Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen

Character Advancement

In this chapter, level advancement is handled as follows:

• The characters start this chapter at 2nd level, having gained a level after the events in x.
• They advance to 3rd level after the x.
• They advance to 4th level at the x, after evacuating Vogler.

The Kingfisher Festival

The characters' visit to Vogler overlaps with the kickoff of the Kingfisher Festival, an annual celebration commemorating Solamnia's victory over the forces of Istar during a clash near the town centuries ago. The festival takes its name from the kingfisher, a symbol of the Knights of Solamnia and a bird the fishers of Vogler consider lucky. Festivities culminate with the locals' reenactment of the Battle of High Hill, a clash between Istarian and Solamnic soldiers.

Locations in Vogler

While in Vogler, the characters might visit any of the locations in this section. These sites are marked on map 3.1.

Meeting Becklin

Becklin is hard to miss, as she's dressed in the full-plate armor and horned helmet of the Knights of Solamnia. Though she's never met the characters before, she recognizes one or more of them from Ispin's descriptions. Becklin introduces herself, offers her condolences, and invites the characters to come with her to the Brass Crab if they aren't already there. She explains that the service is meant to be a celebration of Ispin's life, and people will be encouraged to share over-the-top stories about him—like the inflated tales he was known for sharing.

[image: Becklin Uth Viharin]

Sending Off a Friend

[image: Cudgel Ironsmile and Becklin Uth Viharin send off their friend Ispin Greenshield]

The funeral takes place at dusk on the stage and dock extending from the rear of the Brass Crab. Becklin encourages the characters to linger near the dock, while many mourning locals in small fishing craft assemble in the nearby water. When you're ready for the funeral to begin, Becklin takes the stage next to a simple boat, within which rests the body of Ispin Greenshield. Read or paraphrase the following:

With that, the boat bearing Ispin's body drifts down the river and eventually out of sight. After a moment of silence, Becklin invites all assembled into the Brass Crab for a reception and opportunity to share stories about the departed.

Tales Remembered

The funeral reception is a simple but crowded affair. Yalme, the Brass Crab's proprietor, keeps bread, cheese, and local ale coming for the dozens of attendees. Practically everyone in the village makes an appearance at the reception, and the characters can find anyone they've already met in the village with whom they might want to talk.

Soon after the reception begins, Becklin calls for everyone's attention and shares one of Ispin's favorite stories: the tale of the time the High Sub-Senior Artillerist of Mount Nevermind launched her pet weasel all the way from the gnome enclave to Sancrist Island, then hired Ispin to recover the critter—or, at least, to note its trajectory. Becklin tells several other charming stories about Ispin, then invites attendees to share other tales Ispin might have told them.

Characters are invited to participate in this comic tale telling. They're welcome to improvise their own tales about Ispin, taking cues from what they know about their relationship with the adventurer (as determined in x). The crowd nods along to nearly any tale a character tells, whether hearing it for the first or the thousandth time. If you or a player wants a story prompt, roll on or choose an option from the Ispin's Stories table. Award inspiration to characters who tell a particularly creative or touching story.

Heckler

During the storytelling, after one or two characters or others have told tales, a finely dressed local named Bakaris the Younger lets out an exaggerated yawn. If left to continue, he eventually blurts out, "We've heard this a thousand times!" or "You're telling it worse than he did!" Bakaris cares nothing for Ispin's death or the locals' mourning—he's only here for the free ale, which he claims is the worst he's ever tasted. The other mourners grumble, but nobody directly confronts the heckler.

[image: Bakaris the Younger]

Meeting Cudgel

During the funeral reception, Ridomir "Cudgel" Ironsmile jovially introduces herself to the characters as an old friend of Ispin Greenshield and the leader of the Ironclad Regiment—mercenaries currently camped outside Vogler. Cudgel asks the characters how they knew Ispin and where they traveled from. She talks openly about herself and her plans to participate in tomorrow's reenactment of the Battle of High Hill. Cudgel has no agenda other than to chitchat with out-of-town guests, as they likely have more in common with her than the local fishers. Early in the evening, Cudgel excuses herself to check on her company at the x (detailed in the "x" section).

