Into the Depths: Investigating the Shimmering Shore Tunnels (Group 2)

The group can sense the movement of something below, noting the way the shadows shift underfoot. Then, a deeper darkness settles over them, lingering and oppressive. It lingers for a long while... and then something begins to stir.

The ground ripples beneath their paws, cracks splintering out in every direction. Some grow wide, threatening to swallow up the nearby wolves and send them sinking down into the dark depths.

A loud crack can be heard as air as soil and debris are sent outward in an explosion, filling the air with a thick cloud of dust. As it slowly begins to settle, a nightmarish figure emerges from the abyss- a grotesque creature, its body radiating a dull otherworldy glow. Its segmented body seems to pulsate, muscles contracting and releasing, the rhythmic movements sending a cascade of pebbles and dirt flying loose from where it'd been caked onto its form.

The monstrosity harbors a singular bulbous eye, its cross-shaped pupil undulating up and down, never staying in one place for long. Unfocused. Yet still seeing. What surrounds the eye is almost flower-like in appearance, fleshy succulent petals tipped in sharp spikes that ooze a viscous substance.

Suddenly the movement of the beast's pupil grows still, its shiny surface throbbing as it fixates on the nearby creatures, dilating. Sharp points on the beast orient sharply toward the wolves, its intent clear- predators are to become prey.