Session 14: Into the Deep Part 3

The Descent

Having secured the aid of Illiandra, Pirestess of Ul-oo-thee the group prepare for their descent into the ocean. An ancient stone block infused with Maels power provides the means for the ship to pass safely through the ocean and Assamber imbues the group with the ability to breathe and act underwater.

The ship descends into the inky blackness of the depths, far below the reach of sunlight. Strange shapes flicker past, giant fish and squid but they remain unharmed. The Temple of Mael lies near the bottom of a great trench, a spire of crystal and coral surrounded by the decaying remains of a cyclopian city. A great civilisation once thrived here but now it is gone, only the fishes and the Mael cultists remain.

Their arrival is noted and shark riding sauhghin shadow their approach. It also seems they are expected as they are greeted by Gnomen, High Priest of Mael is waiting for them. A stranger creature they have rarely seen, skin covered in fish scales, a beard of kelp and fins and gills decorate his body. He is attended by slimy Kuo Toan priests and welcomes Assamber as a brother priest. News of his apostacy it seems has not travelled this far.

The group are feted by the priests, provided with fine quarters and shown the beautiful undersea gardens. They begin putting out feelers for where the Heart of Mael might be found and locate it within the Inner Sanctum, a place they are forbidden from entering.

The Plan

The Sanctum is guarded, physically and magically. Giant crab warriors stand guard outside and the power of Mael dwells within. The group dont want to have to fight their way in and then out again. They don't trust Gnomen but need to get the Heart. He isn't likely to just let them in and take it.

They come up with a cunning plan. Artemis will use the Hat of Disguise to mimic the corpse of Agran Treshk, a child of Mael the group slew back in the City of Kings. Assamber will ask for permission to inter him in the Inner Sanctum. Gnomen tries to refuse, he is evasive and shifty but ultimately cannot deny them. Treshk was a true blooded child of his God and his due all the proper funery rites. The group decide that once the coffin is intered Artemis will be able to sneak out and steal the gem.

The procession enters the inner temple and the doors clang shut. As Gnomen begins the ritual one thing becomes clear, the Heart of Mael, which should be set in the head of his statue is missing. Assamber protests, Gnomen insists it has been removed to a safe place while they are at war with the Lokarnos. Assamber presses, demanding to know where the Heart is. Gnomen rebuffs him. The two come to blows and all hell breaks loose.

The guards and priests charge to attack but are quickly cut down. Gnomen is pressed by Assambers sorcery while he tries to dessicate him. The rest of the group is about to intervene when another foe enters the fray. A cloaked figure claiming to be the Prophet of Mael demands they stop and mind blasts half the group. As battle rages the creature advances on Morn, its veil dropping to reveal a Mind Flayer, it latches onto his head with its tentacles and begins to try and chew through his thick skull. Everything goes black for Morn and he will play little part in the rest of the battle.

Things are looking bad but they are about to get worse. An enormous shadow passes across the crystal window of the inner fane which implodes, a mass of tentacles rake the room grabbing anything they can find and dragging them towards the waiting maw of the Kraken.

Finally Assambers sorcery overcomes Gnomen and the mind flayer Zadrus tries to flee. Assamber pursues him with his implacable hand of ice grabbing him and halting his escape. As the group scatter for the exit Assamber feeds the Flayer into the mouth of the Kraken.

Freed of the flayers influence Gnomen admits that he gave the Heart to the Lich Vedris, a daughter of Mael, one time Priestess of Ul-oo-thee and ruler of the City Ship Maelstrom which was destroyed in a storm over two years ago. She lives now in sunken caverns beneath the Temple.

The group must penetrate her defences and find Vedris before she completes whatever she is doing with the Heart.