I think gamers have been conditioned by decades of games to think that the morally "good" path must always be the most at least equal if not more rewarding in terms of in game items, currency, abilities, etc.
That's true, and I've been complaining about that more or less forever. Which is why I'd appreciate it if there was some imbalance in this setup. If I choose the more questionable path, I expect to get something for it I couldn't get any other way - else why go down this path - and if I play "good", there are some options I will not have because I will choose not to pay their price.
However, narrative elements are different. Should we, for instance, never get those dreams if we don't use the tadpole (as it is in the EA), we'd be missing opportunities for character expression which would be relevant to why our characters make their decisions in that regard. There's also this seduction element that might make some characters act against their better judgment, and that would it make it justifiable for smart characters with good intentions to, say, fall under the dream lovers' spell and embrace illithid ways. If things still work that way.
