I think the Absolute is a trick of the parasites, as Lae'zal suggests and based on Priestess Gut's dialogue about not even knowing she has a parasite.
The tadpoles are under control by magic, there are a few NPCs in the EA that can tell you that. They aren't the ones controlling things.
The amulet of the Absolute is the biggest redflag about who is in control of the cult or whom they are trying to piss off, as I don't think gods like to have their (un)holy symbols usurped.