Mysterious Mourner

A particularly somber guest—a blue-skinned Silvanesti elf named Leedara—keeps to the fringes of the reception. No one in town knows anything about her except her name, that she arrived a day before the characters, and that she claims to be a performer who knew Ispin. Characters who approach Leedara find her politely aloof and evasive about how she knew Ispin—yet she expresses sympathy for the characters, claiming she's lost many loved ones in her long life. A character can convince Leedara to perform by succeeding on a DC 16 Charisma (Persuasion) check, in which case she sings a heartbreakingly beautiful Silvanesti song in Elvish. Soon after, Leedara leaves the reception, retiring to her room in the inn.

Leedara has a role to play later in the adventure (see x and x). Use this scene to introduce this mysterious character, but don't reveal anything of her agenda (detailed below).

After the Funeral

After each character who wants to has shared a story or mingled with the locals, the reception winds down. Before the characters retire for the evening, Becklin approaches, thanks them for coming, and says she has something Ispin left for them. She won't say what it is but asks the characters to call on her at Thornwall Keep in the morning.

Meeting Darrett

As the characters head across town toward Thornwall Keep, they meet Becklin's squire, Darrett Highwater, along the way. Read or paraphrase the following:

Darrett Highwater is Becklin's pupil, though Becklin would refers to him privately as her squire. As much as Darrett respects Becklin and hopes to one day become a true Knight of Solamnia, he knows the people of Vogler frown on the knighthood and would see his aspirations as naive fantasies.

Becklin sent Darrett to fetch baked hand pies from the Fishbowl for the two of them and their guests. He encourages the characters to come with him on his errand. Darrett gets few opportunities to speak with travelers and is eager to do so, but he doesn't press if the characters want to go straight to Thornwall Keep.

If the characters join him on the short walk, Darrett tells them he grew up in Vogler. He peppers the characters with questions about themselves, their travels, their weapons, and anything else about the world beyond Vogler. He knows all about the Kingfisher Festival and shares the following details:

[image: Darrett Highwater]

• The annual festival celebrates the victory of a Knight of Solamnia, Lord Decater Vogler, over the forces of the Empire of Istar. This battle occurred hundreds of years ago, long before the Cataclysm, and sparked the village's founding.
• Today's festivities include music, food, and games associated with the town's founding.
• Mercenaries of the Ironclad Regiment—Cudgel Ironsmile's band—are training Vogler's small militia. They're also participating in a reenactment of the Battle of High Hill this afternoon.

Once Darrett stops at the Fishbowl and purchases hand pies for everyone, he leads the characters to Thornwall Keep.

Thornwall Keep

Though it's no longer a working fortress, Thornwall Keep remains a sturdy structure and an emblem of Vogler's past. As the characters arrive, Becklin meets them at the door in a simple shirt and breeches, welcoming them inside to her first-floor library.

If Darrett is with the characters, he distributes the hand pies he bought for breakfast. If he's not, he arrives soon after the characters and does the same. Becklin readily makes small talk about the keep, the excavations she's conducting on the grounds, and the device on the roof—all detailed in the "x" section.

Festivities

[image: The people of Vogler celebrate during the Kingfisher Festival]

Traditional Kingfisher Festival events commemorate Vogler's founding and history. Characters might participate in an annual competition, the season's inaugural fish catch, where fishers try to catch the biggest fish during a set period. Darrett and other friendly locals encourage the characters to participate.

Characters can also carouse in the village circle, volunteer to perform on the festival stage, or socialize with locals. Any villager from the "x" section might interact with the characters at the festival.

Whenever you please, transition to the "x" section.

Behind the Battle

This year's reenactment is a little different than in past years. Should the characters chat with Darrett or other locals during the walk to High Hill, they learn the following information:

• This mock battle reenacts the Knights of Solamnia's ancient victory over enemy forces from the eastern nation of Istar. The battle was led by Lord Vogler, a noble knight and the village's founder.
• This year, Mayor Raven arranged for a friend of the town, the mercenary leader Cudgel Ironsmile, to participate. Cudgel's Ironclad Regiment is playing the part of the invading Istarian forces. The mayor claims it's a happy coincidence Cudgel's band was in the area during the event.
• Mayor Raven has given the village's militia a lot of attention recently. Some villagers think she hired Cudgel to visit Vogler and help with this event—possibly because of vague rumors of war in the east. With trained mercenaries on the opposing side, this year's reenactment could be more of a challenge for the militia than in past years.

