Are there any safe boxes or chests where I can stick my excess inventory - such as in the Temple of Tyr? I tried leaving some stuff in the ruined tower - after chopping ol' Luxor's head - but it disappeared. Can NPC's take treasure lying on the ground? Can you get your handy dandy henchman to carry anything? If not, where is a pawn broker?

Depends where u want to store them. You can try putting them in the Divinig pool in the temple of tyr for safe keeping?

I've been keeping stuff in every barrell, box, crate, and chest around the core and I haven't lost a thing. In fact, I left a large number of items in the street and haven't lost that either. I sold most of the stuff before going to chap 2 but kept the jewels in a case and haven't lost them yet.

just use lots of magical bags, keeps your inventory nice and tidey and keeps thw weight down, no need tp leave anything lying around then...not that I have ever found the need to use that many inventory slots myself anyway.