I understand you ... but that is pure individual opinion ...
Same as you dont like the idea of vampire spawn, or mage with condition that require him to consume magic ... i never quite fall in love with idea of berserker with hamster pet. Its funny, to be sure, but also quite odd. :-/
100 people, 100 tastes ...
But then you had option. There are 2 other rangers 3 other mages in bg1.
Why dont they just give Lae a reddragon mount from start aswell?
And SH is probably the in facto leader of church of Shar.
Do not compare a silly gimmick on one of ocer a dozen char to more then half of the ensamble being over powered lore wise but not game wise.