Betrayal

Unbeknownst to anyone in the village, Cudgel's lieutenant in the Ironclad Regiment—Gragonis (neutral evil half-ogre) has betrayed his leader. He has paid off many of the mercenaries under his command, and with the exception of Cudgel and a few mercenaries who aren't attending the reenactment, the entire company secretly plans to attack lethally during the mock battle

Agents of the Red Dragon Army—part of the greater army waging war in eastern Ansalon—hatched this plan when they learned the mercenaries would join in the mock battle. The commanders of the Red Dragon Army bought Gragonis's loyalty, and they seek to take Vogler quickly as part of a greater scheme.

A contingent of the Red Dragon Army slipped into the lands near Vogler and crossed the Vingaard River in recent days. The draconians the characters might have encountered in x were part of this force. If Vogler can be taken by the traitorous members of the Ironclad Regiment, all the better. If it can't, the Dragon Army plans to bring its own devastating forces to bear.

Preparing for Battle

When the characters and people of Vogler arrive at High Hill, read the following description:

The parade follows a trail to the top of the hill, where Mayor Raven and Cudgel Ironsmile meet and discuss final preparations for the event. Soon, reenactment participants and spectators break up, with the former taking up wooden weapons while the latter settle down to watch the reenactment.

Encourage all characters to participate in the reenactment, if for no other reason than to honor Ispin Greenshield's last wishes. If a character refuses, Mayor Raven offers to pay them 5 gp to be a judge during the battle, making sure no one uses real weapons and calling for aid if someone gets hurt.

To prepare for the battle, Mayor Raven calls out to those assembled, explaining the mercenaries will charge up the west side of the hill while the militia and other participants charge down. The two groups will clash midway in a mock fight, with the mercenaries' Istarian forces eventually retreating. Participants are encouraged to use their own armor but are given wooden spears with padded tips to prevent them from dealing damage. The mayor reminds everyone not to use real weapons during the reenactment so nobody gets hurt.

Mercenaries of the Ironclad Regiment use the guard stat block. Members of the Vogler militia also use the guard stat block, but their spears are padded and deal no damage.

Battle Begins

When the characters are ready, Darrett or a militia member guides them into line with the other Vogler troops. Read the following description:

As the two groups charge, have each character make a Wisdom (Perception) check. The character who rolls the highest notices the sun glinting off the mercenaries' spear tips and their half-ogre leader gesturing with a steel axe. Regardless of how the characters react to this, it's too late to stop the attack. The mounted mercenaries lead their forces in a charge up the hill. When they clash with the militia members, an actual battle begins.

Battle of High Hill

The characters find themselves in the middle of a battlefield. Map 3.2 depicts the characters' location during the conflict; they start the battle adjacent to the log at the north of the map. The "x" and "x" sections note elements of this battle.

The characters have little opportunity to aid the villagers being attacked as three hostile mercenary guards, each mounted on a warhorse, appear on the road at the southwest edge of the battlefield and focus their attacks on the characters.

If Darrett or another well-liked NPC accompanied the characters to the hill, they may be wounded during combat but should survive the battle. Other spectators, like Mayor Raven and Cudgel, are far enough away that they won't reach the battlefield until after the fight ends.

After these mercenaries are defeated, proceed with the "x" encounter.

Aftermath

After Gragonis and his four guards are defeated, the remaining mercenaries scatter and the battlefield encounter ends.

The mercenaries' retreat is further motivated by the arrival of their horrified commander, Cudgel Ironsmile, along with Mayor Raven, Becklin, and several burly spectators. The group has already seen some fighting, as treacherous mercenaries tried and failed to kill Cudgel at Gragonis's orders.

Anyone who accompanied the characters to the hill, like Darrett, also survived the battle, but almost all of Vogler's militia was wiped out.

If all the characters are defeated, Darrett or other surviving members of Vogler's militia drag them from danger and revive them. The characters awaken outside of battle with 1 hit point each just as Cudgel, Becklin, and Raven arrive.

Response

Mayor Raven thanks the characters for defending her people, fearing things would have gone far worse if they hadn't. She promises to reward the characters, but at the moment, she's focused on treating the wounded and getting everyone back to Vogler safely.

Character Advancement

The characters advance to 3rd level after the battle at High Hill.

Mercenary Interrogation

Unless the characters previously spared the life of a specific mercenary (such as Gragonis), the mercenary captured during the Battle of High Hill is a low-ranking guard of the Ironclad Regiment named Svilnt Sunderlit.

