I already played with a 4 players group with 2 animal companions, it was an absolute slog to wait for everyone turn. I can't imagine how more tiring it would be with two added NPC.
Dont want to acuse anyone or something ... But have you concidered that maybe, just maybe ... the problem was in people?
I mean ... even when i play solo i can easily have 5min turn.
In the words of the senior NCO instructor at cadet battalion: “If you ain’t cheating you ain’t trying. And if you got caught you didn’t try hard enough!”
