"This can't possibly be the same 9PM at which I once would prepare for outings."
Does this work better, or am I crazy?
If you can get your hands on a misty step scroll, invis potion + longstride/jump spell, speed potion, or dimension door, you can free Aylin in turn 1 (provided you freed her). Granted, that doesn't make the fight a free win, but she sure can eat a lot of hits. Also, putting sanctuary on a full healer is very useful.
I need to replay Bastion. One of my all-time favorites, for sure.