Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

(Yes, Elyria travels as fast as she can as long as Olcelle can keep up :-)

With interest, the paladin will examine the magical compass.  "That will be very useful," he says.

After reaching the ridge, Aurelius will signal Lady to stop, and he will dismount.  He will look for a vantage point that gives him a clear view of the south, and hopefully some advanced warning of any pursuit from that direction, while still providing some cover.  Of course, he is also alert for any sign of Elyria, whom he hopes has been told where he would wait.  He smiles at the blink dog (assuming it is still following him) and wishes he could communicate with it to scout about for any signs of approaching enemies.

(did I understand correctly that the ridge represents the border?)

Aurelius and Flynt: 

(Correct, the ridge that you just passed over should be the edge of Lady Sylmare's lands.  At least from what the two elves described to you. I will presume the blink dogs were left at the quarters you had been provided.  Yours is with you while the other two waited for Elyria and are with her.) 

Looking to the north, the road you are following drops a bit in elevation before climbing a bit of a steeper slope of a ridgeline ahead. It is probably a mile to mile-and-a-half, which you should easily be able to cover in the time before your 'hour' the Lady gave you is up. You should have a good vantage to the south from there. The blink dog seem to appreciate the smile from Aurelius, but shows no clue he knows what you are thinking.  He does seem to look around a bit, but does not seem to be scouting in particular. 

When Flynt first pulled out the compass, it seemed to point back the way you had come from, only slowly turning back to being slightly north-east of directly north.  The distance indicator also has a similar effect, showing a very small distance before spinning up to just over 200 miles.  It ends essentially where it was when you looked at it before. 

Elyria:

For about the past 10 minutes you have been following a road, more or less northward.  When you come to the crest of a hill you can now see the mountains in the far distance. Olcelle slows and then comes to a halt. "Well, this is about the edge of Lady Sylmare's lands. You are set on finding your companions then?"  She takes a moment to survey the road beyond this point and looks back to the west for a moment as well.  

Aurelius says to Flynt, "I think we should just walk from here, and give Elyria some time to catch up, assuming she is following us. We should give her at least a day before we strike out on our own."

He will take a few minutes to make a cairn of stones in the shape of an arrow pointing northward alongside the road, and then walk briskly (3-4 mph) alongside Lady in that direction toward the higher ridge.

"Explain your compass to me, please," asks the paladin. "Why does it seem to be changing its target?  I still fear that Sylmare and Leilatha are conspirators... I wonder if Leilatha has been traveling with the artifact."

He will also sift through his memory, trying to recall anything pertinent to the foes they might be soon facing (sprites, fairies, satyrs).  He will ask Flynt to do the same, and offer his help.

"I...I thought they would wait for me here." She says, clearly distraught over not yet finding her allies. "Thank you Olcelle, I will return with what I've been tasked to find." Elyria says, giving the elf a quick hug. "I will have to quicken the pace I guess." She says with smile and swiftly transforms into a white wolf that gives Olcelle a quick look before setting off north followed by Aelric, Acorn and Sozi. (Pace is now 40 feet)

"Agreed," says Flynt "I'll go with you to the ridge but then I'll go back for Elyria. As for the compass I'm unsure why it acted so funny. Nesbin said the artifact was part of a set. Perhaps Lady Sylmare has a piece of the set and the proximity caused the behavior. It would fit with the competitiveness of the two Queens. But for now our main concern is getting you out side her borders and getting Elyria back to us. I will go back the way we came. If she is following us I should meet her and will bring her back to us even if I have to go all the way back to Alvahollow."

As Flynt and Aurelius walk along he answers the paladin inquiry with the same common knowledge known by most people.

"You can go back now, I'll be fine," Aurelius says.  "I would stop here, but I'm not sure how overzealous Sylmare's forces are.  And judging by their mistress, they might not choose to fight honorably."

With a nod Flynt turns and heads back the way they came at a lite jog.

Elyria: As you set to depart in wolf form, you notice the small pile of rocks in the shape of an arrow pointed north along the road. You then set off in that direction. 

Flynt:  It is about 10 minutes after you left Aurelius and turned back along the road. You see ahead of you, and coming your way, 2 blink dogs and a wolf. 

Considering that one doesn't typically come across two blink dogs and a wolf Flynt slows to a stop ready for trouble.

Elyria: Several minutes after leaving Olcelle behind you all spot Flynt walking back down the road towards you. (If you hadn't guessed! Other than he has no real idea you are the wolf,  I will assume you two are together.  Aurelius is still walking farther northward.)

(Both Elyria and Flynt roll Perception. Roll for Aelric also.)

As Elyria spots Flynt she transforms to her elf appearance again, still running towards him together with Acorn and Sozi. "Flynt, where is Aurelius, have they already got to him?"
Elyria perception: 26 Aelric perception: 13

"Aurelius is fine. He's just back there on the ridge."

Flynt replies as he points back to the ridge. Turning around he heads back the way he came motioning for the Druid to follow.

Perception: 17

Elyria and Flynt:

(Still needed Perception from Flynt, but it's moot at this point.)

Elyria notes movement in the trees about maybe a quarter mile to the west of the road you are following.  Several humanoid figures, but you only get a glimpse.  

Aelric confirms a group of five elves, dressed in much the same garb as Olcelle and the others,  traveling on foot. They seem to be moving quickly and not making much effort to conceal themselves.  You estimate they are moving roughly parallel to the road.  Aelric does not seem to specifically recognize any of them. 

(Assuming you continue towards Aurelius, Elyria and Flynt -move at fast pace? Aurelius is standard pace?)

"We must hurry Flynt, they are coming for Aurelius, we would want to avoid his pursuers if possible. I can maybe help with that." Elyria says and hurries along, sending Aelric to try to make Aurelius turn around for them.

(Yes, standard pace for Aurelius, he is hoping to let the others catch up).

Aurelius: It is probably half an hour since you party ways with Flynt when you spot a familiar looking owl overhead.  It swoops down towards you and you recognize Aelric.  For a moment it hovers in front of you, flapping its wings as though trying to block your way.  

Elyria and Flynt: You travel as quickly as you can along the road.  You lose sight sight of the elves as you both are moving.  You soon reach the spot near the top of the ridge where Flynt had left Aurelius and continue on.  It is a bit longer before you see Aurelius a ways ahead on the road. 

(Timing will depend on whether Aurelius stops or just keeps going.  But in the end you catch up to him.  If you wish to look for any signs of danger a Perception roll would be in order.  The blink dogs are continuing along with you all and none have seemed to alert you to any danger at this point.) 

Elyria waves her hands trying to catch Aurelius' attention, still running towards him, glancing over to look for the elven hunting party.
Perception: 21 Aelric perception: 18

Smiling at the owl, Aurelius stops walking and turns back to the south, searching for his friends (or anyone else).

Perception 14