((reposting this since it was missed it seems))

Listening to the translation, Thufir reponds by first asking, "What kingdom is this? Did we enter it through that arch?" pointing back the direction from which they came. He then adds to any other responses, "Do you know what caused this curse?"

(Ok lets rewrite for the sake of time.) Nobody ritually casts comprehend languages then gives the scroll to the elf the Elf. He nods and reads the scroll which disappears He tells Nobody that his name is Prince Tomaliy Silvennon The curse came upon him when. An female elf Jonalia Autunmoon whom  who he thought was a beautiful elf but was really a hag, from the fey realm. They were to marry but he had to reject her when he found out the truth. His scorn brought revenge from her father whom was a great witch king cursed him turning his Kingdom into runes. His once beautiful kingdom of Lonnaly faded from the history books. He would leave for help only to be slain over and over again and would end up back here. When asked when the curse happened he gives you a date before the spell plague 

When nobody translates Thufirs question he says "The arch is where my kingdom ends and my legs become four." The greatbow appears in the elfs hands again "I offer this magic bow if you can help me get somewhere to remove the curse till then, it is bound to me."

With no quiver or arrow he demonstrates the bow by shooting thru the archway which is no more than a 100ft away.

Nobody's ears perk up at the mention of Ettercaps. But seeing the sorrowfulness of elf, he appears to bite his own lips to keep from indulging in his more academic curiosities. Fortunately he appears to eventually become sated hearing the rest of the elf's story and even had the decency to look a bit solemn by the end. "Uh... I mean, that might be a bit tricky, good sir'rah. You see, we have our own mission to, uhm... how to put this... we sorta need to spy on these dragon cultist and undermine their less than altruistic plans." He said with a bit of a sheepish smile. "But, uh, I don't see w-why you can't tag along? C-could be, maybe, we stumble across something that might help you. Maybe even somebody in waterdeep could help?" 

At that point he looks to the others. "But what do you guys think? Might be a bit awkward explaining things back in camp, but..." He trailed off from there not really certain on how to complete the sentence.

Fargen eyes the others, “So we bring back the giant stag, alive, to camp?  After the cook nearly shit gold to offer a bounty?  Don’t see that workin’ so well.”

”I may soon be granted Moradin’s favor enough to break the curse.  Or is he suggesting we go hunt out this witch king?  How many ways to die, eh?  As Nobody says, we’ve got other tasks ahead.”

"Clearly the cook will have to go without his prize," Thufir says, looking back to the elf, somewhat grateful that his words aren't being understood. He then adds, "Have we time to help this soul? The caravan will only be camped here for the evening."

Prince Silvennon says to Nobody after giving an odd look to Thufir "He doesn't understand how this spell works," He slightly smiles "I guess." He shrugs "I may have a solution. I would humble myself to be the paladins mount. As far as any prizes, I loose my antlers once a year then regrow them. I can lead you to my discarded antlers they do have gold in them and maybe worth something too you." He tilts his head "Though I do not know how many sets are left goblins and other creatures have discovered them time to time."

He addresses Fargen directly supposing Nobody translates "The witch king though, he was in the fay realm would of passed away centuries ago. But thankyou." 

(Hmm, maybe a higher level campaign "Revenge of the Witchking" No promises though.)

Nobody's expression noticeably brightens again at the new suggestion. And after again translating as necessary for the others, he says to the fey, "I-If its not too much trouble, that would perfect. A-and if fortune favors us at that, I'm sure we can convince our employer to leave things be if can get acquire those discarded antlers for sure." He then looks to the rest of the party.

"G-granted our main mission of course might make a few other things awkward by attracting some attention to us. But conversely, if others are more distracted by our good fortune and not our intention, it wouldn't make for a better smoke cover, as it were. Heck, by the nine, they might even somehow be able to work this whole thing as an in with those ner-do-wells if we play things just right once we're back." 

“If we can find the time, I would be happy to assist you be free from this curse,” Thufir says. Thinking of the rewards he adds, “Though I wouldn’t dare to ask you to act as my mount. Perhaps though you would allow me to use the spirit of the forest for when I’m able to better connect with a mount of my own.” Then looking to the others in the group says, “If we have time before the caravan leaves shall we see if we can help this imprisoned king of the forest?”

