>This isn't taking anything away from 2 obviously kick-ass
>characters, but it does seem like the fortress inner really
>isn't that strong since I've yet to see a comment on how
>someone soloed an inner other than the fortress one.

Not to detract from your overall point, but heros solo-ing cabal inners isn't a supremely rare occurence. Most paladins can solo the Empire or (especially) Scion inners. Many rager berserkers can solo the Scion (and possibly) Empire inners. Etc.