Act 1 did it pretty perfect, and set the expectation that is how acts/the game would conclude which made the lack of anything a gut punch after act 1 had raised the bar on that aspect of the game.

Act 1 style ending party, especially if it was followed by a slide show of longish term consequences, would be my ideal

Minthara is the best character and she NEEDS to be recruitable if you side with the grove!
Also- I support the important thread in the suggestions: Let everyone in the Party Speak