(EDITED I'm adding more about my personal build as the developer thinks I did a hybrid build and wondered around aimlessly)
I really wanted to like this game. At first, I thought it was going to be similar to Arcanum (but less buggy), with a setting that is original in fantasy RPG's. Visually the game is amazing and the designers should be very proud of the aesthetic they've created.

Unfortunately, the game has mistaken 'hardcore' gameplay for 'masochistic.' I can understand making combat tough and wanting to avoid it until it's unavoidable but to make a player nitpick every single skill point doesn't make a good game.

The game eventually becomes a series of Catch-22's that would make even Joseph Heller go crazy:
Do I use this skill point to be better at Persuasion, Streetwise, or Impersonate? I can't get past the guards by bluffing and I can't win in the fight against them.
I need to buy something to charge this respirator I spent 500 gold on for a quest. If I sell everything I find, it'll only raise maybe 50 gold since my Trade skill is so low. I can't steal because my skill is so low since I put skill points in Lore being as I'm a loremaster. I can't choose arena fighting as even if I win, I have to spend money on healing and it's so expensive. I can't make better potions to heal or vials to throw since my Alchemy skill is too low.

I did join a faction, I joined the Commercium in Teron who kicked me out with no warning at the end of Act 1 and then I kept getting killed in the Slums by thieves when on the first Boatmen quest. I was a loremaster and focused on Etiquette, Persuasion, Streetwise, and Lore (as suggested)

I'm sorry to not recommend this game, but I'm definitely interested to see what this studio comes out with next. Maybe I'll play a demo version if it's available.

(EDITED I'm adding more about my personal build as the developer thinks I did a hybrid build and wondered around aimlessly) I really wanted to like this game. At first, I thought it was going to be similar to Arcanum (but less buggy), with a setting that is original in fantasy RPG's. Visually the game is amazing and the designers should be very proud of the aesthetic they've created. Unfortunately, the game has mistaken 'hardcore' gameplay for 'masochistic.' I can understand making combat tough and wanting to avoid it until it's unavoidable but to make a player nitpick every single skill point doesn't make a good game. The game eventually becomes a series of Catch-22's that would make even Joseph Heller go crazy: Do I use this skill point to be better at Persuasion, Streetwise, or Impersonate? I can't get past the guards by bluffing and I can't win in the fight against them. I need to buy something to charge this respirator I spent 500 gold on for a quest. If I sell everything I find, it'll only raise maybe 50 gold since my Trade skill is so low. I can't steal because my skill is so low since I put skill points in Lore being as I'm a loremaster. I can't choose arena fighting as even if I win, I have to spend money on healing and it's so expensive. I can't make better potions to heal or vials to throw since my Alchemy skill is too low. I did join a faction, I joined the Commercium in Teron who kicked me out with no warning at the end of Act 1 and then I kept getting killed in the Slums by thieves when on the first Boatmen quest. I was a loremaster and focused on Etiquette, Persuasion, Streetwise, and Lore (as suggested) I'm sorry to not recommend this game, but I'm definitely interested to see what this studio comes out with next. Maybe I'll play a demo version if it's available.