Sir Stumps was a Knight in the Neran Virtori Order of holy knights. He was sent to the port town of Gull's Rest to investigate rumors of a dark presence, and report back his findings. People were apparently washing up on the shores, dead. Gull's Rest wasn’t a well known town, and those who did know of it knew it was a place where civilized people stayed clear. Sir Stumps was not pleased to be tasked with going to such a dirty little port town. He had plans for greater things! He wanted riches and glory! However, he would have to resign himself to his current paltry task of basic detective work. He didn’t personally believe anything evil was afoot.

  It wasn’t long before he arrived in Gull's Rest. It was a disgusting town. Drunkards lined the main street. The first building Sir Stumps passed was clearly a brothel. It was a place of Vices only. An evil place. He started to believe the Council was right to send him here. He nipped into the nearest pub and had a seat at the bar. He declined a drink, and sat to listen. He heard all kinds of tales of horror! This town was a cesspit! Tales of pirates, sharks, and woolly whales sinking boats! Blasphemy! Not a single word of Virtue was spoken! He felt he was among savages. Just when he thought he could take no more, he heard something of interest.

  “Did ya hear that old Jenkins was killed the other day. Poor sod was found washed up on the beach, with his chest crushed in, just like the rest. Must’ve been one hell of a fish to do some damage like that!”

  That was it. The evil hanging over this town was a fish monster in the bay! That would explain the washed up deaths. He decided to interrogate the man. After some terse questioning, the man told Sir Stumps that for many months a terrible beast had been plaguing the town, and eating fishermen in the bay. Sometimes these fishermen would wash up with crushed chests, as if exposed to great pressure. Fishing was their main income, so this beastie was hurting the town’s already weak economy. Sir Stumps thanked the savage, and left the pub in search of a boat. He was going to save this town by slaying the monster, and then bringing them the holy word of the Virtues!

  Sir Stumps clunked down the street in his metal knight armor. He made his way to the dock, and looked for the nearest fishermen. He hailed one of the rugged looking sailors, and asked him if he’d take him out on the bay to look for the monster. The mann rejected, but after Sir Stumps offered some money, allowed the knight to take his small lugger. With a boat, Sir Stumps then set about gathering gear to fight the monster. He went to the general store, which happened to be on the dock. He bought a length of rope, a hook, and some other miscellaneous gear to fish for the monster. His last purchase was a hunk of Trison meat that was just about to expire. He tossed the gear into the boat, and started sailing out into the bay.

  It was getting late in the day, and the sun hung low over the horizon. Sir Stumps set up his makeshift monster fishing tackle, and cast the large chunk of Trison meat out into the briny waters. Many hours passed, and nothing happened. Sir Stumps was determined though. He persisted, checking his line to make sure the meat hadn’t fallen off. It was nighttime now, and the full moon rose high in the sky. Everything was still. No wind blew, and the strong smell of fish and saltwater hung in the air. A thin sea fog rolled in off the ocean, and covered the bay. Sir Stumps shivered the cool night air off. Salt had begun to crust on his armor, and so he removed the upper portions of his gear to wrap them in cloth. As he removed the armor, the makeshift monster fishing pole twitched! He yanked the rope, and the rope yanked back. He had hooked something! He grabbed the rope, still wearing his gauntlets, and started to haul the beast aboard! In his excitement, he did not notice the rope wrapping around his feet! Suddenly, the rope yanked out of his hands, and began to spool off into the bay! Sir Stumps tried to grab on, but his foot was wrapped up in rope, and he went over the edge!

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  With a splash he was in the bay, being pulled down into the depths. He held his breath, still determined to free himself! As he was pulled farther and farther into the inky depths, he began to despair! He could not reach the small knife in his boot! Just as he was about to give up, and release his breath to return to the Virtues, he saw a glowing light! He held his breath longer, starting to see stars. The pressure was starting to crush him. As he drew nearer the light, he made out a horrible figure! A withered and feral looking mermaid was floating near a glowing orb! The light cast by the orb faded rapidly in the dark depths, and hid the monstrous fish pulling Sir Stumps!

  The Sea Witch pulled Sir Stumps close, and kissed him! Her cold fish lips encapsulated his, and he could breath! With a heavy sigh, Sir Stumps reached down and got his small boot knife! He brandished it wildly at the Sea Witch! She scoffed at him, and pointed to the orb. He didn’t understand.

  “You are cursed to defend this, the Orb of the Deep for eternity! You are now the Deep One!. You must fill the Orb of the Deep with souls of those from the surface, and you may never set foot on dry land again!” And with that the Sea Witch cackled a horrible cackle. Sir Stumps wailed a lament! He had not only failed to save the town, but he had fallen into evil! He tried to swim to the surface! He found swimming was easier, and soon was at the surface. His head broke through the water, and he was horrified! He couldn’t breath! The air would not fill his lungs! He gasped and clawed at his throat, before he fell back under the water and breathed heavily. He knew it. He really was cursed. Anger flowed through his veins. Those wretched townsfolk! They did this to him! It’s their fault! If they didn’t attract the Sea Witch, he wouldn’t have been sent and subsequently cursed!

  He swam back down to the glowing orb, grumbling his plots for revenge on the town. He tried to look for the Sea Witch, but she was nowhere to be found. He was quite angry, and vowed to get his revenge on both the Witch, and the town!

  So it is said on the docks of Gull's Rest, that one moonless nights, when the fog rolls in off the sea, and the bay is silent and still, the Deep One rises from the depths with his evil fish monster, and grabs hapless fishermen and drags them to their doom!