You rest for the night, returning to the government house the next morning. Eamon and Kurvis attempt their protection prayers again, and this time, the spells take effect. You'll be able to talk to Eliza and Rayland for a few minutes before the domination effect resumes!
Eliza remains stoically silent, but Rayland mumbles around his gag and struggles in his bonds, seemingly eager to speak.
Breathing a deep sigh of relief as the spell actually takes hold, and seeing that Eliza is clearly less than willing to talk, Gideon removes Rayland's gag and pulls the blindfold off of his eyes, but doesn't yet remove his bonds.
"First off, calm down. You're in the colony. Second, I'm sorry for the beating we gave you...both of you...but you were clearly not yourself. Third...what in the name of all the goodly gods happened?"
"Don't apologize," Rayland says gruffly. "We don't have a lot of time while my mind is free. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much about what happened. There are large gaps in my memory. I know Eliza found that tower and came back to the colony...changed. Even beyond being mentally controlled. When our captor found out about your arrival on the island, it was Eliza's idea to lure some of you to the tower. Don't trust her.
"I don't know what the thing that did to us even looks like, but it can control us from a great distance and it knows everything that we know. I don't know what it wants. I don't know what happened to the other colonists, or if they're even alive. But I don't want to be used to hurt anybody again. Please, make sure it doesn't make me hurt anybody!"
"We'll do everything we can, Rayland. I give you my word. Do you know if the mental control ever wears off? Were you ever taken somewhere to have the influence re-asserted?"
"I don't know. I can't remember."
Gideon knows that most spells of domination last for several days, but they must be renewed or they will eventually wear off.
"Alright. Well..from what I know about domination effects, they will last for several days, but they have to be renewed or they'll wear off. We may have to keep you boxed up for a while, but you'll be free of it sooner or later, Rayland." Gideon reassures him.
"What about the other colonists? Do you recall anything about them?" Weyve asks carefully. "You might not remember what happened, but if you recall anything that was going on in the colony before they disappeared, that might give us a clue."
Rayland shakes his head. "All I remember is that Eliza came back acting strangely. I went to confront her about what she found in the tower, and the next thing I recall is being forced to follow her to the tower to enact her scheme."
"I guess we need to keep you guys incarcerated for now, and find a way to figure out when the spell wears off so we can let you out again," says Tobar. He scratches his chin for a moment, then says, "We gotta make sure that nobody accidentally lets them out, if they try to trick one o' the townsfolk into thinking they're cured when they aren't."
Weyve turns to Eamon and Kurvis.
"Whenever anyone comes in to see either of these two, make sure they are under a protection from evil spell themselves. I have learned the spell now so you can have someone fetch me rather than cast it yourselves. But if you can begin preparing detect evil that would be good in the future."
The clerics nod. "We'll try this again tomorrow," Kurvis says.
The next day, you return to the prisoners. Eamon's eyes glow with a soft golden light as he studies their auras. "I don't see any evil around Rayland, but Eliza's definitely got a faint stain on her soul." the half-elf says.
"Let's see if Abadar can confirm the truth of their words," Kurvis says. After eventually breaking through the domination again, he casts another spell. For a brief moment, Rayland's image is overlaid with that of a partially mechanical creature of law--an inevitable--confirming the truthtelling prayer is in effect. You repeat your questions from yesterday, and Rayland answers the same way. He's telling the truth.
Kurvis casts the spell on Eliza, and you see her grit her teeth as she tries to resist it. The image of the inevitable appears again. For the next few minutes, she won't be able to lie, but the spell won't force her to answer any questions.
Gideon kneels down in front of Eliza, just watching her for a moment before speaking, trying to notice any facial cues; just because she can't verbally lie doesn't mean she can't reveal more with how she answers the questions.
After those few moments, he begins speaking, the tone of his voice not accusatory, but inquisitive and even symathetic.
