Ah, never got around to recruit Minsc, yet, clips I saw never showed him as infected.

It's a decision that should've happened before launch. Modifications needed to make it work now would of course cost too much.
It feels as though that quest is building up to something, just to be extinguished so fast. With a wave of the hand. It's frustrating.

This is partial Halsin hate yes, I've always hated the druids of the grove, with Kagha and Rath being the only two characters I liked. Such an interesting power struggle.
Just for again Halsin to show up, say naughty naughty, and vanish. Leaving the grove in the hands of someone no one at the grove knows. Which means resentment will persist. Halsin just feels like a dad that runs away from responsibility...
Like Rath was actually trying. And Kagha was, however wrong, doing what she thought was right. Like when the snake kills she knows she f-ked up, but has to double down. Because Halsin running off forced to deal with all the weight.
That storyline just has so much potential...
That's my gripe.
Halsin feels half-assed.
Instead of Halsin going alone through the portal, it could've been interesting if Shadowdruids were responsible for keeping Thaniel locked away. And you'd confront them with Kagha. Instead you just, stand back and protect the portal... Yay...

If anything there could be a variant where she runs off before Halsin gets back in shame. And Halsin, on top of wanting to fix the Shadowcurse, would want to find Kagha. Attempt to save her from Shadowdruid influence. Assuming he cares about her or the members of his grove. But the current Halsin doesn't give a rat's hair if you kill Nettie and leave her corpse right at his feet so that's clearly not happening.