I for one am very glad that a true blank slate custom character exists because I would hate to play as Durge and do not plan to (a also don't believe that we were originally going to be playing as Durge by default, or at least whatever initial plan they had that was similar to Durge, it was still different enough that it wouldn't resemble the Durge we have now, because I played EA from the start and the clues people point to as evidence that Tav was originally just Durge are incredibly weak and there was nothing resembling what we have now) and nor do I plan to play as any of the origin characters. I agree that making the companions playable was a mistake on Larian's part, one which contributes to what amounts to a bad, incoherent story.
I see what you mean. I also dislike the fact that Durge and the rest of the origins don't feel like my character. One of the reasons I'm really high on POE1 and DAO is the fact that my Watcher and Warden do feel like my own characters but no DOS2/BG3 origin feels like that. Sadly, everyone's Durge is the same necrophiliac cannibal which aren't even traits of Bhaalspawn. I'm really not a fan of Bhaal or Myrkul depictions in this game. Just compare BG3 Myrkul(hurdur I look like a Souls boss with cliche villain dialogue) to the awesome MOTB kniving POS Myrkul. The origins are also not as interesting as other preset characters from other RPGs like The Nameless One from Planescape Torment.
And you're right, there is no evidence that the original TavDurge is exactly same as the current Durge. The only evidence we have is that EA Tav had a dark urge that wasn't from the tadpole and that they were destined for conquest same as current Durge. My personal theory is that Larian separated them sometime in early access and opted for an "edgy" route for Durge (which isn't the best decision). Don't like that the Durge is a necrophiliac? Well, go play your custom character but you're going to miss out on half the story.
I do think that the origin system does worsen the story a bit, especially the fact that there are so many "main bad guy" because of each origin, but I think the late rewrites are the biggest culprit. Like so many contradictions and 180s around Moonrise Towers. The Emperor, SH romance post Moonrise, Balthazar not knowing where the Nightsong (who was originally a very different character) is when he is the one draining her...etc. But that's another topic.
All of the above are reasons why I'd like to see the original EA vision of the game.
As someone who loved PoE and think it and its sequel are some of the best crpgs I've ever played, I think your idea is entirely on the money and would be so much better than anything we've gotten in the game as-is.
POE1 is my favorite CRPG story wise. Unfortunately you have to do somethings in the right order for it to make sense but luckily the more you play it the better the story gets. PoE2 in it's current form is one of the best CRPGS gameplay wise but story wise it's kinda meh.
