As someone else who is also currently on their 6th run, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you've said. I won't lie that I am massively curious to see what lies further down the Risen Road, or through the Mountain Pass near the Selunite Temple, & might well largely avoid the Underdark in my first official playthrough in August. I am especially keen to find this creche, and to locate the kidnapped Duke. On another note, one day I might actually figure out how to kill Nere in a way that I can claim his head.
In my most recent playthrough, I have discovered the sheer joy of Wild Magic. I usually prefer more martial characters, but my Wild Mage Sorcerer has been an absolute hoot!
