Both versions of Halaster turn to stare at her. They smile in unison as an idea pops simultaneously into their heads.

"We'll settle this later, when we're just one on one. But first the Valsharess must pay for what she has done."

"Someone must get her, make her pay for her crime. I'd do it myself, but I can't spare the time."

"Mass Geas," one of the Halasters incants. It feels as if a thousand tiny hooks have latched themselves into Belmarniss's very soul.

Nobody present can understand Belmarniss as she reverts to a language she knows how to swear in more effectively and, quite pointlessly, attempts to zap Halaster with a crackle of black arcane bolt.

It fizzles against his massive spell resistance. "Now, now, now, don't be a bad sport. I'd get you for that, but our time here is short."

The other Halaster speaks up. "You now have no choice but to do as I say. But once the Valsharess is dead, my spell goes away. After that, I promise you'll truly be free... but don't do something foolish, like come after me."

"And now, I'm afraid, it's time you must go. Don't worry, it's fine; you'll all do well, I know."

With a wave of his hands, one of the Halasters casts a modified Greater Teleport, and suddenly the five of them are standing in the middle of an obsidian temple.

"I... am... so... fucking... angry," Deekin articulates.

"I will kill him. I will ascend to godhood and come back here and shred him and keep his soul in a perfectly delightful place where he can't cast any spells on any of his perfectly lovely neighbors."

Nathyrra is rubbing her skin like she can somehow physically peel off the spell. "Gods, this is such a fucking mess. I- apologize for my language, but- no, you know what, I don't, this is a fucking mess. We need to talk to the Seer. I think we're in a back room of the Temple of Eilistraee-"

She tries the door. It opens, leading into a room where a tall drow with a staff stands surrounded by soldiers, mostly drow but with one tiefling standing at her side.

"The situation is grim," says the staff-wielder. "How long do you believe we- Nathyrra! You've returned?"

"Yes, Seer, but not under ideal circumstances. Belmarniss's party managed to free Halaster from his captors, ending the Valsharess's efforts to use Undermountain as a base to launch her attacks on the surface. Halaster was... not grateful, however. Once free, he placed a geas on the lot of us and teleported us down here to deal with the Valsharess once and for all."

The Seer turns to regard Belmarniss, looking stricken. "I see... I am sorry you have been violated in this way. This is not how I would have wished to acquire your assistance."

"I'm delighted to hear it."

"If you need some time to process before we begin discussing what to do, I will not begrudge it. That goes for all of you - Belmarniss, Jojo, Garrus, Deekin."

Deekin inhales, then exhales. "Deekin still mad... but Deekin not think time would help. Deekin think talking about plans might help."

Garrus nods. "I don't appreciate Halaster's input, but I was planning to help you all anyway. So let's get on with it and get this thing out of my brain."

Jojo nods. "There are worse things that could happen to me than to be forced to combat evil. Again."

"Going to kill him," she mutters.

The Seer nods. "Though Halaster may have forced you into joining us, now that you are here your fate is closely tied to ours. I must put my faith in the Dark Maiden... and that means putting our faith in you. All the drow here in Lith My'athar will stand against the Valsharess; she is the one enemy common to us all. But even our united strength will not be able to defeat the full might of her army. Our only hope is for you to find ways to strengthen our forces, and to weaken the Valsharess and her allies. Nathyrra can help you with that."

"I can give you information on the Valsharess's allies and where to find them. We can strike at her through her friends, or perhaps even turn them to our side."

The tiefling adds, "I can help you as well. I know much about the legends of the Underdark, and which ones may have a grain of truth. I have heard rumors of powerful artifacts and allies we might be able to acquire."

"Yay."

"I apologize again for what has been done to you. I only hope that we can find some way to make it up to you in the end."

"I think... we could all use a little bit of time to process, actually," Jojo says. "We can let you get back to your meeting, and when that's over, we can talk to Nathyrra and... the fellow with the horns. Alright?"

"Of course. Walk in freedom, and blessed be."

Jojo leads the party out of the war room and into the drow city of Lith My'athar.

Then he sighs. "We were already committed," he says. "I don't know why he couldn't ask."