I remember getting to the stash in DOS2 was very inconvenient, because you had to fast travel back to where it was and then go through a few flights of stairs to reach it. It even took me a moment to remember that there even WAS a stash to begin with. I generally only ever sent keys to the stash after I was done using them so they wouldn't clog up my inventory.
Then again, the game doesn't really incentivize holding onto outdated unique gear due to the sheer quantity of them combined with how the itemization worked in that game, unless you had plans to upgrade a specific piece of gear to your current level if you have the related options turned on. Hoarder mentality is not something you want to deal with in DOS2.
Oh, the main things you should be aware of in regards to the crafting system for DOS2 consists of the following:
Mortar and Pestle + any Bone = Bonemeal
Mortar and Pestle + Starflower I think it was called? = Stardust
Stardust + Bonemeal = Pixie Dust
You can combine two smaller runes of the same type to create an upgraded version. I think after a certain point, you need to add Pixie Dust to upgrade any further.
You can also combine the elemental spellbooks with skillbooks of every other type to create a hybrid skillbook. You probably found that Blood Rain skill somewhere in Fort Joy, which can be normally created by combining a Hydrosophist book + Necromancy book. There's other ones like Hydrosophist + Warfare which creates a skillbook that teaches you a powerful touch range heal that also cleanses the Decaying status effect (though you need 1 point in Hydrosophist AND Warfare to use it, obviously).
There's a list of hybrid skills here:
https://divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com/Crafted+SkillsAlso, if you have a strength-focused character, I highly recommend taking a 1 level dip into Polymorph so you can use Tentacle Lash. It's a high power longer range attack, and it causes the Atrophy status effect after you strip them of physical armor, which disarms them for 1 turn. Incredibly useful.
