These are my top tips for starting Eschalon: Book 1.

Compare the Arcane and Alchemy skills. These fields have a lot of overlap.

Train up at least 1 ranged skill. This will make your fights a lot easier against Noximanders and Phantoms.

Save often. Reloading a quick save just before getting cursed is better than the alternative.

Read the attribute descriptions. Dexterity isn't mentioned as a preferred attribute for swords but it does affect your hit chance.

Having a high strength or a way to increase it will help with carrying loot, quests and casting spells with heavy equipment.

You might want to consider the Mercantile skill as you buy and sell a lot of items.

Your items should be safe to store in any chest. Locals may think you're stealing if you leave them in town though.

Be careful around NPCS. They will attack enemies nearby and they can die taking a quest or a shop with them.

Manipulate enemy position to fight 1 on 1. Find a doorway or create a temporary obstacle using demon oil.

At night I'd suggest using Cats Eyes or Predator sight. This will allow you to hit the enemy while they struggle in the dark.

Bonus. I noticed that I didn't get experience from kills when they died from poison even if that poison was caused by a spell I cast.