You could make the argument that trying to capture Minthara could serve the purpose of giving you a way to get closer to the Absolute without having to kill a bunch of refugees/leave them to their fates. As I understand it, she's higher up on the ladder within the cult, with the goblins being placed under her control. Ragzlin and Gut seemed more like the middle-managers compared to Minthara and in all likelihood, might not be much help with the cult itself. Nevermind that Ragzlin kind of comes off as dumb muscle and Gut as just...dumb with trying to get a Mind Flayer as a pet.
And I suppose Larian could maybe implement something to make it so that Minthara seems off when she gets close to you and the artifact to clue the player in that it might be worth it to knock her out? Precedent's already there when you're at the goblin party and romance her.
