I wonder what you would say about the balance if I hadn't suggested that Nere take Akkerwald instead of Alait. In that case, she would have had about one and a half times fewer hit points (if not more), and her dodge and willpower would have been much lower, and she would have missed her attacks much more often.
Added 10 minutes later
In the OP post, I also didn't read anything except for the descriptions of the races, Nihon, and Brightwind-Darkree when we got to the puzzle. Well, you know me. That's why I can't tell the difference between Akkerwald and Alait.