PC (GOG) - Hotfix #30, system spec is in my signature - I am not using GOG Galaxy to launch the game, nor am I using the Larian launcher, I just launch the game using BG3.exe. - No mods in use.
1. The floor puzzle can be bypassed with lock picking the lever on the wall .. Is this supposed to be allowed?
Yes, this has always been possible. I think there’s a perception check to find the lever without solving the puzzle.
2. Also a slight quirk in this area, when trying to operate the lever, your NPC walks up the small stairs to position above the lever on the little balcony, you cant just walk up to the lever on the floor level .. Just seems to be a weird pathing issue in this area.
But I think this is a new niggle with patch 9 and I noticed it too.