Yeah, he shows way to early and it doesnt make any sense in the structure of the narrative as it is.
The whole start of the game suffers from trying to create an extreme rush about the tadpole which the whole actual gameplay experience works against. Because resting is absolutely necessary for your characters to function at all - to be able to do anything about the condition. Because all the companions gameplay and info is connected exclusively to resting - and all of that is directly tied to the main plot and the condition itself.
It can be easily corrected by simply having Laezel and Shadowheart expressing concern but acknowledging you must risk a rest or two in order to even try to find a solution.
In my case it was Gale who after the first rest points out we didnt sprout tentacles and that something is not as usual. Thats all we need.
The tadpole itself could and actually should - atleast imply that its not about to turn you into a Mindflayer, but instead offer powers and stuff as it does anyway.
Raphael should appear only after we finish the Grove - Goblins quests.
The problem is that you can easily miss it. Events in the camp shouldnt be possible to miss (unless npc is dead),
because it causes terrible problems in the narrative.
