“The leader is probably just an especially strong and well-equipped gnoll,” Becky stated, nodding towards the north, “As a group, the four of us can probably handle that. I’m more worried about whatever’s down that way,” She finished, pointing down the shadowy western tunnel.
Liv nodded, “It feels spooky down there. If there’s something truly unusual going on, we should definitely scout it out first, if not neutralize it entirely.”
Their course decided, the two bravos proceeded down the western hallway. The shadows were sticky and pervasive, and Liv suspected that no number of torches would properly illuminate the gloomy tunnel. She kept her rifle at the ready, and Becky, a few steps ahead, was clearly just as alert.
The tunnel opened up into a spacious cavern that was just as dark and unwelcoming. Strange symbols lined the walls, and a wooden hut sat in the center of the chamber, near a shimmering pool. Becky and Liv looked at each other, then slowly backed out of the cavern, where they could have a discussion without alerting any gnolls potentially lurking within.
“That must be where this group’s shaman lives,” Becky said, nodding towards the hut, “But something feels very wrong, here.”
Liv nodded, but looked relatively unconcerned, “Maybe the air will clear up a bit after we kill him.”
Becky didn’t know enough about gnoll magic to agree or disagree, but even if killing the shaman didn’t neutralize the magics already in place, it would prevent him from weaving any more. “I agree that we should take him out, but we don’t even know if he’s here at the moment. And if a shaman is here, we don’t know whether or not he’s alone.”
Liv peered through her scope at the hut, and frowned, “Only one entrance,” She said, “No windows. My range isn’t much of an advantage here.”
Becky ran a hand through her hair and considered their options. It would be difficult to see inside the hut without being seen, and entering it blindly was an even bigger risk. But if they wanted to kill the shaman, it was a risk at least one of them was going to need to take. Her mind made up, she turned to Liv and explained her plan.
