I am on level 17, I chose to attack Cereth instead of negotiate, now I HAVE to battle him no matter what. I have tried so hard to to defeat him and his two bandit "friends." Is there anything I can do to avoid battling him? Please help!! I'm stuck here!

please help!! I can't go past this part!

I don't think you can avoid the battle. I went through the battle when I played that storyline a long time back.

I believe you should be able to get 2 pets in your party at this stage? Go to the plaza in esior's haven and pay the trainer to increase your party limit. That will help.


Also, will recommend you to read this guide: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=11101

In short, when adding level up/proficiency points to your pets, choose either strength OR intelligence. The two can't work together as your pet will only use the higher one. So if you add points to one, don't add any points to the other. Likewise, choose equipment that increases the stat you've chosen, instead of splitting points equally between the two, or between all the stats. Also, use relics that add more to physical damage if you choose strength, or add more to magical damage if you choose intelligence. Try to match the proficiency tree to the stats that you've chosen as well.

These should make your pets more efficient in battles.