, “I saw you die. There was a hideous mass of spirits, it cut right through the party. What’s happening?”</p><p></p><p>Cyron shook his head, “No, it’s been nothing but peaceful all night long. You started shaking and muttering half an hour ago and Jessuf thought he heard voices maybe an hour ago, but otherwise very boring. Perhaps you should tell us more of what you saw.”</p><p></p><p>Thundina shivered at the memories, “No, it was nothing. No, I think … I think we should leave Lysaga Hill and go find that swamp fane. Two down, one to go.”</p><p>-----------------------------</p><p>Chapter 15, which we're hoping will see the final defeat of Strahd, will probably be available in one week, a few days behind the normal schedule.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ealli, post: 3487222, member: 804"] [b]Chapter 14: Ill Met by Moonlight[/b] The vestani shook his head, “Madam Eva is not present tonight. From sundown to sunrise, you must hold the vigil. She has instructed us to assist you in any manner. Is there anything we can do before the vigil commences?” Thundina paced through the woods, getting a feel of the surrounding land. Twilight began to darken the forest and Thundina’s eyes began their faint glow as she looked around in the dark. She heard Jessuf from back by the altar, “It’s getting awful dark. Maybe we could light some bonfires to illuminate the area.” Jessuf directed the vestani and their monstrous allies to setting up and lighting five fires, spaced around the clearing which represented the fane. Thundina returned just as the fires were lit. She looked at the spacing and positioning and commented, “That’s a fairly regular pentagram. But shouldn’t the altar be in the middle of the star?” Jessuf looked startled at the implication, “It wasn’t intentional. That’s just what was needed for full coverage.” Cyron [i]Consecrated[/i] the altar and settled down to begin his vigil, warning the party to not disturb him under any circumstances. The other party members spread out around the clearing, ready to reinforce the vestani positions wherever trouble began. About an hour into the night the trouble began, but quietly. The first indication that Strahd had begun his assault on the vigil was when Talor suddenly stepped back and drilled an arrow into the back of the vestani nearest him. Thundina and Jessuf hurried over Talor. Thundina attempted to knock Talor’s feet out from beneath him, but due to her cautious approach she wasn’t able to hook her guisarme around his leg. Talor retaliated by firing a volley of arrows back at Thundina, but she anticipated each arrow and was well out of its way. Jessuf laid his hand upon Talor’s head and spoke firmly, “Dol Arrah, [i]Protect from Evil[/i] this warrior. Be free of Strahd’s domination.” The frenzy which had gripped Talor passed and he grunted, “Thanks. I can’t believe I attacked the party.” Jessuf shook his head, “Oh, it’s far worse than that. You were utterly pathetic in your attempts.” Jessuf grimly skewered Talor with his halberd, devastating Talor. Talor attempted to retreat and sic his wolf onto Jessuf, but each step drew another hammering blow from the cleric. Once more the party exploded into action, with the ogres joining in the efforts to restrain Jessuf. Each time they tried to grab him to restrain him he would rap them hard and they would give up the attempt. Finally Urik arrived from the far side of the clearing, huffing with the exertion, and laid a firm hand on Jessuf placing upon him a ward [i]Protecting from Evil[/i]. Thundina and Romann were standing next to Cyron. Impatient, Thundina grabbed the everburning torch that Cyron usually carried, stuffed it into her belt, and began stalking towards the forest, “Come on Romann. Let’s take the fight to Strahd, wherever in the forest he is. I’m not going to wait around here for him to turn our party against itself one by one.” Romann watched Thundina move towards the forest, delaying his movement, confident that he could catch up. A line of afflicted vestani skulked out of the woods away from the concentrated might of the party. Romann however was able to charge over to the nearest and immediately cut it down. The new vestani allied with Strahd and the vestani loyal to Madam Eva began trading fire. The good vestani, healthy and sheltered by low walls, slowly whittled the ranks of the evil vestani. In addition, each boulder hurled by the hill giant would crush one of the afflicted vestani. A gnomish ranger stepped out of the forest and drilled an arrow into the hill giant. Talor took a small step to give himself a clear line of fire and launched several arrows back. The gnome crumpled immediately, and forgetfully. Romann was about halfway down the line when the one of the killed vestani rose back to its feet with a groan. Most of the party reinforced Romann to deal with the zombie vestani. Thundina would trip a zombie vestani which allowed Romann to deliver powerful, crushing blows to it. Jessuf filled with holy light and turned several of the zombies, causing them to flee into the darkness. With the minor elements all dispersed, a gate of light opened in the middle of the clearing and Strahd