I agree with the people who say to roleplay it. As for items and experience, there isn't one single item that will make or break your game, and likely most of your characters will reach the highest possible level attainable under the XP cap. I feel that it is important that you get the most out of the story. My first time through the game I didn't have Crom Faeyr, Carsomyr (no paladin), or Celestial Fury, and I was able to complete the game just fine. I am sure that if one was so inclined, they could take a party of mages and priests through the entire game naked, not using any wearable items, only defensive spells, summoning, Melf's Minute meteors, etc. Irenicus doesn't use weapons or armour, after all.
*Spoiler*
I have heard that certain lawful good characters will leave your party if you choose Bodhi's side.
I personally don't want to ever choose Bodhi's side, even if the material rewards happen to be greater, I gain more personal satisfaction from beating their backsides, and delivering a blow to their arrogant pride. What's better than kicking the crap out of a den of vampires? Doing it twice!
As a side note, my first time through the game, I only had to listen to her servants talking, to know that I didn't like her. They referred to her as "The mistress", and one of the vampires said that I must "obey the mistress". My character is of chaotic alignment, and the thought of being required to refer to someone as "the mistress" is none too appealing. At least when performing tasks for the shadow thieves, they don't make it sound like you are under the whip.
I agree with a previous post though, that the shadow thieves themselves are evil. Also, when you first talk with Gaelan Bayle, he makes it sound like they will retrieve Imoen for you, all you need to do is pay 20000 gold and they'll do the work. Seems not! All they do is hire a boat for you to go to the island, and you even have to kill the rival guild for them! Even that thief that Aran Linvail has travelling on the boat with you, who he says is there to protect your safety, she doesn't even help you fight when you are ambushed!
Perhaps there should be a "Kill 'em all" mod. It would be good to destroy every organization in the city. Shadow Thieves, Vampires, Cowled Wizards (Oh boy, did they get off too easy, or what?), and perhaps even the Harpers. After doing the Xzar quest in the docks district, I began to see the arrogance of the Harpers shining through. They seem awfully proud of their schemes, they do, and tricking others into doing the dirty work? Well they left a bad taste in my mouth, but this would be best left for another topic, I suppose.
