Dogs balls, thanks Kostaz! That's exactly the kind of info I was after.
Although your opinion on it all would have been a nice extra. (a la DeepO)

I don't think I'll be influenced too much by this now - I'll just continue playing a more neutral path as per normal without thinking too much about the sequel.

However, I might try to maximise the ol' orens a little devourer style if it helps to expand the starting purse for The Witcher 2.