"Well, Eliza...here's your chance. You've heard what Rayland has had to say, and we know he's being honest. We've seen that there is, at least in some measure, a taint on your soul. You have a chance, here and now, to begin the cleansing process. We all make regrettable decisions, things we would take back, if we could walk the road of life again. Unfortunately, that is not an option we have...but we can try to make our wrongs right, as much is within our power."
"Whatever happened to you out there, whatever you've seen, whatever you've done, you've a rare chance to start undoing it. To protect those of us who are here now from whatever horrors you've been witness to and a victim of. I'm not going to try and force you to talk. What I will do, though, is ask that you please talk to us and tell us what we can do to help you recover, and what we all can do to make sure the people here stay safe. Please, Eliza."
Eliza smirks. "It's true I have regrets. I regret all the time I wasted before I went to the tower. My life was filled with loneliness, which is why I signed up to join the colony in the first place. But I never knew what I was missing until I unlocked that prison and let it out. My master saved me. It obliterated my old self, uplifted me, granting me the power and confidence to finally take charge of my life. And all it cost was my willing obedience.
"You see, I don't need your help. You are the ones who are going to need all the help you can get. Sooner or later, my master will come for you. And on that day, in the moments before your gruesome deaths, you will know what true glory feels like."
Taking a leap of faith, Gideon questions further.
"I don't suppose this aboleth master of yours has a name, does it?"
"You are not worthy to know its name," Eliza sneers.
Gideon nods to the response, having expected it from the moment he asked it; he was really only trying to find out if she would confirm that their ultimate enemy was, in fact, an aboleth.
"Alright guys. Learned what I wanted. Your turn." he says to the others.
Walking back to Ramona, he whispers to her,"We've gotta find someplace to put her that she won't hear or see anything that's going on in the colony proper. For all we know, the aboleth she is pawn to can use her senses as its own. We have to keep it as in the dark as we can. And pray that it doesn't see the need to deal with us immediately."
"We're not really equipped to hold prisoners here long-term," Ramona says with a frown. "We'd have to build a special facility for her. And she'll need constant attention to make sure she doesn't die from her skin drying out."
Gideon nods, frowning himself. "Well...I hate to even bring it up, really, but...there is another option. She is clearly acting in the interest of a hostile power, she has threatened the lives of everyone here, forced Rayland to act against his will. Based on what we've heard from her, she's not going to change. She will continue to act in the aboleth's interest, no matter what we do." he says, then sighs deeply.
"I imagine any good court of law in the world would say that her actions warrant...well...capital punishment. Loathe though I am to suggest it, as you said, we haven't the resources to hold her indefinitely and the longer we try, the more likely she is to harm the colony or its settlers. If the options are to execute her or risk the safety and welfare of every other person in the colony...I'm sorry, but I think the better choice is obvious."
"It's a fair point... she was not under domination at that point. Those were her own words."
Weyve shakes his head.
"I don't like the idea of killing prisoners, but she is very dangerous. The slightest slip and she could get out and cause a great deal of havoc."
"She is essentially an enemy spy. She was hoping to infiltrate the colony here, to what dire purpose I am not sure. But it can't have been good."
"Under Andoren law, espionage is punishable by imprisonment. And conspiracy to commit treason carries the death penalty," Kurvis says grimly.
"Whoa, surely there is something more we can do before we just kill her!" Eamon protests. "Perhaps we could send her back to Almas on the next supply ship? Accompanied by some well-trained soldiers, of course. By then the domination effect will have worn off, and when they arrive back in Andoran, she can face trial for her crimes. The high priests in the capital might even be able to heal whatever damage her so-called master did to her and possibly rehabilitate her."
"Ever the optimist, Father Easy," Kurvis grumbles.
Ramona chews her bottom lip and turns to you. "It's your call. I'll support whatever decision you make."
"Ramona, how long do we have until the next supply ship arrives?"
"It should be here in another twelve days."
Gideon thinks for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before he answers.
