![[Belynne.png]] # Belynne Stelmane _Human Duke (Mind Flayer-Possessed) | [[Council of Four]] | [[Baldur's Gate]]_ ## Summary Once a vigorous and formidable politician. Recently suffered what appeared to be a severe seizure, leaving her with a partially paralyzed face and slowed speech. In truth, a mind flayer seized control during the "seizure." She wages a silent internal war, unable to signal for help. Increasingly absent from Council meetings, acting strangely when present. %% ## At a Glance Woman in her fifties or sixties. Left side of face partially paralyzed—drooping eyelid, slack mouth corner. Moves stiffly, carefully. Eyes sometimes distant, sometimes desperately focused. Aides hover nearby, ready to help or cover for her. Slowed speech, slight slur. Pauses mid-sentence as if searching for words—or fighting an internal battle. Sometimes speaks with cold precision (mind flayer in control), other times with desperate urgency ([[Belynne Stelmane|Stelmane]] breaking through). ## Personality **Stelmane:** Sharp political operator, now trapped and desperate. Moments of clarity where the real woman surfaces—intelligent, angry, terrified. Trying to leave clues without alerting her captor. **Mind Flayer:** Cold, calculating, patient. Studying [[Baldur's Gate]]'s power structures. Content to observe and learn while wearing [[Belynne Stelmane|Stelmane]]'s face. ## Quote _"I... need... help—"_ (sudden pause, eyes clear for a moment, then cloud again) _"—with these documents. Yes. The documents."_ ## Background **The Possession:** Several months ago, she hired agents to explore ruins beneath the city. They found a mind flayer hiding in the depths. It followed them back, struck during a private evening. Her guards found her collapsed, convulsing. The "seizure" left visible impairment—perfect cover. **The Silent War:** Inside her own mind, [[Belynne Stelmane|Stelmane]] fights constantly. The mind flayer needs her memories to maintain the deception, so her consciousness remains aware—trapped, watching through her own eyes. When its attention lapses, she surfaces briefly. So far, no one has noticed. **Political Value:** Rescue would gain a powerful ally who knows every secret in [[Baldur's Gate]]'s government—and owes her life to her rescuers. ## Stats **Noble** (MM 348) for [[Belynne Stelmane|Stelmane]] herself (impaired, non-combative). **Mind Flayer** (MM 222) if forced to reveal itself—prioritizes escape over combat. - *Detect thoughts* reveals two minds struggling - *Protection from evil and good* breaks possession temporarily - Insight DC 18 notices moments where her expression becomes alien - *Dispel magic* DC 17 breaks possession for 1d4 hours %%