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Music by Kevin MacLeod.
Token art by Demnix.
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Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen is published by Wizards of the Coast, and set in the world of Krynn.

Session 3

Starring
Cere, level 3 dwarf Cleric of the Light Domain
Elyas, level 3 human Diviner Wizard
Korl, level 3 dwarf Bard College of Dance
Py, level 3 gnome Ranger Hunter
Rickard, level 3 human Fighter/Wizard

The party has little time to process the encamped army in the distance, as a patrol of soldiers sets upon them. Two humans are clad in ominous red and black armor. When they draw their swords, they mutter a prayer to Takhisis, and the swords erupt in flame.

The other four are terrifying, reptilian creatures with thick, man-sized bodies and heads that look like mini-dragons! Out of their backs sprout small wings, and they charge with a growl.

Jeyev curses at their luck and starts flinging daggers. The enemies quickly close the distance, forcing the party to defend at close range.

Thankfully, Py and Rickard are both sturdy warriors, deflecting numerous blows. Rickard shows off his recent arcane skills by infusing his weapon with true strike, clashing with the fiery swords of the enemy.

Cere calls out to Reorx, and the party is blessed. But she’s quickly attacked, and loses concentration. She uses her warding flare to deflect the worst hits, but the soldiers call out to target these strange spellcasters.

Korl uses his divine powers in a more subtle manner, inspiring his allies and attacking his enemies with flurries of punches and kicks in the same breath.

When a nasty critical hit nearly brings Rickard down, Cere mutters a prayer, giving him additional defenses.

Elyas blasts the enemy with ray of frost, before coming up behind one of them and detonating their head with a point-blank volley of magic missiles!

One of the draconians grabs Py and drags him toward the nearby cliff. Korl attacks the weekend creature, but in its death throes it hardens into stone, and releases a strange gas. Both heroes avoid inhaling, but the other draconians begin to harden as they fall, and Cere begins choking, then losing feeling in her limbs!

Just as the last soldier falls, the dwarf cleric turns to stone.

The party starts to panic. They need to get out of here before more patrols show up. They hastily begin constructing a sled to drag the dwarf statue. Just as they start to move, her, cracks being to appear, and Cere’s stony shell breaks apart. Thankfully, the petrifying effects are only temporary.

The group high-tails it back to Vogler, while Jeyev returns to the merc camp to bring the few remaining mercenaries who weren’t allied with Gragonis.

Back at town, the party reports their startling find to Becklin, Cudgel, and the Mayor.

Mayor Raven suggests drafting a letter, asking for intent and stating Vogler’s neutrality. Cudgel and Becklin see this army as an immediate threat, and worry about the town’s safety.

Lord Bakaris shows up, annoyed about recent relief efforts, and at being kept out of important affairs. Rickard explodes on him, leaving the noble huffing and chuffing.

Darrett suddenly bursts into the Brass Crab, shouting that an armored rider has appeared in town, flanked by soldiers.

The group rushes out to meet the messenger as she’s riding through the River Gate. They also spot more guards stationed on the nearby cliffs.

The rider is carrying a message, and after Mayor Raven steps forward as the leader, the soldier reads:

People of Vogler,

By orders of Belephaion, the Voice of Takhisis, this village has been claimed by the invincible Red Dragon Army.

Those of you who wish to join our ranks, your families will be protected, and you will join the righteous cause of the Queen of Dragons.

Those who refuse will perish as surely as your militia.

You have until nightfall.

More of the village has arrived to hear the message, and whispers begin circulating. Bakaris calls out that surely the nobility and leaders of the town will be needed, but the rider dismisses him, unsheathes her sword, and lights it on fire, displaying the goddess’ power.

Several villagers are awed, and many move toward the soldiers to join their ranks. The mayor is stunned. Cudgel is furious and yells, but once again the rider retorts with a dismissive wave, blaming the mercenaries fully for the attack.

As the rider turns to leave, several soldiers fall off the cliff, their bodies slamming into the ground. Knives protrude from their backs. Atop the cliff, they spot Jeyev and a group of mercs, having just arrived to the blockade.

The rider spurns her horse to flee while the soldiers cover her, but Korl casts sleep, slowing the enemies down. Cudgel, Becklin, and Darrett charge forward to attack the two soldiers, while Py tries to entangle the warhorse.

The rider makes it a bit further before succumbing fully to the spell, sliding off the horse.

The mayor is upset, believing the others just caused a war, but Becklin assures this was their only option.

After the sudden attack, Rickard takes the rider prisoner and Elyas joins him, along with Becklin and Cudgel. Mayor Raven takes the others to the Village Circle to tell everyone their plan: they must evacuate the entire village, and they must do it today!

It’s already afternoon, and the Wharfinger reports they only have about half the ships needed to ferry hundreds of people down river toward Kalaman, the nearest city.

Py uses his celebrity status to calm everyone and focus their attention, while Korl’s musical dancing elevates the mood, and gets people moving and helping.

While half the party worries about the boat situation, Elyas and Rickard interrogate the messenger at Thornwall Keep.

Elyas uses detect thoughts, along with his familiar and shocking grasp, to engage in a bit of extreme interrogation and torture. Becklin isn’t happy about it, but Elyas snaps that this is a life or death situation, and the entire village is at risk — his home.

Armed with his spells, Elyas sees visions of the army conquering the village, led by an ogre, and of the army sweeping across Solamnia, fueled by the goddess. Rickard suggests asking about the reptilian creatures, and Elyas sees visions of their birth — stolen eggs from metallic dragons, hideously corrupted. He sees a word: draconian, and learns they come in different varieties depending on the parent dragon.

In a moment of despair and outrage, Elyas moves to slit the prisoner’s throat, but is stopped by Becklin and Darrett. Elyas, having been put through a lot of stress, calms down a bit, and Rickard sticks the rider into a prison cell.

The party reunites, but Becklin gives them orders: defend the town at all costs. She, Cudgel, Jeyev, and the few remaining Ironclad mercs will ride out to distract and harass the army, diverting their attention, and hopefully buy everyone some time.

The party will act as the last line of defense within the village.

Before they depart, Becklin instructs Elyas to retrieve a large wooden box from Thornwall Keep and present it to Darrett after everything is over. Both know there’s a good chance she will not return. She thanks the party for being dear friends and staunch allies when they need them most.

The hours pass as the party helps find and repair ships for the villagers to use, and station whatever militia remain near the gate as a warning.

Just as the sun begins to set, an explosion rocks the gates. A burned guard comes stumbling down the road, screaming that the army is here.

And they have a dragon.

Next up: Invasion of Vogler!

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