I've found myself re-reading the character descriptions for Nualia's mischievous gang and chuckling. I never really got much into the sub-motivations of who was attracted to whom, but it reads like a reality show. I imagine it was somewhat destined to implode soon anyway. To recap:
Orik had a crush on Lyrie - who didn't reciprocate.
Lyrie had a strange crush on Tsuto - who didn't reciprocate.
Tsuto was head over heels infatuated with Nualia - who pretended to reciprocate.
Nualia was all about Lamashtu.
Bruthazmus had a weird mommy-thing for Nualia, but mostly: Bruthazmus liked killing things.
How did these sub-motivations work for you in your game?
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I never picked up on Bruthazmus' "mommy-thing." From what I remember, he was there because Nualia kicked his ass when he tried to challenge her, and she offered him a chance to kill a bunch of the longshanks in Sandpoint. She probably offered him Shalelu's ears as well. I distinctly remember him being disgusted at all of the sexual shenanigans going on in Thistletop, and was just in it for the blood and riches. (Also, goblin wives.)
My party was able to convince Orik to turn over a new leaf (not exactly hard), but failed to convince Lyrie. He tried to talk with her, but this was right after she found out that the PCs were (indirectly) responsible for Tsuto's death, so that wasn't going to happen. Orik was disappointed that he couldn't help her, but since it was more infatuation than anything else, I think he had to shake his head and get over her.
Lyrie's pissed, and wants to kill the party. The fact that they cooperated in getting her convicted and sent to the Hells doesn't help matters.
Actually, she's not in the Hells at all, but has been working with Xanesha ever since the end of her trial. She has an obsessive personality - she started obsessing on Tsuto, but since my party's wizard ended up being the person who prosecuted her case, she's shifted to him. They'll meet her in the sawmill, and if they don't kill her there, they'll have a final meeting in the clock tower. Lightning bolt plus The Scarecrow equals sadistic DM.
Tsuto's dead by his own hand. He was certain Nualia would succeed and would raise him once she took Sandpoint. He was wrong on both counts.
Nualia's obsession with Malfeshnekor led her to ignore the fighting on the upper levels, trusting her lieutenants into taking care of any intruders. This proved a bad choice, but let's face it, when you let nuts like these in as your lieutenants, you don't make great decisions.
Malfeshnekor just wants to be free. He would have had no problem aiding Nualia in her quest to become a full demon, but she was just a means to an end. If it weren't for the deviousness of that secret door, he would have been free before the PCs even arrived.
I find it entertaining that this whole thing is a love cul-de-sac, with only Bruthazmus staying apart.
Orik --> Lyrie --> Tsuto --> Nualia --> Malfeshnekor.