stepped through, just outside of the [i]Consecrated[/i] circle. A ravening, slathering vampire stepped out of the woods on the far side of the clearing again while a feral looking vampire in hide reinforced the zombie vestani. Romann shouted, “Strahd! I’ve been waiting for you. I swear I will drop you this time!” He rushed back to Cyron and interceded himself between Cyron and Strahd. Thundina took up a position next to Romann forming a wall against Strahd. Jessuf waved them away saying, “I will deal with this one. I feel a weird sort of kinship with him and like it is my responsibility.” Jessuf launched a [i]Searing Light[/i] against the vampire. The vampire snarled, “Ah, another delusional hero who thinks he has a chance against Lord Strahd. I have seen despair, I know the darkness that is Ravenloft. You are damned, only death awaits you here.” The vampire looked to the sky and followed with his gaze the descending arc of a lightning bolt onto Jessuf. Jessuf called upon Dol Arrah, “Know the power of the Sun!” A second strike of [i]Searing Light[/i] struck the vampire. The light burned the vampire and it screeched and turned into a cloud of gas. Strahd smiled at the cluster of adventurers who had formed a wall in front of him. He threw a [i]Fireball[/i] centered on Cyron, blasting those who opposed him. Thundina saw the blossom of fire open in slow motion. She leaned way back, nearly flattening herself to the ground and watched the blaze pass over her. The blast buffeted Romann, the cloak he had taken from the scarlet vampire flapping wildly in the wave of fire. Romann then stepped forward and dealt a pair of devastating blows in quick succession. Thundina moved into a flanking position against Strahd and hooked her guisarme around Strahd but he resisted her attempts at pulling him to the ground. He responded by launching a series of [i]Magic Missiles[/i] at each of his attackers. The ravening vampire was running towards Cyron throw a hail of silver arrows from Talor. As it tried to rush past Talor, Talor stepped to the side and back and unleashed another storm of arrows and the vampire stumbled and became a cloud of gas misting past Cyron. The vestani closed in on Strahd, surrounding him. Romann smashed Strahd again and Thundina knocked Strahd to the ground. On her follow-up strike, Strahd caught the silver head of her weapon, unharmed for the rich loamy earth smell. Strahd laughed, “Foolish girl, this is my domain. I grow tired of your insolence.” Thundina smirked, “I can tell you’re tired. You’re laying there on your back.” Strahd considered his options and concluded that practically no action could be safely executed with both Thundina and Romann ready to exploit any weakness. A gate of light opened up around Strahd and pulled him away. Jessuf dispensed healing around for those who had taken [i]Fireball[/i] wounds. Then Jessuf and Talor stood around staring at each other, counting down the seconds that Strahd’s domination was hedged out. After a few minutes passed and neither felt the urge to resume attempting to kill the other, the party relaxed. As morning broke over the fane, a rippling wind rustled through the trees and Cyron had a vision of green leaves. The party asked if they could visit Madam Eva now and the vestani escorted the party to where Madam Eva had hidden herself. Thundina thought that the forest seemed brighter, but then she decided that it was probably just because of the sun rising. Madam Eva appeared younger and smaller. She looked up as the party approached, but did not crack a smile. Thundina approached and asked, “Can you tell us the location of the other two fanes? We know their general placements, but Lysaga Hill and Ivlis Marsh both look to be large areas.” Madam Eva shook her head, “No child, I cannot tell you that. There are secrets I may not share. One that I may share is that there is a relic buried under the altar of the fane that you may recover.” Thundina yawned widely, “Sorry, been up all night. I guess we’ll recover that relic, go to bed, and continue wresting the fanes from Strahd’s control, unless you can add anything more…” That evening the party proceeded up to Lysaga Hill on the unanimous agreement that denying Strahd the rich loamy earth would be a major amelioration in the difficulty of striking him. Looking around the ruins of the monastery on Lysaga Hill did not immediately reveal an altar. As Thundina passed near one of the ruined buildings she heard Talor calling to his wolf, “Come along boy, there’s nothing here.” Thundina popped in and saw the wolf digging at the ground. She looked quizzically at Talor who responded, “Found some footprints, but nothing else. My wolf refuses to leave now; I haven’t had enough time to fully train him I guess.” Thundina walked over to the wolf and knelt down to take a good look at where the wolf was digging. “Ah, it’s a smart wolf,” Thundina said and pulled a well concealed handle, opening a door giving entrance to a cavern below. The party climbed down a ladder into the cavern and began exploring. At a ledge leading to a twenty foot drop, the party spotted the altar down the drop. Standing by the altar was a tall woman