I can understand that.
That said, I think it's less intensive than you make it out to be. You would really only need a maximum of 3 origins stories dependent upon Race. There would be a lot of overlap between the Baldur's Gate races. Really, you'd only need a special setting for Githyanki and Drow. Most could be set in the city or outskirts. Which, Baldur's Gate needs to be built anyways.
So Race is one factor that could determine the "plot" of the origin. Would be a lot of overlap.
Background determines your character's starting friends or companions. Same for Class.
But you'd really only need three main plot lines, just with some variation and flavor for the background/class thrown in.
I'd rather have time spent on that than 6 full length companion stories. But I think you can do both.
