1. You can just dig it up. I think it's where the torches are. There is no actual totem.

2. One of the chests is not locked.

3. Maxine and Sam? In the mayor's house and in the inn respectively.

4. Throw a pyramid across.

5. Yes. In the city itself actually.

6. Quest in a later act. You can't actually do it now.

7. Merchants restock every level. And Diablo merchant gear was ass unless you wasted time getting specific character levels for gambling.

For Braccus, he's meant to be done at level 9/10. A fire elemental will tank his initial meteor storm no problem.