Right now, the world freezes when you aren't looking at it. Let's have those goblins find the grove on their own some number of days after you first arrive. If you don't move fast enough, you're either too late to win favor with Minthara or you aren't in a position to help defend. If you prioritize rescuing Halsin, you can be better prepared to defend the grove (or assassinate the goblin leaders), but it means you're not focusing on finding the gith for Lae'zel and maybe they're gone (or reinforced?) by the time you get to the bridge. Maybe that chest needs to get to the Zhent hideout in three days or the buyer will have moved on.
And night vs. day doesn't have to be a cosmetic thing at all. How about having the behavior of NPCs and other creatures change over the course of the day? Want to rob a shop? Go for the brash smash 'n grab in full daylight or try to sneak your way in when people go to sleep at night. Looking for a trophy from some rare animal? Fight it when it's alert and hunting at night or try to sneak into its lair while it sleeps through the day. Ambush the goblins late at night, when most of them have passed out from drinking, but knowing that your humans without darkvision won't be able to see as well.
This is definitely what the game should be...
But I fear it will stay this unliving world in which everyone is patiently waiting for you.