Mayor Raven gives Cudgel and the characters leeway in conducting the interrogation. Raven doesn't oppose the use of coercive magic, but she refuses to let anyone harm the captive. Cudgel initially tries to lead the interrogation, but she struggles to contain her anger at her betrayal. She soon retreats to watch from a distance as the characters lead things—though she occasionally interjects at particularly angering news.

The captive mercenary is brought in with their chest and arms bound by a fishing net. At first, the mercenary only mocks the characters and refuses to reveal anything but their name. By coercing the captive through roleplaying or by succeeding on a DC 12 Charisma (Intimidation or Persuasion) check, the characters learn the following information:

• Gragonis planned to kill Cudgel and take control of the Ironclad Regiment.
• Several days ago, Gragonis headed into the woods west of the mercenary camp, then returned with a considerable amount of gold.
• Afterward, Gragonis hired his most loyal mercenaries to attack the Vogler militia during the reenactment. He planned to then raid Vogler.
• The mercenary doesn't know who gave Gragonis the gold he used to pay off the mercenaries.
• A few mercenaries remained at their camp, including Jeyev, Cudgel's other lieutenant. The mercenary thinks the others at the camp are loyal to Cudgel—the ones Gragonis paid accompanied him to the reenactment.

If Gragonis is the mercenary being interrogated, he claims not to know who his benefactor was, other than they were hooded and wore black and red armor.

A Tense Evening

When the characters are done questioning the mercenary, the captive is placed under guard in a nearby shed. Cudgel heads out soon after, intent on verifying the mercenary's story at her camp. She promises to return by the following dawn. The "x" section details what Cudgel learns.

Mayor Raven is eager to learn more about Gragonis's meeting in the woods west of town, despite not wanting anyone else to leave the village. She plans to send out local hunters in the morning, but she responds with gratitude if the characters offer to investigate the woods instead. Raven offers to send Darrett with them as a guide—a task he eagerly agrees to.

Camp Reconnaissance

When the characters or other scouts return to Vogler, they're directed to report to Mayor Raven, who has been at the Brass Crab with Becklin and other concerned villagers all night. Raven is shocked by the report about the enemy camp. She wants to know more about the nature and disposition of this force, and she's aware Vogler can't defend itself against anything more than a few raiders. She's eager to hear advice from the characters and others about how to address this potential threat.

At the outset, Raven is inclined to draft a letter to the commander of the camp to declare Vogler's neutrality in all conflicts, ask the mysterious army's intentions, and welcome them to meet with the mayor. But before the mayor can develop a plan further, Cudgel returns.

Cudgel's Report

Cudgel Ironsmile returns to Vogler accompanied by the lieutenant of her scouts, the human Jeyev Veldrews. Cudgel shares the following information:

• She believes Jeyev and her remaining troops are loyal to her—they could have easily overpowered her if they weren't.
• On her return, Cudgel found Jeyev and other loyal mercenaries had heard of the events at High Hill. They had restrained several soldiers loyal to Gragonis but who didn't have orders to participate in the reenactment.
• During the night, Jeyev's scouts came across a large military force to the northwest of the village, much too large and organized to be a mere mercenary band. This is the same army the characters likely spotted, and Jeyev's scouts can confirm everything from the "x" section.

[image: Jeyev Veldrews]

Vogler's Response

Allow the characters, in consultation with the village leaders, to determine how Vogler should respond to the mysterious army. Becklin, Cudgel, and Raven take the following positions:

• Becklin Uth Viharin. The knight is deeply concerned. She's heard rumors of strange armies in the east, and now there's a strange army close to her home. As the most experienced military leader in the room, she expects the worst, but she's trying not to panic anyone.
• Cudgel Ironsmile. Cudgel feels responsible for everything at High Hill. She gives the village the complete support of the Ironclad Regiment. She favors a peaceful response to the mysterious army, but one backed by her mercenaries' spears.
• Mayor Raven Uth Vogler. The mayor will do anything to keep her people safe. However, she wants more information before acting.

To further complicate the situation, Lord Bakaris joins the group mid-conversation, insulted that he hasn't been involved in what are clearly important discussions. However, he has no idea what the discussions are about. Bakaris cares nothing for the safety of the village, but he posits ideas that make him look important without requiring any actual effort.

Allow the characters to guide the decision of Vogler's leaders, who will largely support any plan that doesn't involve a preemptive strike or bringing battle into the village.

