For context,
(*) I tend to think there will be basically 2 main Story-Path. Well, maybe 3, but least those 2.
- Seeking to get rid of the tadpole. That will likely involve foiling the nefarious plans engineered by the Absolute.
- Seeking to conquer the tadpole and its powers. That may or may not involve reaping for ourselves the benefits of the nefarious plans engineered by the Absolute. (I wouldn't be surprised if ascending to godhood is a possible ending.)
(**) I don't expect all companions to be ok with every Story Path.
- Lae'zel seems to be the kind who will want to get rid of the tadpole. I can see her evolve on a number of points (e.g. faith in Vlaakith, disdain for Toril folks, etc), but I don't see her accepting to have a Illithid abomination in her body.
- Astarion is clearly more interested in master the tadpole. I'd be disappointed if he can be convinced to quest for tadpole removal.
In fact, I'd be disappointed if every Companion can be convinced to follow us on every Story Path. Rather, I feel that, for each Path, there should be at the very least one Companion that refuses to follow us.
And to be clear : I don't consider that a hollow, personality-less, malleable/editable/make-your-own Mercenary will do the job. Larian has been very silent about what exactly they had in mind when they mentioned a Mercenary system, so it's up to everybody to guess how those would work. But I don't think they can make Mercenaries something I'd remotely want to use. So I want Companions, not some create-an-extra-character-on-the-fly Mercenaries.
