So I've been hearing a lot of buzz about http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/19281//? and decided to give it a try on a alt play through (been using SkyRe). While there doesnt seem to be nearly as many perks as SkyRe they do seem to be adequate for a new experience. But just by going through Helgan and into Riverwood I have noticed a MAJOR difference in combat and gameplay. I get 1 shot killed several times just in Helgan and learned that I NEED to save very often and plan my battles out, not to rush in, and wait for openings. I did knock the damage taken percent down to 50% so I can at least take 2-4 hits before dying.

Any ways I'm loving this and was wondering if anyone could give me some tips and tricks to this mod?

Also I found a note in Helgan along with a dagger saying to use a whetstone to sharpen it but could not find one. Are whetstones a feature in this mod or was it referring to the grinding stones?

Would that be a reference to the start of Morrowind, by any chance?

Can't help on most other points, I haven't tried the mod.

Yeah it is, but I also know of mods that add whetstones to Skyrim so I was wondering if it was an actual feature of the mod.

Well, stick to exterior cells while low level and Bandits (camps); spent (wisely!) the first three points given at level 1; and read the whole readme, and the manual.