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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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had lain there, or really what had happened that I would leave a severed<br />

arm <strong>to</strong> the depths <strong>of</strong> these catacombs. Again I felt the need <strong>to</strong> deliver it <strong>to</strong><br />

Fell for analysis.<br />

"What <strong>do</strong> you know <strong>of</strong> this 'civilization?'" I asked Soego later on.<br />

He thum<strong>be</strong>d through his book, "They have <strong>be</strong>en here many centuries, I<br />

think, taking care <strong>of</strong> those that have passed away in their halls. Such<br />

devotion <strong>to</strong> duty is no longer necessary... it is almost a crime."<br />

Morte growled, "You just want <strong>to</strong> kill them. Sentience threatens the<br />

Dustmen."<br />

"Tell me about the Silent King."<br />

He looked at me, eyes peering over the edge like an intrigued preda<strong>to</strong>r, "I<br />

have never seen the Silent King. I wish I could tell you something about him,<br />

but I have never seen him. Presumably, his throne room lies <strong>be</strong>yond the<br />

crimson <strong>do</strong>ors, but I can<strong>not</strong> gain entrance... Hargrimm, the skele<strong>to</strong>n priest,<br />

will <strong>not</strong> let me."<br />

"And Hargrimm?"<br />

He sighed, "A stubborn one, but admirable in his piety and devotion <strong>to</strong> duty.<br />

He is my strongest rival here, and he has kept this civilization <strong>to</strong>gether for<br />

many years. His passions stem from his piety and devotion <strong>to</strong> duty...<br />

admirable qualities, but misplaced."<br />

And when we finished chatting, he left <strong>to</strong> proselytize the word <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Dustmen for yet a<strong>not</strong>her day.<br />

On the third day we had recovered enough <strong>to</strong> venture out and take a look at<br />

this nation ourselves. While Dak'kon remained in meditation, Morte and I<br />

stepped out <strong>of</strong> our cell.<br />

The heart <strong>of</strong> the Dead Nations was a temple <strong>of</strong> iron and s<strong>to</strong>ne. The familiar,<br />

ornate s<strong>to</strong>nework was well-kept and polished here. Whereas the rest <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Nation was built in chaotic and desperate patterns <strong>of</strong> violet and blue, the<br />

floors were tiled in <strong>be</strong>autiful, ordered precision, as if the temple was built<br />

first and the rest <strong>of</strong> the Nation had <strong>to</strong> make <strong>do</strong> on the scraps <strong>of</strong> color<br />

remaining. While the temple was dark, dismal, and hollow as a <strong>to</strong>mb, there<br />

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