Never tried in the full game, but in the EA it was possible to trigger the gate event by sending a familiar ahead, and then dismissing it. So you would not be in combat, it was only the goblins and the adventurers. Then it was up to dice rolls.
Thank you, you have given me an idea how to conduct my science experiment to get past the Grove without engaging with it. So far it has seemed like a hard block by the game preventing you from encountering the goblins first.
