This isn't at all imaginative, but I would rather just have the artifact be a powerful ward that radiates a magical aura negating forms of mind control / telepathy / what have you. No need for anyone to 'live' inside it.
I understand that that would break a number of story lines, but I'd rather accept a magical macguffin than endure the insufferable Emperor Exposition and his absurd backstory.
Yep, all those annoying conversations, and you still arrive at the same ending as if they don't matter. At least with Daisy you could skip the dreams.
