Quote from Astalda >>

He turns to Mindartis. "Midartis Liadon of the Feywild, I may have an idea about what it is that you seek. But it would be wrong of me to solve your riddle and take your quest from you. So I will only say that I believe what you are looking for may appear in the sky...but not very often."

 Mindartis smiles. "Eclipse huh... worth looking into. Thanks for the tip. And don't worry," he looks to the kids, "we'll get your parents back."

At this assurance, the kids grudgingly let Prince Lintelér herd them back toward the carriage. (When Mindartis speaks the word Eclipse, he feels a strange shock from his mysterious greatsword.)

Del is grateful for the thought, so he hides the fact that he can barely lift the sword ((given his low STR, +2 long is worse than mundane short)) Thank you Highness, may the Lady keep you safe and bless your mission as he holds his reliquary. Once out of sight he'll check if anyone is better suited to the sword.

The carriage drives off north along the rutted road, Toth hanging out the window and looking back at you wistfully.

A dark trail leads off to the west...

With the prince off towards supposed safety, Raven is a bit torn.  She knows they have to follow this trail West, but their mission was riding away from them towards the North.  She bites her lower lip as she watches the coach until it is out of sight. Then she turns to the trail west.

"Well, let's move fast..." She says, nudging her mount into a fast canter.

Survival: 22

Perception: 24

Quentin, despite really wanting to, doesn’t look through the book yet. Instead putting it safely on his person before getting quickly magically cleaning and getting on his horse. “Let’s ride and be smart about this. If there is thirty of them we cannot fight that many.”

"Not directly," agreed Elwin, "although if we can catch them by surprise, we'll have more options." After taking off too quickly, he finally brought his horse back to the group and settled on a steady, rapid pace to keep up.

I wish he was coming with us, that you were not so convincing Sister. With us towards danger feels surer than away from us to supposed safety. No where is safe really. Ah well, princes gotta prince. He moves quickly with the rest, riding in the middle rank Perception 10 

Smart is smart. At long range I can slow them down and direct their path, or hypnotize a few. Sir Elwin and I have arrows, he and Lord Quentin have long range spells

Elwin noted Del's use of his new title, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile. He then remembered, that he did indeed have arrows; however, to use them he'd have to transform his spear (which he now carried much more frequently) into a bow. Which took time. Which didn't make much sense for ranged attacks.

The warlock activated a specific mental command, and immediately his spear vanished in a burst of icy mist. Holding his hand to the side, he then summoned a longbow, polished dark wood with ornate silver filigree. Sliding the bow onto his back, he resumed focusing on the ride west.

On the trail of the gnoll band, Raven rides ahead with the party close behind her, at a reckless pace.  The trail is broad and easy to follow, about two days old, so it seems unlikely you'll ride up on the gnolls unexpectedly.

You pass a few other small, scattered farms, similarly empty and lifeless, before reaching the border of the wilderness. There is actually a low stone wall marking the border, with warning signs posted on it that the land beyond is the domain of wild fey, outside many of the laws and protections of the kingdom, and that people of civilization should consider carefully before proceeding, and take care not to offer insult or offense to the creatures of the forest.

The gnolls simply smashed down a wide section of fence. You can see the trail going on through the darkness beneath the enormous, close-growing trees.

Quentin looks around and says, “We should keep following the trail. But let’s be careful in the woods. The sprites in here aren’t going to be as friendly. We should stop before it gets too dark though to set up camp.” 

(What time of day is it now?) 

((It was about noon when you reached the farm, so probably mid-afternoon))

We have some advantages dealing with the fair folk: the Feylord seems to have some authority, and he can use the whistle Roffles gave us if we need aid. Hopefully our service rescuing sprites and pixies will have some weight. And we can be friendly switching to sylvan and calling We ask leave to pursue these monsters, and we will try to clear tha abominations from your lands

Only silence answers Del's call.  But silence is better than tiny poisoned arrows any day...

“Well let’s just tread carefully and then set up camp. If we run into trouble we can try talking first instead of fighting. Thankfully I picked up another cantrip so I don’t have to worry about setting this place ablaze accidentally.” Quentin says ready to make forward 

Mindartis nods, scanning the woods silently for any threats, fey or otherwise.

Perception: 19

In agreement, Elwin kicked with his heels, driving Oroman forward, slowly, past the smashed fence.

As soon as you step over the border, you have the feeling of being cut off from  the lands of elfdom, and of being in an alien domain where unfriendly and unwelcoming eyes may be watching your every move. The air is heavy and still, and the birdsong you hear seems distant, muted, and somehow at the same time, richer in tone and meaning than you are used to.

((Marching order?

Are you still on horseback, or proceeding on foot?

If you are watching or examining your surroundings, you should roll perception: or, if you would rather focus your attention on the trail,  roll survival.

Oh, and everybody....roll me two D20s.  No reason. (innocently whistles a tune.) ))

(I put my perception in my post above, i hope that works.)

10 14

As soon as Quentin feels this shift he immediately casts Mage Armor on himself. If the woods are too thick he’ll hop off the horse to guide it otherwise he’ll continue to ride. Keep an eye out for any danger. 

Perception: 8

Random d20 that gets me a very rare wand here: 6

Random d20 that leads to a TPK here: 8