who cursed at the party, “Who are you? You shouldn’t be here. Get out.” Thundina called back, “Are you Zelenna? I am Thundina and my party and I have come to break Strahd’s connection to this place. Work with us.” The woman shrieked back, “None shall have control of this fane! Leave this place, it is mine.” Four creatures covered in horns loped to join her. A noxious ichor oozed over their black skin. They flexed their hands with long twisted claws and gnashed their razorlike teeth causing clicking and screeching as the claws and teeth scraped against each other. Romann and Jessuf leaped down the drop, crashing horribly to the ground before charging on towards Zelenna. Thundina gracefully hopped down, landing gently, calling out, “Wait for me. Don’t kill her too quickly, I want to actually get a chance to sneak attack something.” Zelenna was dead from Romann’s and Jessuf’s blows before Thundina arrived. The horned creatures and the party formed lines across the cavern to skirmish. The party fairly quickly overwhelmed the creatures from the combination of greater offensive power and access to healing from Cyron behind the lines. “Great, could you guys see about setting up some defenses while I prepare for the vigil?” Thundina asked once the fight ended. “When did we decide that you’d be holding the vigil,” Jessuf protested. “And why are you always bossing us about? I’m getting awfully tired of it.” “Hey, I didn’t ask to be the leader, it was thrust upon me when Tourg fell in battle. I’m here on a mission and have recruited additional help as it became available.” “We should have the one Strahd is least likely to be able to dominate hold the vigil, that would be me.” “By what measure?! You’ve been dominated once, I’ve never been dominated. You know, I don’t think he’s capable of it against me.” Talor spoke up out of the blue, “I support Thundina’s position.” Jessuf again protested, “It’s not fair. I should be the one to hold the vigil.” “Life isn’t always fair,” Thundina said coldly. “Besides, why are we still discussing this?” Cyron intervened, “Maybe I can mediate.” Jessuf nodded and Thundina said exasperatedly, “Ah, Cyron, the voice of reason. Let’s hear it.” Cyron went into a meditative trance and when he came out of it said, “In my heart, I believe the gods will favor us if Thundina holds the vigil.” The party arrayed themselves around the entrance in the best defensive formation they could come up with as Thundina began the vigil over the mountain fane. Thundina sank into a deep trance. Over and over she heard her name being called out, but she attempted to push that to the back of her mind while focusing on the feelings of earth and mountain. A hideous mass of glowing spirits drifted into the cavern by the party’s defensive position. It gibbered and howled unintelligible words which still managed to convey the promise of undying torment and mind-numbing terror. The sheer wrongness of it overwhelmed Jessuf at once and he fell upon his blade rather than look at the hideous creature any longer. Sir Urik charged forward and took a swipe at the creature, his blade passing through its incorporeal body. He wiped at his nose and found his hand completely bloody. Sir Urik collapsed before he could swing again with blood seeping from his nose and the corners of his eyes. Cyron desperately held his holy symbol before him, pulsating with light. The howling spirits closed in on him, passed through and Cyron fell lifeless. Romann and Talor arrived from outposts just in time for a circular blast of bluish energy from the creature to take them both in the chest and they writhed in pain. A second blast and their pain intensified and overwhelmed them. Time seemed to slow as the mass of spirits floated down to Thundina. It whispered “Thundina” in her ears over and over, twisting her name into a mockery. She could feel its hate of the living, and its madness at the sane. It reached out to her to destroy her mind, but Thundina held firm on the vigil. Thundina’s next breath brought the odor of rich loamy earth and a feeling of the land. She realized she was shaking and took a breath to calm down before opening her eyes. Cyron was at her side, staring at her intently, “You’re back, we were worried there for a while.” Thundina gasped and caught sight of Romann behind Cyron, “I saw you die. There was a hideous mass of spirits, it cut right through the party. What’s happening?” Cyron shook his head, “No, it’s been nothing but peaceful all night long. You started shaking and muttering half an hour ago and Jessuf thought he heard voices maybe an hour ago, but otherwise very boring. Perhaps you should tell us more of what you saw.” Thundina shivered at the memories, “No, it was nothing. No, I think … I think we should leave Lysaga Hill and go find that swamp fane. Two down, one to go.” ----------------------------- Chapter 15, which we're hoping will see the final defeat of Strahd, will probably be available in one week, a few days behind the normal schedule. [/QUOTE]
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The New Adventures of Thundina Seong! Completed May 4
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