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"Hold up! Let's not be hasty." Kolris' right hand drifts to his mouth, his fingers playing across his lips as he thinks. "This thing is almost certainly responsible for the Aurum Death, but we don't know what destroying it could do. I know some people in Absalom that might be able to help us figure that out."
He bends down near the tiny creature. "It's just a little poppet, and its influence here is ended regardless. Let's bring it back with us... carefully, of course... and let brighter minds determine its fate."
While not certain if the investigator is being magically manipulated, Esper is confident that he is in possession of his own mind.
Sense Enchantment: You can tell that someone’s behavior is being influenced by an enchantment effect even if that person isn’t aware of it. The usual DC is 25, but if the target is dominated (see dominate person), the DC is only 15 because of the limited range of the target’s activities.
You are certain acid or fire would melt it, especially after being dismembered.
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It's not difficult to read the suspicion in the look in Esper's eyes. "Worry not, my interest is only for study. My mind is my own, and this doll will ultimately reach an end it deserves. I believe there is much we can learn about the magic behind it--and this disease--but the poppet must remain intact for us to do so." He pauses, looking all in the eyes to ensure that they can see the clarity of his mind and purpose.
"We end the threat of any further Aurum Death in this city by removing the poppet. In fact, I think we've already ended the threat. I will take responsibility for the poppet, and take appropriate precautions on the return journey to ensure that we don't restart the infection on our ship or in any ports along the way. I will personally put it in the hands of trusted and careful researchers in the Grand Lodge, that the Pathfinder Society may learn more about this new magical disease. "
He concludes with an appeal to the Society's stated objectives. "There could be no better way to Report than with original evidence, no?"
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I'll come with you, so, until the puppet is put away. not because I Don't trust your motive but because I fear it could manage to escape. It's hopefully better to learn what we can about that magical disease before we destroy this..thing. I don' want it to create more undead, and I'll be honored if I'm allowed to smash and burn it when it will overcome its usefulness. Now, sorry, but I have yet another thing to do
Erhun walks toward the cut in half ghoul, and sits on the bloody ground, before starting to pray for the unholy's creature soul so it can finally rest in peace
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"Study is important, of course. When lives aren't at stake. Destroying this poppet will kill all of the undead created as a result of the disease, and it will prevent any afflicted with the disease from turning into undead." She raises an eyebrow at Kolris. "Is your desire to study this doll honestly more important than the lives of those afflicted who will soon die and rise as undead, and more important than killing all the undead left in this doll's wake that we haven't found?"
"If that is your opinion in your right mind I highly question both your morality and judgement. Studying it is not worth the death. Destroying it can save lives."
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Kolris, having bent down to begin preparing the poppet for transport in accordance with what seemed to be the apparent consensus of the group, wheels and stands at Esper's words, approaching the mesmerist with anger in his eyes. "Calm your tongue! 'Morality and judgement,' you say; these are not absolutes! Who are you to say what is moral and just? Aroden reborn? Did I miss the announcement of your Test of the Starstone?" He stops a pace away from her and continues. "Both paths here are moral and just; I argue for a greater good to be realized later, with a deeper understanding. You wish to save a few lives today. What is moral for the few you want to save today surely would seem immoral to those who are afflicted with Aurum Death in the future. And vice versa. What of those who died of the disease before we arrived; are we immoral for having not risked pirates to arrive here sooner? You would be well served to recognize that your vision of morality does not place you on some kind of pedestal."
He turns and begins walking back to the poppet. "Yes, destroying this poppet will surely also destroy all the existing undead, but it will also destroy any possibility of gaining a deeper understanding of Aurum Death. The Pure Legion are already on the task of destroying the undead, and they are beyond capable. Let them earn their wages." As he speaks, the investigator retrieves his traveler's any-tool and uses its magic to transform it into an appropriately sized lockbox for the poppet.
With great care to prevent any direct contact with the poppet, Kolris uses the edge of his cloak to pick up the small doll and place it carefully in the lockbox. He turns to face Esper again. "Studying the poppet may allow us to prevent the Aurum Death from ever rising again. How many lives might we save if we can end its threat for all time? Isn't that a just and moral cause? Don't let near-sightedness for the short-term cloud your greater vision." He shuts the lid of the lockbox; an audible click is heard as the lock engages.
"I'll remind you of another Pathfinder edict: Cooperate. Three of four Pathfinders here have no objection to returning with the poppet. Consensus has been reached. Let the Pure Legion complete the cleanup of Aurum Death in this city while we advance the greater knowledge of the land, that this threat may never rise again."
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I fight for the destruction of undead. I understand your concern; Esper, but Kolris arguments aren't without value. We could do some good right here, right now, by destroying the puppet, it's true. But we can accomplish even more good if we take the time to study it's magical powers and find a way to lift the curse.
With the poppet safely locked away, the team departs the casino.
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While it is clear Esper is agitated, it seems Kolris' words about 'Cooperate' prevent her from pushing the issue further. The Pure Legionaries ask you to wait until Kazima can arrive.
The dwarf is happy to see you alive and in one piece. It takes a little back and forth, but she agrees that the poppet would be better off outside the nation's borders. You get the feeling that if you had not established such a strong rapport with her and earned the respect of the Pure Legion that this conversation could have ended differently.
The journey back to Manaket’s Swordmeet Lodge meant six more days in the desert. The entire time, Kolris hears whispered promises and clues to dark secrets. Everyday he ensures Vaultkeeper remains locked away, and yet the tiny voice is never far away. Fitfull nights leave the investigator on edge. By the time you arrive at the lodge, Kolris shows signs of exhaustion. Perhaps his mystical burden has been too cumbersome to bare.
However, after transferring the poppet to his contact at the lodge, he feels as if a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He at last has good night's rest. Though, just before he gains full consciousness...was that a high pitch squeal of laughter? No...it couldn't be.
Could it?