Interface questions

[ZFR]

I finally started playing this game, and the interface feels a bit strange... It's like infinity engine, but with weird radial menus from NWN...

I just started and am in the mortuary with Morte. Anyway, a few questions:
1. Is there any way to see the message log (like in BG or NWN)? The messages just appear on top and disappear, and the dialogue log only contains dialogues..
2. Is the only way to cast spells through the radial menu?
3. How do you use thieve's abilities? they are not there in the radial menu... I realize I have no thieves yet, so will the abilities appear in the radial menu for them?
4. Are there any ingame special abilities descriptions? The litany of curses is explained in the manual, but what about any new abilities I gain?
5. What does the "Current State: normal" on the statistics screen mean?
6. Any way to switch ingame subtitles? I found subtitles=0 in torment.ini and changed it to 1.. does that apply only to movie subtitles?

And finally something not related to the interface:

7. I'm really reluctant to install any non-official mods, before playing the game at least once. I got the official patch 1.1. Does the unofficial fixpack contain anything crucial, or can I just skip it on my first run (no spoilers please).

Thanks all in advance.

[Curry]

I finally started playing this game, and the interface feels a bit strange... It's like infinity engine, but with weird radial menus from NWN...
Thanks all in advance.

It is Infinity Engine!

1. Is there any way to see the message log (like in BG or NWN)? The messages just appear on top and disappear, and the dialogue log only contains dialogues..

no

2. Is the only way to cast spells through the radial menu?

you can use quick keys

3. How do you use thieve's abilities? they are not there in the radial menu... I realize I have no thieves yet, so will the abilities appear in the radial menu for them?

yes

4. Are there any ingame special abilities descriptions? The litany of curses is explained in the manual, but what about any new abilities I gain?

No, but you can ask Morte about his special abilities and he'll explain

7. I'm really reluctant to install any non-official mods, before playing the game at least once. I got the official patch 1.1. Does the unofficial fixpack contain anything crucial, or can I just skip it on my first run (no spoilers please).

Don't skip it!! [url="http://www.bootstrike.com/Torment/files.html"]See this[/url]

[ZFR]

Thanks. I know it's infinity engine, but it feels strange. I used the right click for moving in BG and IWD and now everytime I click it, the weird menu comes up.

But it's just a matter of getting used to. Already it feels better.

One more annoyance is the lack of Quickload key. And the fact that quickload is on top always, so you have to scroll all the way up.

Otherwise the game is great by the look of it...

Once again, thanks for the answers.