The Deep Ones: A Creature Feature

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Whispers from Y’ha-nthlei

There is a sunken city, they say, off the coast of Massachusetts. One that whispers to the denizens of Innsmouth, offering treasures of both gold and a strange, extended life. This vast, submerged metropolis of Y’ha-nthlei is the true home of the Deep Ones—the amphibious race of creatures that have stalked the shores of Innsmouth at night. The city itself is described by H.P. Lovecraft as Cyclopean in design, a term he uses to evoke an architecture so ancient, immense, and alien that it lies utterly beyond the bounds of human comprehension.

The Curse of Innsmouth: A Biological Horror

The curse that has befallen the rotting, decaying town of Innsmouth is a twofold problem, one that marries the unholy union of greed and lust. First, the Deep Ones mated with their women from time to time creating a hybrid species, resulting in amphibious looking inhabitants—a pastime they wish to continue to do. Second, with the help of the depraved sea captain Obed Marsh, whose lust for gold and power transcends any moral code, the Deep Ones have struck a bargain to cement their stranglehold on the town of Innsmouth. The results are the hideous “Innsmouth-Look,” creating humans with gills, scales, and bulbous eyes. This physical deterioration marks the inevitable transformation to becoming more like their oceanic forebears: the inhabitants of Y’ha-nthlei.

WANT TO FACE THE DEEP ONES YOURSELF?

Live the Innsmouth horror in the solo adventure, “Alone Against the Tide.”

Lords of the Abyss: Dagon and Hydra

It wouldn’t be Lovecraft without a cult, would it? Father Dagon and Mother Hydra are worshipped behind the scenes by the Esoteric Order of Dagon. While we are unsure of their origins, Dagon and Hydra are described like overgrown Deep Ones themselves, and perhaps are their Adam and Eve of this particular species. They hold court, awaiting the awakening of the Great Old Ones, especially Cthulhu who rests beneath the ocean awaiting for his return from his own city of R’lyeh . It is said that when Dagon and Hydra rise up and Cthulhu awakens the world be engulfed in a great flood before the end—a final, terrifying reward for the centuries of the Deep Ones’ unholy service.

The Sea is Never Empty

Even with Innsmouth shutdown and the Esoteric Order of Dagon seemingly disbanded, we would be remiss to consider the Deep Ones eradicated as well. They remain lurking, always, waiting for their masters to rise from the sea and take their place as new gods of man. The true terror of the Cthulhu Mythos is that is it is pervasive, we never know when the end draws nigh coming out of the depths of the black sea. Somewhere, in the dark city of Y’ha-nthlei, they endure, and the tide, as always, is slowly rising.

Essential Reading:

From the H.P. Lovecraft Archives

“The Shadow Over Innsmouth“ (The definitive Deep One story)
“Dagon” (Introduces the patron entity, Father Dagon)
“The Festival” (Mentions a certain kinship with ancient sea-things, linking them to Yule rituals. Predates the two main works, so the connection isn’t explicit)
“The Call of Cthulhu” (Cthulhu lives deep in the ocean, as one of the triad of sea gods).

Eldritch Works Beyond Lovecraft

“The Transition of Juan Romero” by Clifford M. Eddy Jr. (Contains an early mention of Deep One-like beings, written with Lovecraft’s help.)
“The Terror in the Lighthouse” by Robert Bloch (Features creatures clearly inspired by the Deep Ones and Innsmouth.)
“Innsmouth Clay“ by August Derleth (A direct sequel/addition to “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” expanding the narrative.)
“The Sect of the Idiot“ by Thomas Ligotti (A modern Mythos story that evokes the atmosphere and existential dread associated with the Deep Ones’ coastal domains.)