Quote Originally Posted by saber_alter View Post
snip
While you do agree to everything everyone only suggests you do, that's just an illusion of choice. The story won't progress unless you do what they tell you to do, just like you can't progress on Azys Lla until you agree to the Guidance Node's ToS ("Yes" and "I... suppose?"). I'm fine with that, but the point is someone else is still calling the shots.

I suppose it's possible, though careful study of chemistry and biology, to make a poison that would choke someone to unconsciousness but not kill them. The only person I can think of with that level of alchemical ability is Severian himself, though (really need to see what that old chap is up to). However, if some of the wine went down Nanamo's windpipe, she'd probably just cough it up in a second. It's impossible to choke on liquids (that's called drowning).

Lolorito was in full control of the Braves (back then, at least). While always implicit, it wasn't until after Ilberd cuts off Raubahn's arm that he tells the Braves (and Blades) to detain the Scions. By that point, his main objective - offing "too big for his britches" Teledji Adeledji - had already been completed (without Ilberd goading Raubahn to do it, but that's another matter). They also pursue us throughout the escape, which... makes no sense if he would rather we stay alive and free. Except perhaps for appearances' sake, but he seems to have thrown appearances to the wind by 3.0. It's so self-contradictory as to be vexing.

Minfilia's whereabouts are probably the most frustrating question; we have a linkpearl to contact her with, and she had nowhere to go but out the same exit we did. She has to be alive. (A sidequest for the "Doman Adventurers' Guild" heavily implies this, as they say something about "Mistress Ascilia," Ascilia being Minfilia's real name.)

Thancred...? Probably snared in Y'shtola's Flow (he was in front of her, and it looked like a pretty big area spell). Without knowledge of how Flow works exactly we can't say though. I'd wager we find him seducing Garlean hunnies when we get there though, lol.