how786,
Did you get a free copy of Divine Divinity included in your Beyond Divinity box? I strongly recommend that you play that first if you did. It is one of the most fun games you will have played and you will learn a lot about what to expect in Beyond Divinity.
If you got the free copy of Divine Divinity don't think for a minute that is is just a worthless game thrown into the box. It is one of the finest RPG's I have ever played, and that is a LOT of RPG's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Good luck, and give it a try...