hm. that's very strange. I loaded the game with all available items and the triggers to get the apprentice robes and progress the story beyond the village progression checkpoint simultaneously, and the extra long conversation returned to Bale's parlor at night with no issue. that's why I suggested it might be the loading of save states, but if it happens during a fresh file, too, I'm at a bit of a loss! I'll have to keep looking and maybe split the scenes up or something.
I'll handle the minor save crystal bug quickly and look into the chest opening bug as well, though, I'd say that being able to open chests a bit easier isn't quite as pressing, thankfully. as for the arrows, they're arranged to try and simulate the directions that you had come from and are able to go, regardless of the room you're currently in, since you aren't rotating around all four directions in every room you occupy. I can see how it comes off a bit more confusing that way, so I'll look into adjusting some of the arrows, but this, too, is lower down on the list. would it help if I made maps of the dungeons available to view/download as a pack-in extra?
also, you're a real gem for illuminating these things for me! thanks so much~