Waking to Misery

Waking to Misery is the opening quest of Act 1. This is the first quest in the game, given by Hangman Jarvis in Devil's Crossing.

Background
The player character, known as "the Taken", is one of many humans possessed by an Aetherial. This particular Aetherial vessel has been captured by the people of Devil's Crossing, contained by the wards cast by their mage Sahdina, and sentenced to death by hanging, as all Taken are. When the Aetherial who had possessed the player character flees their body before the vessel dies in the noose, Captain John Bourbon spares the life of the protagonist, who is now back to being a human.

When the Taken regains consciousness, they find themself standing in a rune-covered magical circle surrounded by a ring of salt, near a broken noose. Hangman Jarvis, who is standing nearby, informs the protagonist of their former possession, and that Captain Bourbon wishes to speak to them.

Objectives

 * Speak to Captain John Bourbon at Devil's Crossing.
 * Enter the Cave under Burial Hill.
 * Kill Kyzogg the Reanimator.
 * Return to Captain John Bourbon.

Guide
The captain is located in the courtyard of Devil's Crossing prison, a short distance from Hangman Jarvis. Talk to him, and he will explain that something is reanimating the dead with Aetherial energy and that he would like you to put a stop to it.

After talking to Bourbon, head north across the bridge and make your way through the ruins of Lower Crossing, following the directions given by Bourbon. Eventually the Lower Crossing Riftgate can be found by a fork in the road, and activated. Follow the road left and up Burial Hill to the cave entrance.

Once you have entered The Burial Cave, find and kill the boss creature Kyzogg the Reanimator. He is located in the south-east corner of the cave, and can summon a number of minions; these are best thinned out or separated from Kyzogg.

After killing the Reanimator, report back to the Captain to claim the reward.

Video Guide: shorturl.at/cstFQ

Rewards
After completing this quest, John Bourbon will offer you the Helping Out quest.

Also, Rook the Gatekeeper will now permit access to the prison interior and the NPCs who reside within.

Outcome
The death of Kyzogg the Reanimator means that the walking dead's relentless assault on the old prison has become much more manageable. The Taken has earned recognition, if not trust, among the people of Devil's Crossing, and is immediately sent by Captain Bourbon to help out the settlement further.