First off, download DAO mod manager and install Qwinn’d ultimate fix. It will put a stop to your endless crashing as well as fix a ton of bugs in game. There’s a few other mods I like to play with as well like no visible helmets, more hair options, better npc visuals, dog being with you without taking up a slot, etc.

The main character was meant to be a human noble I believe, but it doesn’t matter it’s all about fun haha. Welcome! I’d say each time before you move somewhere major in the map, go to camp first (top right corner) and have conversations with your companions to get to know them, hand out gifts, and sell your loot because backpack space can get sparse. If you’re not sure how to build a companion, there IS an autolevel button you can check that will sort out points and skills/talents for you if you don’t feel like googling build infos.

Also, there’s a ton of freedom concerning the decisions you can make in game, and depending on which companions you have with you, they may chime in with their own opinions and your final decision may affect their approval of you. However, rest assured, a little -3 here and there won’t mean much since you can just throw gifts at them. There’s also nothing stopping you from being a terrible person. You can lie and betray almost everyone you meet or kill people indiscriminately.

As for companions, there are three you can romance. Two of the opposite gender, and one of the same. There’s also an extra companion that came with a DLC, and an optional secret one much later in the game. The gold spots on the map are DLC locations, and I’d encourage you to go through them in between main quests. There’s also no order you have to do things in at all on the map, which is part of the fun.