As far as progression goes…I think everyone just needs to be more on the ball with quests. Things like destroying the AntiMagic Crystal, curing the cursed Orc, maybe even going with the commander to the meet immortals should be quests. So far the group has had what two quests assigned, and nary a mention since. I don’t know maybe going over quests again with the group. It’s something the party can rally lean into.
The new attempt rewards would play with quests well too.
Maybe that 40xp deficit really bugs me too much…and that Berg really missed out on an earlier goal.
That [spoiler]Kukrit[/spoiler] tie in was a masterstroke imo. Not only because it was the most dramatic option available, but because it’s aftermath basically reset any faction “hooks” had gained during the episode. [spoiler]I assume they are all presumed dead. So they can go down any path they wish through this conflict, without interference or having to keep appearances for a while.[/spoiler]