Just add a touch of Evil

(Publisher's note: The first signs of evil among his companions are carefully noted by Gridley. Given his own recent experience, it is only surprising he did not react more strongly.)

We decided to explore one more unknown corridor before re-entering the goblin section to search for the path down to the Druid. We found a number of rats, and defeated them with little trouble. Among the nest of the largest rat we found the body of the ranger who had accompanied the adventurers we were searching for. As I was about to perform the rites for the body, Thistle blew upon the dragon-shaped whistle we had recovered a few days ago. To my horror, the body rose up as a zombie. I immediately tried to attack, but Thistle blocked me and commanded the zombie to move away. I would not be denied, however, and struck down the monster with my mace. I attempted to take the whistle from Thistle when she refused to hand it over, and we nearly came to blows. Keiros intervened, and Thistle reluctantly handed the whistle into his keeping. I shall pray that the light of the Sun shall clense this taint of evil from their souls.

With a captured goblin guide we proceeded into the goblin area... or the former goblin area, as it turned out. The goblins had pulled back from their defences and collapsed the tunnels leading to them. We retraced our route into the "secret" entrance to their area... and found resistance. In moments we were charged by a hoard of goblins and hobgoblins, who rapidly got in amongst us. We cut many of them down, but then a leader and his guards appeared. I used a Command to drive him away while we pulled into a better defensive position, but he soon returned and challenged Baast to single combat. Baast charged forward and sent the champion staggering with a single blow. Keiros, apparently not familiar with the protocol of single combat, cut him down with a blast of energy. Infuriated, the rest of the goblins attacked. With Marclar, Yasir, and myself out of spells, and with three of us badly wounded, we fled. We left over 20 goblins and hobgoblins dead behind us, but I suspect the leader will survive his wounds; at least we will have his measure the next time we meet.