I got the sense that it wasn't enforced, but you do need to possibly give up something to keep certain people in your party, or maybe you need to do something for them. So maybe that translates to checks against your own nature to see if you are willing to do that.
Given the choice between greater power and helping a companion I think we understand what the pragmatic choice is here. Let's say for every companion you sacrifice you gain a certain level of power, stats, skills, abilities. So do you sacrifice them to your Divine Crucible to absorb that power, or do you resist that urge?
In fact, I am almost 100% certain that is exactly the choice you face. Sorry, but bye bye Shadowbae.
Oh it should be fine...a full party is only comprised of four characters and we have six origin companions and 12 potential hirelings...that's 18 total. We can sacrifice 15 and keep 3 around.
