2) Rescue Karlach as early as possible, if you know how (navigate through Zelvor's cave to a high ground and then jump down over the river with your main character - Karlach will not want to talk to anyone but your main character).
I use bridge to Blighted Village and then Scratch's Leap to cross the stream to get to her without any fights.
9) You can get to level 6 in Act 1.
Counting the Mountain Pass map - lvl 7, I'd say.
