If Gharnef appears at the point between the seize space and the final staircase, I'm just about screwed, since I know I won't be able to get past him there. Thankfully, the odds are good that he'll be somewhere less obtrusive.
Chapter 23 - Dark Pontifex: Finished.
Base: Dropped Dua in this chapter for Julian, so as to get the treasure, and had Jeorge hand Jake the spheres. I need to make sure every shot kills something, so I also forge Jake's Pachyderm with +7 might, and +10 accuracy, dubbing the mighty new creation the Nidhogg.
Marth: Hides in the main group, as they slowly make their way through the temple up to the seize point.
Julian: Stole the treasure, which consisted of a small bullion and a talisman.
Jake: Stuck with everyone, but was the undisputed MVP. He sniped basically every major foe, and sniffed out the real Gharnef, who was awaiting us near the start, thankfully. Once the party began advancing, he followed directly behind Ymir at the front in order to deal with the reinforcement mages, allowing the others to strike down anyone who came too close or any extraneous foes who needed to die that he couldn't attend to.
Party: Supported Jake in dealing with the mages, making sure to try and slay their foes in a single shot to avoid a painful retaliation. Ymir was the most busy member of the party aside from Jake, and took care of most foes after Jake had cleared away any moving mages or dangerous enemies. He also killed the two fake Gharnefs, with some help from Jake.
Gharnef x 2: Both killed by Ymir, they first took a Nidhogg shot to the face from Jake, and then were shot in the face by Ymir to finish them off.
Levels: Ymir is now level 18, so he's almost at the max himself. I'd say he'll be done by the next chapter, and this one's filled with Manaketes!
Up Next: The Dragonkin Realm, where we face down Medeus's advance forces as we attempt to enter the Capital of Dolhr.