Hi Kwialek.
I will try to answer a few of your questions for you from my experience so far.
I find the game to have a lot of freedom, you can wander anywhere you like, quest items/password allowing.
As yet I have not come across any mounts, saying that, you don't need them as there is a network of shrines to port you to where ever you want to go.
You can talk with most npc's, some more in depth than others. I must warn you some of the conversations are hilarious.
You can change the appearance of your chosen character in-game with the help of Illusionist.
There is no sleep or wait, it is not needed in DKS.
Hope that helps you a little.
