Thank you for taking the time to create a large writeup. I noticed the game plays really dark on PCs ... usually. I'm genuinely unsure why. Somebody mentioned it has to do with the fullscreen mode but I haven't looked into it yet. Basically the colors are exactly what the LoSpec DELETE palette wanted but rendered in a "increase contrast dials to the max" way for some reason. This is a new one to me.
The first area does kick people off of it a bit too early I think. Lots of people leave without grabbing the loot or XP. The game does up you to level 2 invisibly if you don't kill the wolves and drops very good loot near the beginning of the cave but that's the less exciting route for sure. The true expectation is a complete map covered with empty chests and corpses of course! I love that you're still thinking in terms of "low AC may be good" lol.
You're correct about the fire serpents - once they have been injured with water magic (same for Trickster's brother) they are vulnerable to all attacks. The Trickster's brother's flames disappear if you hit him with a water spell but it's so subtle I don't know if anybody saw it.
The reward is a lightning trident that makes it easier for Hargir to harm the water snake but the thing was underpowered and Lightning Strike was really meant to prevent the players from being underpowered late game so I guess you don't need it. As for missing content - I'm fine with that under some circumstances but I don't think this game really nailed it.
Too bad about hitting 'E' and missing a screen - LocalMinimum had the same thing happen to him and he missed the conversation where he got exiled. He was walking through the forest and BAM he's on a boat starving to death. So, I think in the future I'll prevent WASD/QE from ever being the keys that accept/dismiss a conversation.
I'm really glad you liked the combat and the visuals. Those are the things I'm the most proud of. Cheers.