The Goblin Den

Mardeyrian moves off like a shadow and scouts the dark passage that looms so blackly in the pale light that passes for mid-morning in the clearing of the keep. He returns with word that there is a chamber below, and he has spotted at least one small and green humanoid in the shadows of the torches which light the place. After a brief discussion, you charge down the stairs, and into battle!

You quickly discover that goblins, though not strong, are cunning. They have covered a shallow pit in the centre of the chamber, and the warriors in the vanguard plunge into it, beset by the crawling, biting rats that infest it. Two goblin warriors engage the party, and bolts from crossbows fly from the shadows. The fight is bloody but brief, and the goblins are overcome. The last goblin screeched about fleeing, but seemed to feel that all his escape routes were cut off. This is strange, because there was at least one door he could have reached... perhaps fear kept him from it. After gathering up the few coins the goblins carried and ransacking the goblins' storeroom, you press on, to the west and north.

It is difficult to imagine that anything nearby could have failed to hear the shrieks of dying goblins, but you can hear few sounds save the shuffling of your feet and the clinking of your armour. Ahead, more doors await you; the one in the western wall leads to another store room full of the sort of fare only goblins would touch. The north door opens to a torture chamber, and it is full of goblins. One is notably larger than the others, a hobgoblin, and he fights with a red-hot poker from the fire!

As you chase the goblins around the room and narrowly escape death several times, cries can be heard coming from the cells to the west. The voice is goblin, but it appears to be cheering you on... With your healing magic depleted, you manage to corner the last goblin (literally) and end his menace. As you begin to tend to your many wounds, you release the goblin prisoner. His name is Sneep, jailed for stealing ale rations he says. He promises to help you if you will keep him safe. Amn seems to have cowed him, and so you will trust the pathetic little creature.

For now.