Yeah, the belt that I wanted to remove was a modded item I installed. Stat-wise, it gave 200% resistance to all elemental damages...so that's why I wanted to get it off my companions first. I tried fighting the Embodiments with the mod item still on the companions, but I don't seem to be able to deal any damage at all to the Embodiments, so that's why I was so keen of getting rid of it for the fight.
It's too bad I can't take the gear away without my whole team turning on me. I tried retreating from battle or killing my Prince and reviving him, neither worked...it's all back to fight mode when my Prince gets close to the companions.
