I think the scene where the woman in the pod changes at the switch of a lever is significant.
Maybe the plan was to enter "sleeper cells" of special, leadertype people in Faerun society and have them all morph after a few years when they are in positions of power, all at once.
Maybe... although I'm not sure that Gale and Astarion would qualify as "leaders" or "leader-potential" at least in the state they are when they are abducted. Besides, they are seen taking randos from the street in the opening cinematic (personally I play my Tav as a rando all the time, much more fun that way).
