But you're not missing key plot points. Case in point; You can encounter Shadowheart numerous times; but ignore her every time - If you do, so, she will end up in your camp.
Thing with Ethel is - You *can* speak with her, or go directly to her swamp and meet her there. I'd argue that's better than anything for a only-once- player. Lastly, if you only play it once, you don't notice it, either. BUt I doubt that's what most players do. Skyrim held on to its playerbase for ten years. The Classic BG's to this day.
This is an absolutely abysmal take. Shadowheart is the exception because she carries a plot central artifact you cannot continue the game without...an artifact she's protecting with her life. So either you have to take her with you or you have to kill her for it. That is not something you can miss. But a lot of these other quests are not essential to the central plot and the game will outright skip them without even a note which is terrible design for a flimsy and inconsistent mechanic.
