I have seen no explanation for this and can only imangin "fate" as one. Which is pretty lazy.
Its called plot armor.
Also, when falling out of the Nautiloid, something saves our live. Maybe the tadpole? Why does this happen only once? With the actual incapacitation mechanic we could easily be transported back to camp with 1HP when dying on the road. That would make more sense when what we have now.
So there are a few small holes everywhere
I believe we get quite close to things that are never questioned in fantasy ...
Like how is that possible that i just get direct hit to unprotected head with a Stone Hammer from 200kg Minotaur ... and i just get 2Bludgeoning damage and feel totally fine.
Those are not holes of storytelling ... those are just things that work differently in games.
Plot armor..lol
Well, if the story in itselfs works, i can accept fantasy in all its glory. what we have here is a story that contradicts itself if you just think a little too hard about it. I really hope Whithers is just an EA item like you said, never thought about that and too it for granted (see? i can accept :P)
But the whole story revolves around the tadpole and the True Souls so far. If you can get rid of it by dying and getting resurrected it's bull. If the revivify scrolls and Withers both are EA items, it should work. But that would risk losing party members permanently ( i would not mind )
Gales story with his true resurrection scroll really breaks the tadpole issue for him. After we revive him with his scroll it should go like: Thanks for reviving me...oh...tadpoles gone, i'm off. Cy'all.
They should really think about that or just tell that they know but had no idea how to do it otherwise.
