I […] So past certain tadpole consumption/power use, it should start by changing some dialogues […] And past another point, normal humanoid feelings should start disappearing. Romance makes no sense for illithids unless is to manipulate as the emperor does.[…]
This, I think there could be a cursor on an influence bar where TAV try to keep the tadpole dominated. Consuming or using too much illithid powers in a row would give the tadpole more grip.
First, after opening mind to some tadpoles, additional dialogue choices should be unlocked and then, when the influence of the tadpole is high, the player would be forced to engage in theses lines.
This could lead to breaking a romance, engaging potential allies, obeying specific orders… but it would eventually open new interactions.
As a matter of fact, I think, the companions, that are against using the tadpoles, like Lae'zel, should break up the romance. It doesn't make sense from a storytelling view, that they would ignore that. If you change physically from using the tadpoles, then people should react '('Are you well?' 'What happened to you?'), maybe your charisma based skills go down, and if you use all the unlocks, you indeed should have to face some conseuqences - maybe teh emperor can force you to side with him, so helping Orpheus is not possible anymore. WHich makes sense.
I just find it strange, that you use the tadpoles, your companions at least know, you use the tadpoles and if your face changes, people should be repulsed by it and you have all the illithid stuff inside your head, which I thought was, what made it possible for the emperor to make sure, you are on his side.
