I like Nere as a villain. Great look, the fight probably needs a little tweaking, but it's good overall. If you face it straight on, it's reasonably challenging.
I don't want Nere as a companion. Everyone can't be a companion.
His stats are outrageous. I really don't like it when the stats get boosted like that. I prefer NPCs to follow the same rules PCs follow, in general and at least in spirit.
I'm annoyed that I can't take his outfit. I like the look. Why do all the NPCs get to look great while my characters are stuck in generic land?
Finally, I appreciate that there are multiple paths when it comes to dealing with him, but I strongly disagree with the ability to convince him to turn away from the Absolute. Turning someone away from the Absolute should be a quest in and of itself. It should be a big deal, a very big deal.
If the player sides with Nere then I think a reward should be in order. Maybe something as simple as giving the PC two duergar mercenaries to join them and aid in their quest. That would create an active incentive to follow that path and make it feel like a reasonable direction.
