Yeah, there should be a small race companion. I sound like a broken record at that point, but there was one planned: Helia, the halfling werewolf bard. She had voicelines recorded, but was scratched along the way.
And yes, we don't need the smelly tree hugger Halsin, who doubles down on class, race and is extremely inappropriate.
They could have made Barcus a companion, he has ties to all three acts and the main plot.