Voice of War

However the characters choose to respond to the army near Vogler, their plans are derailed by unexpected visitors. As the characters prepare, a messenger in black-and-red armor arrives at the River Gate. Villagers are the first to spot the messenger, and they alert the mayor and the characters.

When Mayor Raven and the characters arrive at the River Gate, read the following text:

This Dragon Army soldier (see appendix B) astride a warhorse is a messenger from the Red Dragon Army. If a character doesn't speak up first, Raven steps forward and takes the messenger's letter. The message reads as follows:

Characters proficient in Religion recognize the name Takhisis as one of the gods of Krynn. A cleric of Takhisis or a character who succeeds on a DC 12 Intelligence (Religion) check recognizes a spiral symbol on the messenger's armor as a symbol of Takhisis, the greatest of the evil gods, who is also known as the Dragon Queen. This same symbol appears on all Dragon Army armor.

The messenger demands the village prepare to be occupied by Dragon Army troops that evening. In the meantime, nobody can leave the village. If the characters press the messenger for more information, she provides none. If threatened, the soldier holds her ground and gives a signal. Atop the 30-foot-tall cliffs to the east of the gate, four Dragon Army soldiers appear (see appendix B). They use their javelins to attack anyone who threatens the messenger or who tries to leave the village.

Mayor Raven seeks to avoid bloodshed and encourages the characters to withdraw.

Resistance

The appearance of the Red Dragon Army soldiers answers many questions about the force near Vogler. Back at the Brass Crab, Mayor Raven consults with the characters, Becklin, and Cudgel. Raven sees no other option than to do as the message demands and welcome the Dragon Army. Becklin and Cudgel immediately oppose this, having witnessed the horrors of occupying forces.

Let the characters propose plans to keep the Dragon Army at bay. If they don't suggest using the Ironclad Regiment to defend the town, Cudgel suggests it. As the mercenaries are camped north of the village, bringing them to Vogler without alerting the Dragon Army likely requires getting rid of the Dragon Army soldiers at the gate—a challenge while the soldiers hold the upper ground.

If the characters wish to sneak up on the Dragon Army soldiers, they have two options, both described in the sections that follow.

Dealing with the Soldiers

If the characters confront the Dragon Army soldiers on the cliffs, the messenger attempts to retreat to the Dragon Army camp on her warhorse rather than aiding her allies. With the Dragon Army soldiers gone, Cudgel is eager to ride out to meet her mercenaries. She plans to bring them back to a defensible position just north of the village. If the characters don't attack the Dragon Army soldiers on the cliffs, skip to the "Preparing for the Worst" section.

Preparing for the Worst

Whether the characters drive off the Dragon Army soldiers or make other plans within town, Mayor Raven eventually seeks the characters' council in determining how best to protect the villagers. During this conversation, Becklin, Cudgel, and Raven take the following positions:

• Becklin Uth Viharin. Becklin has grown quiet. She wants to speak privately to the characters and Darrett after they've conferred with Mayor Raven and Cudgel (see the "x" section).
• Cudgel Ironsmile. Cudgel wants only to get her troops and bring them back to Vogler. Even if they're outnumbered, fighting is the only option in her mind.
• Mayor Raven Uth Vogler. If the characters attacked the Dragon Army soldiers, Mayor Raven is grappling with the fact they just started a war. Otherwise, she's frustrated by the situation and seeks advice on how to protect her people by nightfall. She refuses any suggestion involving fighting in the village.

If the characters suggest they prepare to evacuate Vogler, the mayor initially dismisses the idea, but a character who succeeds on a DC 12 Charisma (Persuasion) check convinces her it's in the village's best interest. Becklin agrees and shares the information in the "Becklin's Fear" section. The mayor doesn't like it but grudgingly accepts it's the only option.

If not deterred, Cudgel and Jeyev either ride or sneak out of Vogler to rally their mercenaries.

Planning to Evacuate

Once the village leaders agree to prepare for evacuation, the people of Vogler have much to do. Becklin focuses on getting information about the Red Dragon Army and shoring up local defenses. Mayor Raven asks for the characters' and Darrett's help organizing the evacuation, tasking them with the following:

• Help her inform the villagers of the situation by collecting everyone in the village circle.
• Assess how many ships the village has and roughly how many villagers they can carry.
• Instruct the villagers how to get to safety.
• Keep the villagers calm.

