I really don't have much to add to your voluminous post. As I've said I actually do like the proportions they're using for the Halflings now, that might be because Willow is one of my favorite movies. That said I actually think D&D gnomes should be more like what you want Halflings to be, which makes their absence as a PC so far more curious (think it might be related?)
I'm also maybe not as worried about what the choreography will end up being, based totally on Minthara's scene, which I first thought must have been left in by mistake. I'm glad they did leave it in, because it seems to be an actual look into their progress, as it apparently has gotten better and worse over the patches
Larian by all means take on Niara for consultation (if not more). I think the thread speaks for itself in that regard.
