BTW, they do all have the bow skill and bows. And the druid is fighting without armor, probably unarmed, though I don't remember offhand.

I had another game with a priest and ranger and promoted to a mage, so never did this quest before (didn't finish that one yet either). Basically, I split the original game in two and went down different paths to see what each was like. But the paladin isn't the one getting slaughtered - they LOVE to go for the gladiator (and then the druid) - he's tough to keep alive.