"If it were going to be weeks, I would say it was too much of a risk. Twelve days, though...I don't know. Psychic powers are completely beyond my experience and all it would take is a single slip-up in a that two weeks to ruin us all." he says, looking back toward the others.
"I feel like we need to ask Rayland his thoughts. He is the one who has been most impacted by Eliza and everything that's happened. That he'll be able to give us more insight into the right decision. He was the leader of that expedition, after all."
When you are able to suppress the domination effect and speak to Rayland again, he frowns with concern. "I don't know if outright execution is warranted. I knew Eliza before this change in her demeanor. She wasn't like this. Something happened that altered her very nature, and I wonder if there's some way to restore her previous self. Assuming it's not a risk to the colony, my vote would be to send her back to Andoran. And it might be best if I go with her as well. I was the leader of our people here, and I failed them. I don't know if I deserve to stay here."
Tobar thinks a bit, then finally says, "Yeah. Send 'er back to Andoran. They're better equipped to find a way to fix whatever changed her. Just gotta be really careful about her journey on the ship."
Gideon gives a nod. "Alright. I think that's the better option, myself. We have to make absolutely sure she can't escape in that twelve days, though. We must take every precaution we possibly can, and make sure that the crew of the ship is well aware of the danger she poses as well."
"All it will take is a stray gaze and she can kill with a thought. It's a big risk."
Weyve rubs his chin for a moment, lost in thought.
"Her abilities require her mind to be clear though. Perhaps we can drug her? I may be able to come up with something... let me work on it."
Weyve returns to his workspace and tries to see if there is anything local that he can use to create some kind of narcotic that produces emotional effects, hallucinations, or... whatever.
With the ingredients on hand, Weyve is able to devise a variant type of dreamtime tea that can put the imbiber to sleep for several hours at a time. Enough doses should addle Eliza's senses and keep her disoriented enough that she won't be able to cast psychic spells for the duration of the voyage. The alchemist Alba Divenvaar should have enough reagents to make the tea.
Tobar nods his approval. "Smart. I like it."
With the current situation well in hand, he decides to check in on his erstwhile apprentice and make sure that the town itself is continuing to thrive.
Tobar finds Machi at the smithy, working alongside Luetin. She takes a break to greet the crossbowman.
"Glad you made it back from the tower in one piece. Everybody's talking about the people you brought back with you. Ramona's kept them locked up tight since you returned. Doesn't seem like a good sign for us. We're not in danger here, are we?"
Himself satisfied with the solution of keeping Eliza sedated until they can get her on the supply ship, voicing his approval with this solution alongside Tobar's, Gideon takes a moment to inquire of Ramona. "Well...it seems this situation is in hand, but our return to the colony wasn't exactly under cover. A lot of people saw us coming with Eliza and Rayland trussed up. You might want to call a town meeting and give them some kind of information about what happened. Not the whole story, with the known presence of an aboleth and all, but enough to hopefully let them know that, at least for the moment, there is no immediate danger."
He also speaks to both her and Rayland about the spirit of Silas in the chapel. "I'm sorry to bring this up to you, Rayland, but...there is the spirit of a man named Silas in the chapel. We found his body hidden there. We gave him a proper burial, but he was insistent that it was you that killed him...likely under the influence of either Eliza or the aboleth. I think it would be a good idea for you to go to the chapel and tell him you're sorry. I'll go ahead of you and explain to him what happened before you, of course, but...it may be the only way to let him rest in peace."
Ramona recognizes the wisdom of Gideon's suggestion. "I'll gather everybody tonight and try to put their anxieties to rest."
When the bard tells Rayland about Silas, the Eagle Knight looks crestfallen. "Silas Weatherbee. He is--was a good man. I don't know if I killed him or not, but either way, he deserved a better fate. I will talk to him."
Accompanied by Gideon and Eamon Caranth, Rayland steps into the chapel. Immediately, an anguished howl fills the air as the skeletal spirit of Silas becomes visible. "Rayland! Why? Why did you kill me?" he howls.
