Here's one tip. If you want to have some acrobatic skill and don't want to be an Entertainer, human race has an option for skills. Most other races will be limited if starting as a Sorcerer.
I decided to go half-orc after restarting from my last build. But It seems like I'm missing dialogue options here and there compared to other races. Could be a bug, I dunno, but it's lame and needs to be fixed wither it was intentional or not.
All joinable characters do not betray you, so don't worry. But it isn't without conflict mostly between Laezel and Shadowheart. I'm playing it on PS5 and it took about 6 hours to download for me as well with gigabyte speed internet, tho PS5 is limited to 700mb speed.
Here's some stuff to help guide you through the game.
Interactive Map
https://mapgenie.io/baldurs-gate-3Approval (for all characters, started on Astarion)
https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Astarion/ApprovalInspirations (Interactive Map also shows this but not all)
https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Inspirations
