Vigan

Rolling his eyes at the rogue's comments, Vigan knocks back a Potion of Healing, and follows after the goblin.

"Next time, we don't trust the first goblin that helps us; the only good goblin is a dead one!"

Andor

"Hold on! There are other paths we could explore which don't leave us walking into a tight space with an amorphous blob of ooze that eats everything it sees to sneak up on us. Maybe we should go back the way we came?" Andor says all this while staring at the rock the ooze has retreated into making sure it stays there. 

R

I say evenly to my companions, "Unless you know these tunnels already, forward is as good as back," I say. "Staying put, on the other hand, is definitely a danger."

Andor

"Fine, let's all just keep our eyes open, did you see how small that hole it came out of was - we could easily miss it if it tried something similar elsewhere, or if there is more than one..." Andor trails off and then starts following the others up the tunnel whilst keeping a close eye on the hole the blob came out of.

The party members make their way up the passage used by Snigbat to flee. It gradually curves to the east, and after a distance of approximately 100' it leads to an exit on the eastern side of the hill. The goblin, it seems, has run off into the countryside. 

Andor

"Well maybe Snigbat wasn't as stupid as he looked.  But we still don't have any idea where the villagers are and so we need to go back and risk getting past the Black Pudding again, shall we head back straightaway?  The longer we leave it the more likely they'll kill all of them."

Andor, still carrying his torch looks back down the tunnel to see if there is any sign of the ooze.

"At least we know of another way out if we need one!"

Vigan

"Black Pudding aren't known for their intelligence, hopefully its instincts will tell it to keep clear of us, lest it be roasted again."

Vigan turns and makes to head back into the cave system. "We should hurry, preferably with someone who can see in the dark better than I up front."

The black pudding does not reappear; the strange odor of its burned flesh remains in the adventurers nostrils long after they pass by the column of rock. All is quiet when the five party members return to the main cavern.

Updated map: 

Andor

"Looks like you were right, Vigan, no sign of it now.  Which way to go, there seem to be four choices," Andor points at them in turn "This one seems as good as any." he says pointing to the closest tunnel (K10) "Or does anyone else have a preference?".

Rixton:

"Well, a goblin fled to the east," I say, somewhat dourly, "But I do wonder if Snigbat was protecting Hark by leading us away. That means northwest."

Ladrian

"Either it's fine by me, I just want to get out of here! " Ladrian spouts. 

Rixton:

"Let me go scout a bit. Ladrian or Carrow, why don't you scout east? I'll head back towards where Snigbat was hiding out."

I sneak back to N7.

Stealth: 22

Rixton returns to the northwest end of the main tunnel, where it branches to the south and to the north.

To the south--which was where Snigbat appeared--the passage leads to a small room with a natural hole in the ceiling. This hole, which is roughly 4' in diameter creates a natural 40' chimney that leads out of the caves. Through it Rixton can see the night sky above. In the room is a rickety chair, a pile of straw, a scimitar, and a shortbow. It seems as if one lucky goblin were stationed in this room.

To the north is an open area, and Rixton can see two giant rats gnawing on what appears to be the remains of a halfling. They are aware of Rixton's presence, but see no reason to stop their meal. 

Carrow 

"The humans were led northeast I think that should be the direction we head, any objections?"

Rixton:

I investigate the room to the south: 10

I also pick up the shortbow and scimitar.

Andor 

"Sounds the wisest course, time waits for no man, let's go" nodding at Carrow's suggestion. He will move as soon as someone with darkvision takes the lead, trying to create a little distance between them. 

Carrow 

The Half-Orc leads the way, keeping low he follows the human tracks staying a little way ahead of the main group.

Stealth: 9 

(Waiting to learn which direction is chosen by Ladrian and Vigan)

Ladrian

Still grumping, Ladrian follows Carrow's direction, staying more at the back with the torch 

In the western portion of the cave, Rixton searches the small room with the natural chimney but finds nothing other than the two goblin weapons. To the north of the rogue, two giant rats continue to gorge themselves on the dead halfling. 

Meanwhile in the eastern portion of the cave, Carrow, Ladrian, and Andor follow the tracks of the captives taken from Nightstone. They quickly encounter a lone goblin with shortbow drawn and ready.

Vigan maintains a vigilant watch in the main cavern, looking for anything that might be coming from the two tunnels that enter the large area from the south. 

Updated map: