I mean, they could explain Halsin with being a substitute too. Toss in one conversation where he was made archdruid before his time because the mighty archdruid had to go on a mission, was killed etc. Not ideal, but it should be addressed somehow. Minsc is supposed to be tadpoled too, so he, like the rest of the party, suffered powerloss too ( and I can believe, I try to defend Minsc, I don't even like him).
