Journal of Artyom's Expedition - Day 1

Finally underway with Artyom's expedition to Whistlewind Valley. We got ambushed by two separate groups at once today while crossing the foothills, both by the platoon under the command of the hobgoblins we're following and by those Path of Blood bounty hunters again. Thankfully Eloria took care of the elf a second time, quite easily by the sound of it, and I hope that's the last we've seen of the gnome. I gave him a good scare to try to get it to sink in this time.
 
The hobgoblins I'm more worried about. We're not even a day out from Twobridge and they're already aware of our presence, and we have no clear sense of where they went. We handled their ambush easily this time, mostly due to poor discipline and morale among the goblin footsloggers, but I'm concerned what might happen if the hobgoblins commit more fully. I have a suspicion they might have waited in the hills and be intending to follow us up the pass.
 
The twins have also shared some disturbing information about the pass itself - apparently it is home to a malevolent spirit of some description, who commands an army of undead. The two options it gives are to sacrifice a life to pass, or to attempt to fight the spirit and the army. I'm looking forward to that fight. My oath requires that I stand against someone who would imprison souls and keep them from the cycle of life and death, and I have no qualms with keeping that part of my oath.
 
On a happier note, Blorgat turned out to be quite the reasonable fellow. He's something of a connoiseur for a hill giant, and seemed perfectly happy with our "toll". I'm glad something went without incident for once on this journey.
 
I hope the defenders of Kopastad are faring well. I worry that Grung's army is only part of what the Undying are mobilizing, and that things are only going to get more dire.