Unless Orpheus has been confirmed as a shifter, it remains a deus ex machina, especially considering that if he were that, there will be no need for a tadpole in the first place, nor would the ceremorphosis be instant were he to infect himself on purpose, especially since time doesn't pass on the Astral Plane.
Again, it's obvious that the companions are unrelated to one another (as for being from different places in the FR - 4 out of 6 come from Baldur's Gate (Shadowheart, Wyll, Astartion, Karlach)), the problem is that their conflict of faith and personality are not in any way affected by the tadpole or the Emperor nudging you to develop illithid powers. In fact, the Emperor does not interact with anyone but the PC at all. Considering that Shadowheart was the original attuner for the Prism, it's at least strange. Not much point in re-iterating the original post's points here.
Whether you want it or not, Tav is "the leader" of the group. Even on first invite to the party, the others tell you to "lead on". And both emperor and orfeus refuse to talk to any other party member, saying they are not ready for the task (or something like that ) and tell the unfortunate companion to send "the leader" to talk.
It"s one of the things that is a bit immersion breaking for me. Why does everyone automatically bow to me as leader ? Something to just accept and get over, I guess.
