And, again, I don't think we necessary need troubleshooters. We need logistical support. We need preparation. During combat we are likely to be the ones doing the heaviest fighting, in my opinion. We need naagloshii distracted, harried, and unable to flee (including via ways).
We could also Winter's deep lore to get information about this specific skinwalker, their history and potential vulnerabilities.
In other words, we need troubleshooters to do all those things.
People that Mab trusts with the knowledge, power and judgement to make those types of calls in the field without her supervision, and if necessary to call on some of Winter's respurces.
Thats not a long list.
There's a reason Mab has used Dresden as an empowered Emissary in the mortal world these five years.
One of several reasons, at least.
Its a naagloshii.
Their vulnerabilities arent secret, there just happen to be very few people with the authority to use them. Thats why their opponents seem to default to overwhelming force instead.
Dresden spent the last five years trying desperately not to deal with Mab. He is still indebted to her. And we are not pushing him out of the way.
You're going to have to distinguish what Dresden says from what he actually does.
Dude has a remarkable talent for self-delusion.
Its been less than a year since he called Mab's second in command for information and got Mab. Less than a year since he called up the Summer King. Three months since he called up Winter Lady Maeve and Summer Lady Lily for a nice long talk at Mac's.
A month and half since he talked to Mab.
For all his protestations, he has no compunctions in dealing with her underlings and associates in the background knowledge that all this shit gets back to her. And he uses the Little Folk all the goddamn time.
On top of that?
Mab's handmaiden, her second in command, is Dresden's godmother.
And with her in magical rehab for Nemesis infection, Mab stands in loco parentis in the Leanansidhe's steed.
He couldnt avoid Mab, any more than he could avoid gravity. And he really isnt trying very hard.
We are just not hiding behind him, and not letting him serve as a human shield.
Mab has the Leanansidhe imprisoned.
While she does, Lea's obligations and responsobilities fall on Mab.
Effectively, Mab is Dresden's godmother for the duration.
And frankly, we wouldnt be doing him a favor by preventing him from getting experience operating at those levels.
You learn by doing.
You know, I find it interesting that Butcher has skinwalkers as demons, when what little of the legends that have been released have them closer to corrupted medicine men.
There's allegedly two types.
There's corrupted medicine men and magic workers, who are wielders of black magic and shapeshifters.
Then there's the people they learned from, the true naagloshii.
Who are spirits/demons.
Its not all that unheard of in Native American mythology. See the wendigo.
