Permadeath yes (at least my house rules +1 respawn allowed per Forsaken Power gained due to playing when I'm.. not all there so to speak) really makes a difference; speed running however is not for this old timer :)

Cheers though, good luck and have fun!

Edit: Urggh: speaking of which; just died to a Troll thrown rock as I was approaching to atgeir him... sigh.. oh well counting this one as permadeath due to earlier self induced death (swimming malfunction at 4AM). Was exploring and got Karve stuck on rock at night, disembarked to push off and small island has... Troll.. should've won that fight just ate the rock stupidly.