Upon waking up in the Old Temple – Moira a few minutes later than the others – the head priest at the Temple of Varoona congratulated them for their successful completion of the Old Temple. Growth and self-discovery is a continual journey and the Old Temple just one indication of your progress. As such, failure is not the end.
Moira revealed that it seems Portia is the Goddess of the Sea herself, Varoona. She also expressed confusion and uncertainty regarding what god to serve. The Widow accused her of cheating on Caliban. Rani and The Widow suggested talking to both gods, especially if Varoona is still Portia and hanging around the Temple. The High Priestess was also suggested. Rani told Moira that, if and when she goes to speak with the High Priestess, she should think about what The Widow would do... and do the opposite. Moira decided to send a message to Yue.
Rani ("The Rock") Al-Himma asked the priest about any peculiar occurrences with oddly cannabilistic animals or shady people. Besides the species that regularly practice cannibalism, the priest hasn't noticed any animals acting strange, nor could he recall seeing a blond woman.
The trio from the Deep End discussed their answer to the Old Temple and, given Moira's mild distress, chose to partake in float therapy. After the acolyte switched the lights to a slow pulse between purple and teal and dropping in a Eucalyptus bath bomb, the trio had one hour to all float in the water and talk about their emotions.
Rani opened up about her past and how she acquired the swarm. She is descended from a tribe of nomads who are of "two gods". Her mother's people were refugees from The Wasteland - what used to be the domain of Judas. She worked for a professor who had developed the ability to ward off the effects of the Wasteland, which allowed her and her research team to explore a set of ruins. It was there that Rani found the map and diary... and Alhaya and Almawt found her soon after... and the swarm has grown ever since.
Moira was incredibly confused about The Widow's timeline. Did the Widow stay because of Six? Did The Widow start cutting himself after his wife? What is The Widow's real - past - name? The Widow revealed that he stayed because of his wife and that the "home tree" is horribly upset that he left again. It seems The Widow's patron - the god of pleasure, trickery and illusion: the one and only Therarask - saved him from death. The Widow seems to think that the third times a charm regarding death.
After an hour of float therapy, the Deep End made their way to the large Keep, a magnificent structure in the center of the underwater city. There, Rani spoke with one of the merfolk entertainers, who was more than happy to fill her in on the lore and rumors of the city. Regarding the Keresello people, it is said that the first members of the species were members of Varoona's Court given life on the material plane once again, but they were allowed to keep their "animal" form. Thus, the legend explains why the Keresello are a "two-skinned" people and their diversity in appearance and longevity. King Dorephan, for example, is a massive creature for his race and has lived, at least, 400 years. King Dorephan often holds open court and is a respectable, well-loved ruler, though he wasn't always. Sotto Varoona is the largest, most prominent city, but an Abyssal Keresello city exists nearby and two other cities are also of note: the Arctic and Open Ocean cities.
The merfolk was more than happy to divulge some rumors:
- It seems a representative from Ah'Shal is here on behalf of one of the factory groups that is hoping to build a refinery outside the city.
- The people are starting to whisper about how Bert's regular inspection of the Snail Caverns is taking slightly longer than normal. Has quality really fallen that much? Still, none of the people dare enter and disturb there charming, beloved Bert.
- The Prince is a hot topic of gossip. It seems many of the King's advisors do not approve of the Prince's recent behavior and are beginning to push the king to demand the Prince's return from this "pointless adventure".
- Princess Mipha - who has been studying the healing arts in Carmenthia - is slated to return before the Games. The people are incredibly excited to see their beloved princess again.
The party met and spoke with King Dorephan. He admitted that his primary concern is dealing with the pirate activity in his waters as his past experience with pirates has left him loath to allow them a moniker of free reign. He knew very little about Olivantha, but seemed concerned when her possible connection to the pirates was implied. Regarding the odd white crystals, the old king recalled an old song inspired by the aftermath of the war with the Dread King. The song contained a verse that spoke of the sealing away of the Dread King's remnants... white crystals are mentioned. Perhaps these white crystals the party speaks of are also sealing something away?
He provided the party with the information he's acquired from his extensive network of underwater scouts (
Goddess' Bane). They've reported four active pirate fleets, none of which appear to be the Pirate Lord's personal fleet. Although Captain Lyra has been apprehended, her fleet appears to still be active. Captain Porysis - the Serpent Captain of Blades - has been sailing a broad area of the Southern Coast, presumably gathering "merchandise". The newest captain doesn't have as much of a reputation, but his fleet is known for its speed. However, at the moment, scouts report that the captain has not been sighted aboard his flagship in some time. Sightings of Madame Hai Rong's flagship are rare and sporadic. She's raised leviathans and other large ocean creatures from the depths, but has mostly stayed out at sea.
King Dorephan granted them a missive to enter the Snail Caverns.
After navigating through the snail caverns for some time, the trio ducked behind oddly empty snail tanks as voices approached. Four humanoids walked by muttering about a "captain" and "moving crates". Using a not super effective three-way mind link call paired with very aggressive hand signals in the silence of the snail caverns, the trio attempted to decide what to do: follow the four humanoids who walked by, sneak away, or keep looking for Bert? They decided to keep looking for Bert.
The party found a shriveled up elven (?) man in a cage wearing only a loincloth and cloak with shackles around his wrists. Upon noticing the not-so-stealthy Moira, he demanded to be let out and freed. He appears to be missing his cane and he'd very much like it back. He was particularly abrasive and demanding, but seemed to be impressed with Rani's digging display and with Moira. It appears that this is the "charming Bert". When the party agreed to move forward, he said "I'll be with you" and vanished into thin air.
Upon progressing forward, the trio snuck up towards a more brightly light cavern with a magically "restrained" tunnel of rapidly moving water that appears to have been recently formed. A lavishly and ostentatiously dressed man with a bedazzled hat and the largest moustache ever seen was reclining on some grates - near a "cane" of sorts - as he rambled about "When I was at the University..."
Behind him, four humanoids labored to get lids on crates secure as a familiar face hurled a sealed crate into the rapidly moving tunnel of water... Covered in a mechanical "suit" that bulks up and shields her form, Olivantha responded, annoyed: "Francis, I don't care." It appears
this is where Olivantha has been "under the sea."
Having unexpectedly found two of their quarries, the party frantically debated what to do. In this moment, Rani was very much missing her stealthy rogue buddy Newt. Moira cast sending to the King, requesting aid be sent immediately. After proclaiming her intent to find the other four and assist in their task, Olivantha began moving towards the party.
As she began to close in on them - that familiar sensation of your inner being, your soul being pulled setting in - Moira began speaking the words of a spell. Olivantha's attention immediately snapped to her and Moira heard Olivantha's voice in her head: "What are you doing here?" Moira responded simply with: "Mario sends his regards." as Moonbeam slammed down Olivantha, immediately catching the attention of the others in the room. Amidst the radiant energy of the spell, Moira saw a brief moment of sorrow pass through her eyes before she froze... rage setting in.
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