[Morgeruat]

The journal isn't as powerful as the BG2 one, but is a very nice tool (the BG1 journal was clumsy and poorly implemented)

My recomendations are Wis, Int, and Chr in that order Str/Dex/Con are less important, and you'll miss alot of the game if you're not smart/wise/charismatic enough to get all the dialog options. Wis also affects a hidden stat called "luck" which increases damage, to hit, chances to perform other tasks, as well as increasing EP gained for quests (wisdom, not luck).

Wait until you leave the Hive before making your decision on the game, I got really bored with it the first few times I tried to play it because the starting areas are so flat and relatively non-interesting (unless starting a war with hookers is your thing)