Heart of the Depths

The Heart of the Depths is a translucent, blue heart-shaped gem of indeterminate composition, although it is likely a solidified form of Elemental Water. It appears to be the equivalent of a 500gp cut sapphire, but a skilled gemologist would easily be able to confirm it is not any kind of gemstone known to man. Its beauty is unquestioned, its facets unequaled and its true value inestimable.
It is a sister gemstone to the Heart of the Winds and the Heart of the Flames. When brought together with these other two gemstones in The Elemental Crown, the three Hearts fuse to become the Heart of the World.
The gem is approximately 5cm in diameter and weighs about 250 grams. There seem to be no flaws, and when peered into intently, one can barely discern a movement inside similar to a light filtering in the depths of the ocean.
When possessed by a user, it bestows the following magical abilities and effects:

• Detect Good/Evil, at will (unattuned or attuned).
• Water Breathing, 3/day (attuned)
• Speak with Animals, 2/day (attuned) - Water animals can be Spoken with 3/day (attuned)
• Wall of Water, 1/day (attuned)

In addition, after 1 week of continuous possession, the user will notice occasional puddles and drips of water will fall from their bodies and wherever they step. The water does not seem to evaporate, but instead dissolves into wisps of vapor after a day. After 1 month of continuous possession, the user will be able to control nearby bodies of water to move about in tendril- or tentacle-shaped masses, which can grapple and restrain at a distance of 30'. The ability is lost and the time reset if the user gives the Heart to another person, it is stolen or destroyed, or it is left behind.

Significance

The Heart of the Depths was created by, and is consecrated to, the god Each-Uisge . As such, it is as much a part of the Elemental Plane of Water as it is of the Prime Material Plane.

History

Since its creation, the Heart resided with its two counterparts as components of The Elemental Crown. As a result of The Elemental Sundering, all three Hearts were removed from the crown and secreted away at the command of each god's High Cleric with a champion, who had instructions to hide it until such time as they could be reunited.
The High Cleric of Eachism at that time was a High Elf male named Vossamer. His champion was his brother, Merakrell, also a High Elf male and a ranking general in their army. Marakrell declined to drink the Potion of Longevity, due to his already enhanced lifespan, and pocketed the draught before taking the Heart with him back to the Elven Kingdom of the North. He stored the Heart as well as the Potion in the basement of a building in the small town of Barovia, in the northernmost reaches of Melas. Unfortunately, a powerful warlord took over the town and Merakrell was killed attempting to retrieve the Heart. The borders of Barovia have mysteriously closed and the Heart is still believed to remain hidden away in the town to this day.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Rarity

Unique

Weight

250g

Dimensions

5cm diameter

Base Price

500gp apparent, priceless actual