The new version (from Steam workshop) seems to crash the game shortly after hitting [new game]. After revisting my poor reading comprehension I tested your Mediafire version (by merging Data folders as instructed above)

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Notes:
At the start: (I don't remember seeing this in the previous version): "You or your party member have gone and done it"... [they're at the inn] -- but not actually of course.
The new version skipped the: "I'd mistake this for a quiet beach"
Bairdoyt is present and banters with the guards, which is an improvement on previous versions, but the guards still remain unresponsive to player interactions.
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My own setup:
Currently using the new version of movespeed mod (RootTemplates\Player.lsb), as well as my own minor tweaks to Armor.txt (both verified working with companions).
Thanks for your efforts Rhidian
