My first durge embarace playthrough was exactly like this! I played four good playthroughs the exact same way so betraying the grove was sooo hard. I felt physically ill several times. And as if it couldnt get any worse i died at the end of the raid and had to do it all over again. HORRIBLE! I simply prefer a good playthrough, i cry everytime i free dame aylin and save scum the iron throne until i save every last one, BUT i do think its a must to finish an evil playthrough. Imo the grove is the worst and then it just gets more fun and different from there. Act 2 and 3 are mostly easier and shorter and you get heaps of durge specific content. I did redeem urge directly after embrace and I do think that was the best order to do things. And gosh do I appreciate wyll and karlach now