Rayland stands firm in the face of the apparition's wrath. "I don't know, Silas. I have been under the mental control of a monster. Gaps are missing from my memories. I cannot give an explanation for what happened to you."
"You stabbed me and left me to die!" Silas shouts. Several holy books begin to fly off their pews and circle around in the air.
"I just organized those!" Eamon protests quietly.
"It's possible, but if I did, I was not in control of my actions. I always respected you, Silas. I am sorry this happened to you. But I think your anger is keeping you bound to this place. You deserve the chance to move on to the next world." Rayland bows his head.
Silas's anger seems to falter in the face of Rayland's calm demeanor. "You... You did not act like this when we fought. Could it be? Do you speak the truth."
"Yes, my friend," says Rayland. "I will seek atonement for my sins. I will help to make right everything that went wrong here. Please, go in peace. Take the rest your spirit deserves."
There is a pause. The books floating in the air gradually settle back to the floor. "I am so tired, Rayland... So very tired... Perhaps.... Some rest will do me good..."
The voice fades like a whisper on the breeze. The oppressive presence in the chapel dissipates. It seems Silas's spirit has at last departed.
Tobar is glad to see Machi and says, "I've been working on a few new tricks for the crossbows, I'll show you when we have a little time - just a slight change to the stock. A little faster to make."
He gives Luetin a neighborly nod as well. "Hope business is off to a decent start. I 'spect as people need new homes there will be demand for planes and nails and files."
~~~~~~~~~~
Tobar watches uncomfortably as the scene unfolds between the ghost and the Eagle Knight. He shifts from foot to foot, clearly unsure of how to react, but a look of relief washes over his face as the poltergeist finally takes its leave.
With Silas's ghost put to rest, Gideon returns to Ramona, breathing a sigh of relief, to inform her that Silas's spirit will not trouble the chapel any more, that he has moved on to his final rest. "So...that was one unsolved puzzle that we needn't worry about anymore. We've worked out how to keep Eliza sedated until they get her back to the mainland. Is there anything else that we need to get handled before we have the town meeting? Regarding Rayland, I think it's a good idea to let him go back with Eliza. It isn't that I don't trust him; fully the opposite, in fact. I just think that he's had to go through a great deal recently and if his wish is to go back to the mainland, we shouldn't try to stand in his way."
Luetin returns Tobar's nod. "Yep, lotsa work to be done! It's pretty nice being the main blacksmith here. Got the market cornered! Gonna send away for a nice new set of hammers on the next supply ship."
---
"I agree with you," Ramona says. "I had hoped Rayland would want to stay on to assist me in governing the colony, but I respect his decision to return to Andoran. I don't think there's anything more I need from you right now. I'm going to prepare my speech for tonight."
---
That night, Ramona gathers the colonists by the central fire pit in the palisade. She stands on the wooden platform to address the crowd.
"There's been a lot of rumors going around about the people we brought back the other day. I'd like to take some time to explain what's going on.
"Following an attack by aquatic humanoids, our colony's troubleshooters tracked them to a tower north of here. They eliminated the menacing creatures, and in the process discovered two of the missing colonists from the first wave of settlers: Eliza Haniver and Rayland Arkley. Unfortunately, both are suffering from a malady that affects their bodies and minds. We have kept them locked up for both their safety and ours. We believe in a few days' time, their mental state will return to normal, but their physical ailment will require powerful magic to treat. As such, they will be returning to Andoran once the supply ship arrives.
"We still don't know the fate of the other ninety-eight colonists. But all fifty of us are safe here. Thanks to the efforts of Calvin, Gideon, Tobar, and Weyve, there is no immediate danger to Talmandor's Bounty. Can I guarantee that danger will not arise in the future? No. But we all knew that forging a settlement in the ruins of Azlant wasn't going to be easy. If we wanted to avoid danger and risk, we all would have stayed in Almas.
