Creatures such as these are always a puzzle, [Liem agrees as he continues to examine the monster's face, pulling his quarrel from its ruined eye and examining the mess of tentacles for signs of a mouth.] Particularly when they hail from afar. Given that we now find ourselves in an alien world, I imagine that most will.

[Even the native wildlife could be strange, when the place they're native to is an island floating naked in the midst of the dark tapestry. Liem isn't even sure this one isn't native — he just knows it was far too dangerous to continue living.

After another moment's examination, he finally does push the creature into a straighter orientation and slide his blade into it. The darkly hued dagger goes in like a hot knife into butter, suggesting a keenness that surpasses that of normal steel.]

I will be sure to beg your assistance should the beast resist me even in death.

[With that, he slits it open along the entire length of its ventral surface, and goes about a rather mercenary examination of its insides. Like his companion, he's unable to divine anything of real interest from what lies within, but it's at least enough for him to decide what parts of the creature he wants to bother hauling back to camp. The rest of the carcass can be food for the forest's other hideous creatures.]