For reasons which are not quite clear, we are still in the mine. But with the gobbos scampering away from the collapsing shaft, surely we'll be out of here soon...
Igor tried to reason with Lund and Ulthar, but they were being characteristically annoying and wanted to stay and kill goblins. Meanwhile, Linth Han went on a Solo dash - 5 seconds of bravery followed by an immediate tactical retreat after finding goblins blocking the path out. We regrouped and charged together towards the exit, determined that now was the moment to do or die. As we were about to engage, we heard the tremendous clamour of the mine shaft collapsing and cries for help from Lund and Ulthar. We seriously considered leaving them to learn from the consequences of their actions, but Igor shone the light of his admirable moral clarity and we went back for them. The air was thick with billowing dust, threatening to asphyxiate us. Linthan attempted to harness the winds of magic to clear the cloud but once again paid a personal price for his ambitions, this time with soul wax clogging his ears. It was largely academic, as communication in the dust cloud had already broken down. Deagol dug out a very grateful Lund whilst Igor assessed Ulthar to be dead by touching his hand. Lund tested our patience once more, insisting on staying with his dead brother, but we convinced him to leave with us.
We ran through the mine, looking for another path out, secret passages or treasure. We found only goblin excrement and detritus. Returning to the front of the mine, we encountered a big gang of gobbos and wargs waiting for us at the entrance. In his final act of sabotage to the rescue mission, Lund died. Perhaps he at least drew away some fire from us whilst we hid behind the corner. Perhaps. The gobbos shouted some pretty nasty things at us. They also offered to let us leave in peace if we went quietly, but we saw through this cunning rouse and yelled some horrible things back. Their leader was a goblin in a tattered ball gown, speaking in tongues and making what it clearly believed to be wizard gestures. Linthan, with his formidable knowledge of the magic arts, was not fooled.
The gobbos set up a barricade and we realised that simply charging our way out was no longer an option. We hatched an elaborate plan, combining the individual expertise of each member of the party. Linthan channelled magic energy at a great distance as Igor distracted the gobbos with his taunts and mockery, dodging most of their arrows. Deagol continued to shout profanities and Viggo tried to reload his crossbow. Seeing this, Igor reached his emotional limit and broke down, cursing this cruel world which never lets Viggo reload. Viggo took great comfort from this. Linthan finally built up sufficient magical energy without even the slightest mishap or indiscretion. He unleashed the devastating comet of Casandora on the unsuspecting gobbos. Some were slain. Some were knocked to the ground. Some were set ablaze. Seizing the moment, we charged heroically at the war band, Deagol and Igor attacking them hand-to-hand and Viggo and Linthan firing from the second rank with crossbow and magic missiles. The goblins found Linthan terrifying and some fled.
Igor rushed out to engage Gutbag, their leader, bashing him to the ground. More of the goblins fled, but we showed them no mercy, chasing and hacking them down and looting their bodies. Gutbag yielded and tried to explain himself. Deagol started to interrogate him, but Linthan terminated the interrogation prematurely. Igor wanted to take the slashed, burnt, blood-stained ball gown as a present for Renat, but reconsidered. We found a snazzy shield on Gutbag though. In the distance we see Etelka's tower with some goblins on the ramparts and some scurrying around outside. We ponder our next move, confident that our run of great decisions will continue.