I think that the number one problem is the late recruitment with this strange in-between where he squats our camp without being able to join the group.
The quest in the Plan of the Shadow should not be the time to be recruited but his main quest, I think he should join the group after the Grove Arch.
You're right! His general storyline is just so good and touching, but that weird gap where he just stays at camp doing nothing breaks the impression. It would be one of the best improvements for sure, if we could pick him earlier. Though again, it will take a lot of work for Larian to do so.
