Thank you for playing, and most importantly thank you for sticking with it when you encountered a game-breaking bug!
You're absolutely right, the lockpicking isn't at all clear on exactly how it works, it's something I'd like to redo and make much clearer based upon the feedback I'm getting.
The energy system was intended to me linked much more closely with other activities in the game, such as unlocking new areas and access to more events. It was also to be another way to sustain damage, by over-exertion. But alas I ran out of time and it doesn't serve a great deal of purpose in its current state.
I really appreciate the time you've taken to look at this, and I'm really pleased you had fun, i'll absolutely work on those issues.