Lorban ponders for a moment.  "You say that when you are struck down in stag form, you return here?  Well, then I suppose there's no real harm in allowing you to accompany us.  Although I'm not sure what we could do if we were halfway to Waterdeep when it happened...What is the furthest you have ventured from your kingdom?  I suspect we won't be able to acquire a scroll of the appropriate magic until we reach the markets of Baldur's Gate."

Nobody grimaces at Fargen, but before he can muster up the wherewithal to speak on one point, Lorban's spoken pondering leaves the Tiefling looking a mix of confused at first then a little amused. "Uh...er... I think there's been, uhm, some miscommunication at some point? O-Or, uhm.... ugh... Let's start with you." He gestures to Thufir. "Unless I'm mistaken, and our, uhm.. friend can of course correct me on this, but I don't believe a means to free the king is within the kingdom. A-as no doubt he's already searched for it high and low. O-Or if it is, I doubt we would be able to find it within a single evening."

"S-so rather, he's requesting to come along so that we can... ya know, act as a voice back in our home plane. S-seeing as he'd be pretty stuck in that regard. A-as for the whole mount thing, I b-believe it was suggested as a cover story type deal. B-but again if that's a bit much, uhm..." He trails off from there and stands there awkwardly for a moment before switching back to Lorben. "H-he never mentioned being struck down as a stag would return him here. Rather, whenever he leaves, he becomes, uhm... well, a stag. Th-though that would be awfully convenient in a pinch, and might even be the case, seeing as he's probably a native of this plane 'n all that... b-but that's just speculation and, uhm... a-anyhow, it seems we're mostly in agreement of him at least coming along. So, uh, shall we find those old antlers, head back, and, uh, spin whatever story we need to, yea? N-not to rush anyone of course, but, uhm... I think we should get going sooner than later." 

Prince Silvennon nods to Nobody's statements picks up an ancient back pack and then a saddle as if out of thin air. "I have had this saddle for all of my mounts. It' made me more confident in riding." He shakes his head "Such Irony." and walks slowly towards the arch. He stops turns waiting just before it.

Fargen reminds the group, "I may soon find the favor of Moradin to break your curse myself.  Aye, travel with us and we shall see what we can do."

"We would be most fortunate, friend Fargen. But for the moment, we make do, yea? And if this turns out to be an exceptionally sturdy curse, well, we'll be in quite the fine company for a time more, eh?" Nobody smiles sheepishly. Looking then to the Prince, presuming noone else were of differing opinions still, he gives him an awkward nod and said, "Right. Lead on then, your lordship. To the horn cache and then its back to the caravan." 

Nodding to Fargen, Nobody and the group. He steps beyond the archway and his transition looks painful his neck lengthens then his whole body. Soon the beautiful golden stag stands before you with saddle in place. He stands awaiting, Thufir.

Thufir walks along side the stag with the others, since they are not mounted, headed back to camp.

Prince Tomaliy Silvennon leads you down a well traveled deer trail The stag stops ears at alert as smoke moves thru the forest. You hear a gutteral barking, laughing language coming from a thicker grove of trees not more than 100ft away in this dark forest. Silvennon's ears pin back in anger. The huge rack on his head gently urges Thufir to get on his back.

Fargen utters a blessing to upon himself, Thufir, and Lorban as he prepares to follow the mounted charge.  He listens closely (18) to the language, keen confirming his suspicion. 

"Gnolls?"  he slowly mouthes in a whisper, looking back to Lorbran and Nobody while Thufir mounts the stag.

Lorban gives Weld a slow, determined nod as he discretely readies his bow.  He slips a few steps away from the group, clinging to the shadows.

"Gnolls?!" Nobody exclaimed in a strained whisper. "A shoot. That is certain not good." He breaks out his crossbow and quickly made sure it was readied and loaded before all else. "I suppose it could've been worse, but... Oof. Can't say I've met one personally. But from what little I know, we'd have easier time trying to negotiate a goblin to bathe than we would convincing a Gnoll of anything that doesn't involving eating you on the spot." Nobody grimaces.  

Finally noting Lorben's movement after, he nods inwardly before saying, "Let's creep closer as best we can 'ill they're in sight. And then..." He loosely gestures with his crossbow before trying to make good on his suggestion by following Lorben at some distance(15 ft). 

Thufir?