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I am alive.
Though... I shouldn't be. Not eight hours ago, that foul Duergar pounded me into near oblivion. We'd been slaughtering our way through a slave trade organization, working our way up through the collectors and the middlemen, before finally finding the filthy deep dwarves responsible. I can only hope that Kargin still lives. Anastriana seeks her sister, as well.
We encountered a few of the slaves in the kitchens of this pit that the duergar call home. They told us of the bully of a champion that was dining in the next room. Our effort to silence him once and for all was going well, until a lucky and near fatal blow sent me flying against a neighboring table. Before I could recover, the foul hulking thing drove the head of his hammer through my chest.
As I slipped free of the mortal coil, I cursed my luck, and asked Avandra how my quest could be left so unfulfilled.
"Avandra has not denied you, warrior. You have served her well, and she thanks you. However, you have another to serve now." A soft, comforting voice greeted me.
"But, I've failed! I've fallen"
"Time and fate will determine if you will fail, Silverdeep. The Raven Queen is not done with you yet."
"The... the Raven Queen? But... Mari..."
"Marigold does indeed serve me, Silverdeep. Her exploits of late with you are what brought you to my attention. Though you don't see the full path ahead of you, you move toward a destiny that will serve both your world, and me."
"Wha... what must I do?"
"You will continue your quest to rescue your sibling. I cannot say if he survives, but he has not passed before me for judgement, and thus he should still live. But remember, warrior, as you travel, seek Karavakos."
"So, keep looking for Kargin? No disrespect, ma'am, but I'm afraid my massively collapsed chest may slow me down a bit." I couldn't see my chest, but I could still feel the hammer crushing my ribs to fragments, my lungs collapsing.
"You will be restored, in a fashion. Though you will resemble your former self, dwarf you will no longer be. You will be both alive and dead, yet neither. You will be an enigma in your world, and you will answer to me. Do you understand, warrior?"
"I'm afraid I don't, entirely, my queen, but I understand the debt that I now owe you. I cherish the opportunity to fulfill my destiny."
"You do, indeed, owe me. Make me proud, Kanax Silverdeep. Thwart Orcus's plans."
"I will make you proud, my queen."
"Then return, your comrades have survived their ordeal, and now they sleep. Return to them, and help them fulfill their own destinies."
I am alive.
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