About the artifact not being noticed in MR, my theory is that, because it is a pocket in the Astral plain, the physical location on the material plain does not matter. The emperor can shield anyone he considers useful at any place. At the start of the game, while on the ravaged beach, he can still shield Karlach near the Tollhouse. It's also clear when you save Minsc, that the shield does not extend automatically to anyone nearby. Only the emperor can grant it.
Which leaves one question : Why does he shield Minthara during the victory party if you go the evil route and sack the grove. Well, allying with Minthara was YOUR (Tav's ) choice, and the Emperor might approve of it and see a lot of potential in Minthara, if her devotion to Orin is broken, which will be your task.
This may also give support for the fact that the partymembers were once very mighty adventurers. They've proven their worth once already, and that is the reason why the emperor chose these and only these selected few to go against the absolute. Trusting that you would be capable to do it a second time.
Aye, but this raises a lot of questions. Such as:
If Orpheus is the one granting the power... Why is the Emperor able to control it? Sure, if the Emperor eats Orpheus's brain he might get to inherit this power... But he's manipulating this power well before then.
Then, if we consider that this power is selective... Why did Orpheus choose to use it on the Emperor in the first place? Literally the Emperor only regained his individuality after being affected by the power.
Why would he choose these companions?
Like, sure Karlach has proven herself... But the rest?
- Tav is a random no-name. No feats or accomplishments at all.
- Durge is literally being manipulated by Bhaal, so there's going to be conflicts of interest (Especially when one of the main antagonists is Bhaal's chosen...)
- Wyll is subject to his pact. So he's on the leash of Mizora and can only do as she wishes. He's not completely free to go about and mess with the Absolute.
- Gale has his Netherese Orb inside him. One slip in the Emperor's ability to protect him and he'll pop, not just a ceremorphosis but an entire nuke (Both the first dream visit he mentions "I got here just in time" and later after the Creche there's a whole thing about how he's struggling to keep control) - Can the artifact survive a full on Netherese Orb blast?
- Lae'zel is a Gith youngling. Any Gith would make a poor choice for an ally given their protocol is to instantly kill anyone infected (WIth that being the ultimate goal of the Zaith'isk too). You can't even argue that she's some spectacular god slaying warrior, as she's inexperienced (She has some fighting experience, but not enough to be notably worth the risk of her following protocol and being put down)
- Astarion is just a magistrate who's been tortured as a prisoner for 200 years. Yes, he's a vampire spawn and so has a few extra abilities... But he's not "Proven himself". Heck, how would the Emperor even know these tadpoles would sever his connection to Cazador and allow him any free will at all?
- Shadowheart is a Sharran, whom seem to be allied with the Absolutists. She may have helped in taking the artifact away from the Gith... But her mission was to then hand it over to the Sharrans and thus the Absolutists.
Literally anyone besides Karlach makes no sense and she wasn't even a planned implantation she just happened to get picked up while the Nautiloid was fleeing through Avernus...
