Eye On The Prize

Nope. There is no time to indulge in sullying an elven man, you have grander plans to focus on! Quickly moving, you slither up to Vel's leg and rush up it, climbing onto his back and connecting yourself to him. A quick check of his health bar shows your Influence hasn't gone down, meaning he's still totally enthralled and you're free to use him as you wish.

Mentally you command him to walk, only stopping him at the threshhold of the next room to look over his shoulder and you find yourself enraged. Nyssa is set up in a corner, preparing her spells as Gazers spawn around her, helpless inntge dark and with a wave of her hand, light explodes in a small arc towards the fresh spawns. It burns them to ash and they fade instantly.

Ding! Vel the acoylte has reached level 4! Gains 4 stat points. Gains 4 HP and 6 MP. Learns Empower Arms.

You immediately jam a tendril into Vel's neck, converting his four new hitpoints into Influence before he can gain any ground. It's time for payback.

Commanding Vel forward you remain on his shoulder, preparing yourself as Nyssa comes into view. She smiles as she sees Vel and you strike at once.

Vel raises his hands at your insistance, casting Holy Light and immediately Nyssa is illuminated by a bright glow, making her stand out like a sore thumb. She's surprised and looks at Vel confused, raising her arms to cast something.

Then you use Disarm. Her staff hits the ground as she stares at you, confused and now angry, her fists clenching. "You little shit! What is an Eye Fiend doing up here?! When I get my hands on you I'm going to fry you! You can't hurt me or I can cast, and I'll be immune!" She calls now, growing arrogant as she realizes the last part.

Then you raise a tendril and point to her feet. She looks down. A dozen Gazers have respawned around her, all of them looking at the now illuminated and helpless Spellcaster. Her face falls.

"...you cheap little bitch."

A dozen Stares come out at once. Nyssa falls forward, stunned, and you grin as you order Vel to drag her and her staff back to the side passage...