[LennonCook]

Originally posted by SixOfSpades: And you've completely forgotten that you get these exact same items working for the Shadow Thieves, too, not to mention a whole lot earlier?

They were already mentioned earlier in the thread as what you get from siding with Aran. I emphasised 'plus' to point out that you get the items Aran gives you either way you go.
Assuming a fully patched game, I admit it *is* possible to get Aran Linvail's Elven Chain mail which would balance it out a bit in terms of items you get, except that siding with Bodhi you get IT earlier than you would otherwise.
And so, powergaming-wise, which is worse: waiting an extra few quests to get a good Ring and one of the best Amullets (if not the best) in the game, or waiting for two whole chapters to get a suit of armour that would have helped you through what you just did?