"What type of creature?" Iona asked Bakji as she set the bag she was looking through aside. "If it is a danger to the community than it is worth the risk to help them as they have us no?"
Bakji nodded "It is a parasite that seems to hang from the ceiling hidden and snag up it's prey with a sticky tongue. It isn't stuck to the single spot so they can be difficult to see and would make for a nasty predator of the area. The blacksmith said it is also quite useful for it's components." he said offering up what he could.
"Did he give you the location? If so I don't see a reason why we can't go get it." Iona said with a shrug. "However, I believe we should allow Aravashnial, Horgus, and Anevia to remain here. Two are injured and need their rest and the last has no weapon. I'd rather not expose them if we don't need to."
The group travel to the town exit that leads to where the cave fisher more likely nest. When you get to the tunnel entrance, you notice two mongrelfolk standing guard there. Hearing you, they turn to look at you. "Ah, euh... Stop... please?" They both look rather unsure what to do, as if they were there more to prevent things from coming into the town and not people wanting to go out. "You shouldn't go that way. It is rather dangerous, lot's of bad stuff."
Viktor raises his monstrous tower shield. "Luckily I have something to keep the bad stuff at arm's length! We accept the risk, and would go down regardless. But any advice or information you may be able to tell us about what is down there would be much appreciated."
Bakji raises his eyebrow at Viktor's words. "The blacksmith sends us this way in search of a creature that preys upon you folk." he offered
"I believe it also supplies your smith with things they use while smithing. We're more than happy to help." She said with a small smile.
The guards look at you, trying decide what to do. "You... you really want to go that way? Ok, but keep an eye on the ceiling." One move aside as the other opens the gate to a dark passageway. You walk for a few hours, following the indications that the blacksmith gave you. Eventually you get a large cavern. You are pretty sure you are in the right spot. Now is just a question of finding your prey.
Bakji looked around for a brief moment before pulling out an arrow and casting light on it.
He then takes the arrow and knocks it before firing it into ceiling.
Iona readied herself, casting light upone her shield as she slowly looked around.
Bakji sends an Arrow flying while Iona turns her shield into a light source. The combine effect makes you realize how big the place is. While the ceiling is just twenty feet up, the walls on either side spread into the darkness, also you are unable to see the other side of it. The floor and ceiling are covered with stalactites and stalagmites, a perfect place for an ambush type of creature. Once is a while you heard a drop of water hitting the floor. The noise is echoed far and wide, making it almost impossible to pinpoint the original location. For now, you see no clues as to where the creature might be.
"Stay close."
Viktor starts moving forward. Stealth was not there strong suit, it would find them sooner or later.
You start to walk into the cavern. Even with the light provided by Iona's shield, the configuration of the cavern creates lots of shadowy places and render the progress rather slow. After thirty minutes, Viktor spot a small pile of bones on the ground on the edge of Iona's illumination.
"Oh good, not only is it a terrible man-eating monster, but it also doesn't clean up after itself." Viktor approaches the bones.
Iona kept her light focused on where Viktor was heading and followed behind him. "Few monsters do I would like to point out." She stated.
Bakji looked rather...perplexed by what they were talking about. They were tracking a monster and making noise didn't quite make sense to him but at least the topic was interesting. "If they did, the would be far more formidable." he said nodding simply.
He squinted his eyes a bit and looked deeper into the edges of the light using his enhanced vision.
He pulled another arrow, nocking it as he looked towards the ceiling for the creature.
Moving closer to the pile of bones, you notice one humanoid skeleton, the rest seems to be from other type of creatures. Looking around, Bakji see what he thinks is a movement from the corner of his eyes, but when he looks directly, he does see anything out of the ordinary. He does get an uneasy feeling that something is spying on them, he just can't see it right now.
Bakji pauses for a moment and lightly taps on the closest shield to alert the others. "I'm certain it is close." he said before he motioned for Viktor to come closer before he cast light on his shield.
