I just finished reading through this fantastic story and want to suggest some things:
First of all, we need to get the amulet! Afterall, where going to fight two necromancers, each with an army at their command. It couldn't hurt if we would have an artifact of power. Even if it proves to be rather worthless, we can still learn about necromancy by studying it. As mentioned before, we should try to get money from our mother, sell some mana potions and try to barter with the merchant.
Secondly, we need information. I'd propose that we go and talk to our mother and Elana (maybe we can find out more about necromantic artifacts, by the way) and meet the elders, but if they want us to go on a mission for them, try to reject. We don't want to have someone always looking over our shoulder.
I know that we want to go to the old elven homelands, but I'd suggest not to go there right now. We know that the elven homelands are infested with undead, and Thrimesdur is at war with a powerful necromancer. We should avoid this place for the moment. We should rather go with the caravan to the Jeweled Coast. If we join the caravan, I guess we are safe from the hazards in the jungle. Also, the necromancer from the Jeweled coast doesn't seem as powerful as Nightroars (most of his army is composed of pirates and mercenaries, instead of undead). We also know that Nightroars is clearly evil, while the necromancer of the Jeweled Coast seems to be more of a powerful bandit lord.
Therefore I would suggest this (in no particular order):
- Get money (from our parents, from selling mana potions)
- Talk to the merchant and try to bargain for the amulet
- Visit our mother and Elana, getting as much informations as possible
- Meeting the Elders, but reject any mission they want to give to us
- Joining the caravan to the Jeweled Coast