I also honestly don't understand the discussion about names, and even things like the characters' appearances. My feelings about them are completely based on such things as alignment and backstory. As a good-aligned character, how could I possibly be okay with a vampire spawn or a priestess of Shar?
While both Shadowheart and Astarian may have dark pasts, the moment we meet them in the story, they are at potential turning points.
Astarian was under the control of his vampire master and burdened with an insatiable hunger for blood. The tadpole seems to be helping him overcome this curse somewhat, and his story will likely involve confronting his master at some point. Would he still be "evil" if he were to break free from his master and gain free will? Who knows?
Shadowheart, meanwhile, was just sent on a suicide mission by Shar. We don't know what originally drew her to Shar, but when we meet her she seems to be having a crisis of faith. We may get a chance to turn her towards another God or something of the sort.
I feel like all of the companions are a bit malleable and multifaceted, and our choices in the story can help to shape who and what they ultimately become. Writing them off as completely evil simply because of surface level knowledge of their background is a bit harsh - I imagine that a good-aligned character would be willing to help them onto the right path.