"These four men have proven themselves strong, resourceful, and brave. I am confident that they can assist us in defeating any dangers that might arise. With all of us working together towards our common purpose, Talmandor's Bounty will survive. It will thrive. Have faith, be good to each other, and let's make this place our home."
Ramona steps down to scattered cheers and applause. A few of the colonists still look uneasy, though. It's going to be hard to completely assuage everybody's fears.
Weyve claps enthusiastically after Ramona's speech. If anyone approaches him afterward to talk about his exploits or how they were done, he smiles, and says, "Teamwork. That's what's most important. " Weyve nods. "When people work together to achieve something, big tasks become small."
Later on, he approaches some of the academics in the colony.
"While we were exploring, we found a couple of animated statues. We spoke with them, and they had a great desire to teach. They served a goddess named Acavna, if I recall correctly, and were quite eager to teach us the lore of this goddess. From what we could tell the deity was a good-willed one."
"We promised to return and take instruction from them later. I'd hate to disappoint them. But it occurred to me that such information could be transcribed into a book, and might be of considerable value back home, particularly to those interested in Azlanti culture and religion. It would be worth sending scribes to write down what they have to say. After a time, we might even persuade these creatures to come to Talmandor's Bounty and set up here."
Carver Hastings and Perrell Beys listen to Weyve with great interest.
"I think learning all we can from these constructs is a great idea," Carver says. "They represent an incredible source of history and lore. Perhaps we might even be able to persuade them to travel to Absalom. I'm sure there are many people interested in learning more about Acavna at the Pathfinder Grand Lodge."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Carver," Perrell gently admonishes him. "I would be happy to transcribe their teachings when I am not otherwise occupied by my duties in the colony."
Gideon applauds himself after Ramona's speech to the colonists, glad that, for the moment, things have settled down. Hearing Carver and Perrell discussing the constructs they found, Gideon adds his own bit of information, letting Carver see the notes he had scribbled down in his journal before they were forced to move on and find the tower.
"I tried to convince them to come back to the colony to continue their teaching, but they refused; apparently that area is a holy site to Acavna. You might have more luck convincing them to join us back here than we did. I think it's at least worth trying."
"In the meantime, I don't mind letting you hang on to my notebook so you can copy any information you want out of it. I can get it back from you in a day or two, when you're finished."
Once he is through passing his notebook off, he goes to find Kulena, checking to see how she has been while they have been gone and to make sure that she isn't one of the settlers feeling uneasy about what Ramona told them.
"Or we can just leave the constructs there," says Tobar. "They're built to just preach endlessly and they might be dangerous if people try to leave. In fact as I recall we promised them that we would come back and they might be hostile if we don't."
Carver thanks Gideon for the notes before the bard goes to find Kulena. The blonde woman smiles warmly when she sees Gideon.
"I'm glad you came back to me. I know there's nothing to worry about as long as you're around to fight the monsters and protect the colony." She lowers her eyes and brushes back a few long strands of hair coquettishly.
Gideon gives Kulena a warm smile of his own, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. "Well...I don't think I could have any stronger motivation to come back safe than you. I'm very happy that you have such faith in us. We; that is, I...will do everything I can to live up to it."
Kulena blushes. "I, um, I'm going to cook up a pot of stew tonight. I'm not sure if I'll be able to eat all of it on my own. Do you want to share it with me?"
"I think that sounds fantastic! I would very much like to have dinner with you tonight." he answers, trying not to sound overly excited.
"Great! I mean, um, I'll see you tonight then." Kulena smiles and quickly hurries off to her house.
Gideon smiles and bids her farewell as she hurries to her house, then returns to the others, a broad grin on his face. "Hey guys! Guess what? I've got a date tonight!"
"Hey, raise you're hand if you're surprised!" says Tobar to Gideon with a grin. "Anyone? Anyone? Nope. Have a good time, I hope!"
"I gotta catch up on work," he adds. "These crossbows aren't gonna finish themselves. That would be a neat trick... self-winding crossbow... ehhh, I'll worry about that some other time."