I failed the strength check despite being a paladin and using inspiration. I never saw him again even after getting through nearly all of act 2. I’ve asked this before, maybe even in this community, but no one gave a concrete answer, likely because the game was still new.
Unpopular opinion: you are much better off without him.
Very unpopular
That’s been the only saving grace is that everyone says he’s the most annoying character. A friend even told me they got soft locked because of him and had to reload an older save.