Mayor Raven and Darrett cooperate with any plans the characters have, as long as they clearly help prepare for escape and don't risk any villagers' lives. However, the mayor doesn't want to start the evacuation until absolutely necessary, allowing villagers time to prepare and safely evacuate together.

The Enemy Sighted

After Cudgel has returned and the characters have organized Vogler's evacuation, a local farmer rides into the village circle. The farmer reports seeing hundreds of soldiers on the road, headed toward Vogler. The adventure unfolds in one of two ways from here:

• With Mass Combat. If you are using the Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn game along with this adventure, consult the "Warriors of Krynn: Scenario 1" sidebar.
• Without Mass Combat. If you aren't using the Dragonlance: Warriors of Krynn game, continue with the "Invasion of Vogler" section.

News from the Front

When you're ready to begin this section, give the characters a reason to be near the River Gate, such as fetching Becklin's box from Thornwall Keep or looking for a lost villager. When the characters are within earshot, read the following:

The rider is a scout sent by Becklin to alert Vogler to evacuate immediately. When the characters arrive, the rider's horse is dead and she is locked in battle with her attacker, a baaz draconian (see appendix B). The draconian kills her if the characters don't intercede.

If the characters save the rider, she announces that an attack is imminent—the Dragon Army has split into two prongs. One went to engage the mercenaries, while the second is headed to the village.

Perilous Evacuation

It's up to the characters to decide how to handle the incoming invasion. Unless the characters made other plans, Mayor Raven and Darrett are at the village's wharf with most of the villagers. After learning the scout's news, Mayor Raven orders the evacuation to begin. Read the following description:

As invaders sweep over the cliff into Vogler, Darrett draws his sword and asks the characters to help him defend the escaping villagers.

Invasion Encounters

Vogler is swiftly overwhelmed by Dragon Army draconians. Roll on or choose encounters from the Vogler Invasion Encounters table. Set these encounters anywhere in the village you wish.

After the second encounter, the characters hear loud clanking sounds from the north—something large and metal is moving toward them. This is the boilerdrak they'll encounter in the "Escape from Vogler" section. Before the characters can investigate the noise, a third encounter distracts them.

When you've run at least three of these encounters, proceed with the "x" section.

Escape from Vogler

When you're ready to bring the invasion of Vogler to its climax, proceed with this encounter. No matter where the characters are in the village, screams ring out from the wharf. When the characters draw close, read the following:

Despite its appearance, the thing nearing Vogler's wharf isn't a dragon—it's a boilerdrak, a gnomish siege engine invented for the Red Dragon Army (see appendix A). The boilerdrak is crewed by four baaz draconians (see appendix B).

This battle takes place in front of Vogler's wharf, depicted on map 3.3. The "x" and "x" sections detail elements of this battle. The boilerdrak is positioned on the scorched ground. The characters start the battle anywhere on the wharf.

On the first round of battle, three draconians use their actions to load, aim, and fire the boilerdrak at the Wharfinger's Office—the structure at the north of the map. The building rapidly catches fire.

Characters who succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom (Perception) check or who come within 5 feet of the boilerdrak recognize it isn't a dragon, but a mechanical device.

After the baaz draconians are defeated, proceed with the "x" encounter.

The Final Boat

Most of the draconians remaining in Vogler focus on looting the village, giving the villagers enough time to evacuate. At the end of the pier, only Mayor Raven, Darrett, and a few others have yet to board a boat. The remaining boats have enough space for them and the characters.

Before the characters head to their boats, read the following text:

Characters recognize this man as Jeyev Veldrews, Cudgel's lieutenant. He says he's been sent by Becklin to pass on the following information:

• The battle with the Red Dragon Army went poorly, but a few of the Ironclad Regiment escaped.
• Becklin sent him to help everyone in the village safely evacuate and to ensure nobody waited for her and the mercenaries.
• More Dragon Army forces are on his heels, and the villagers have to flee now.

A character who looks at the helmet he carries recognizes it's the helmet of a Knight of Solamnia. Jeyev won't say more until they've boarded the ship. See the "x" section for more details.

Next Steps

As the Vingaard River carries the flotilla of boats from Vogler toward Kalaman, a journey that takes most of the night, the characters advance to 4th level. After the horrors the villagers have faced, everyone is relieved their journey downriver is uneventful. Chapter 4 begins with the refugees' arrival outside Kalaman.