"Back to back and slowly turn as he we walk. Hopefully this creature will be lured by the light or blinded by it and I'll finally catch a proper glimpse of it." he said as he stood slightly off to the side of them so they could make without him impeding them.
"Mhmm. Stay close, if you can't feel each other's breath you're getting too far." Viktor raises his light-radiating shield and advances.
Iona kept her back to Viktor and Bakji, keeping an eye out for anything that might sneak up on them. "Viktor tell me, have you ever formed a shield wall before?" She asked.
"Of course! At the Worldwound we would make them in the case of floods of weaker demons, the ones without area magic or flight. It was very effective. Although the wood never held much against fire, I have always wanted to design a metal tower shield. So heavy though."
Moving into a defensive formation, the group keeps looking at all possible ambush points. As you rotate, you notice movement again. It seems to come from some sort of a center column. Looking at it, you notice two possible entrances to it on either side facing you.
Without hesitating Viktor leads the party down the path to the left.
With Viktor in front, the group moves toward the opening. The hollowed column is dark and you get a feeling that you just found the lair of the creature. You see some more bones and some rotting flesh on the ground. Just as Viktor is about to take another step, Bakji notices a near invisible filament in the Paladin's path.
Bakji quickly grabs Viktor by the rim of the armor and alerts him "Careful...quite difficult to see but you just about got caught in it's trap." he said before following the filament up.
He carefully notched the arrow and took aim.
He took his time, saying a prayer to Iomedae granting him her sight and precision.
Finally feeling that everything was as prepared as he could manage, he let the arrow fly.
Thanks to Bakji, Victor avoid getting caught in the trap. The Inquisitor then readies his bow and tries to hit the creature they have been looking for. While he was careful in his aim, the arrow wasn't of the best construction and the fletching can off. The arrow misses its mark, but signal the start of the fight to come.
Bakji curses a bit under his breath in his mother language and quickly readies another arrow.
Bakji sends another arrow at the creature, but misses again. The Cave fisher climbs down to attack in melee. It tries to grab Viktor with its claw, but the claw only slides on the Paladin's armor.
"Ha! You have lost your advantage!" Viktor smashes down his new hammer.
Iona stepped up next to Viktor, before the creature. "Don't go getting two sure of that. We've no idea what this thing can do." Iona pointed out
In his excitement for a fight, Viktor misjudges the creature's position and hit the stone instead. Steeping to his left, Iona swings her sword and manages to pierce the hard shell of the cave fisher. She inflicts some damage, but not enough to finish the fight.
Bakji takes a step back and fires.
Bakji's Arrow bounce off the natural armor of his target. The cave fisher uses both of its claws to attack Viktor. The first claw knocks his shield out of the way while the other clamp down on his sword arm. The pressure of the claw can be felt as it crush flesh and bones.
"Rahhh! You must do better than that to tell me, beast!" Viktor ducks behind his shield and feints to open up a shot for Iona.
Iona brought her sword back around to hit the creature once more but Viktor's feint seemed to effect her as much as it would the creature before them. Though she'd never tell him that out of respect.
Viktor tries to bait the creature so that it opens itself to an attack from Iona. The effort is sadly wasted as Iona is unable to land a blow on the creature.
Bakji grumps at this point, drops the bow and pulls out the glaive before attempting to give it resounding slice over the shield wall.
Aiming over his comrades heads, Bakji use his Glaive and attacks the cave fisher. The blade buries itself in the shell of the creature, opening a second wound. Angry, the creature tries to get by Viktor's shield. This time, however, it is unable to do so.
Viktor tries the same strategy.
Bakji gives it another jab.
The creature continues to attack Viktor. This time it gets lucky and manages to close its claw on the Paladin's neck. The attack proves to be more than the Paladin can take and he silently slide to the ground.
Iona saw the creature attack Viktor, a flash of anger came over her face as she shouted "Your battle is with me creature!" Before slashing at it.
Bakji saw Victor drop and cursed before adjusting his weapon and curving the slice back up in an attempt to finish this so they can focus on their companion.