11 AM: Several torches, mounted in crude wall sconces, burned fitfully in this pillared hallway. Many noted its similarity to the kobold's stately arena seen yesterday. The air was filled with a gray haze that stung the eyes and they barely recognized the familiar entwining dragons carved amid the columns to either side. The fellowship of six gathered together and slowly moved eastward down the wide corridor. Vision was obscured, but Nanith was able to assure that there were no pitfalls before them. At the end of the chamber stood three entrances; one similar on every side they faced.

" Let me take a look at these doors." Nanith whispered " I�ll start with the one on the left." The hobbit moved over to the portal and carefully scanned it from top to bottom. He listened with right ear pressed against the woodgrain but discovered nothing. Just as he was about to twist the doorknob to enter, Teflar interjected from his position behind the group. " Nanith...wait, are you sure that is wise? We should check all the doors first."
Before the halfling could answer, his ears tweaked towards the doorhandle. He raised his finger to his lips to silence any further comment and watched as the knob quickly twisted and the door drew inward! Immediately the crew gathered to strike and, as the unaware goblin came through the exitway, Nanith was right on it. His shortsword lashed out striking the vital neck area. The humanoid went down without a sound and lay dead upon the ground.

" Move away hobbit!" riled Vrai " More may come and I need a good shot." The rogue backed away a step, but after a minute, it was clear no more humanoids were out on patrol.
Nanith bent down and quickly searched the goblin's ragged clothing.
" This guard will surely be missed. We need to find a place to hide the body after I check the other two doors." The team watched the hobbit scamper over and listen for any revealing sounds from the other exits. From the center door, there was clearly distant voices being exchanged in a garbled dialect. The right door remained just as silent as the left. Ninnipin reported that all portals were both untrapped and unlocked with the center door having the lone keyhole.

Aramil lowered his crossbow removing the bolt. " Do either of the side rooms have other exits beyond? I'd like to know if anyone can come from behind us before we move on to investigate the voices." With that said, the rogue opened the right door and the wizard opened up the left. The teammates watched in earnest as to what would be revealed!

Much to everyone's surprise, they encountered what they had dreaded; more goblin bunkhouses! The right room {25'x35'} contained six slumbering monsters while the left chamber contained five. The latter had an opposing closed door leading north.

" Eleven goblins." whispered the distraught hobbit " We can�t possibly take them all out, but I have an idea that could slow them down." Nanith smiled mischievously and motioned for the others to clue in on the far door of the left bunkhouse. " I noticed a lock mechanism. If I can jam it so they cannot escape and retrieve any reinforcements, that would make our odds of success that much greater."

Gailwind looked puzzled " But that would mean they'd be put in a cornered must-fight situation against us."

Vrai's eyes flared up and set his jaw firm " Not if we kill them as they sleep." The others glanced at the mercenary rather uncomfortably until he reinforced with the ugly alternative. " You'd rather fight them toe-to-toe then?"

After a few seconds of deliberation, the team would first allow Nanith to examine the far door and see if his plan was at all possible.