1. I think you need high strength and endurance (not really sure the required stats)
2. You can talk to Rhot about the hunting contest, and you need to talk to bernard abou starting a festival in barshade(festival is always on Sundays from 12:00-22:00)
3. I don't think it does
4. You need to find Ste at Viccoria's cave after saving Korg, then take him to barshade after doing some of his quest.