Guess it could be done, right?

Theoretically.

Using only cloth, staves, fists and companions, what would actually make you level?

I think some of the main quest line has a level 15 minimum.

I remember reading the Bethesda blog about 2 weeks prior to release where someone from QA and someone from Dev had a race to the end of the game, Both got there at lvl 1 iirc and in about 1 hour 20 something minutes. So I assume from that it is possible to complete at least the MQ as a lvl 1.

You can advance skills without leveling: simply never enter the level-up screen.

But you would not get the perks. Some are really worth the title of perk. Like stepping on a trap and not setting it off (under sneak skill).

The speedrun time was 2 hours 16 minutes plus some-odd seconds, not under two hours, if that's what you're referring to

i think what they meant was, they did not 'level up' their hitting and blasting skills would be high, then again, all the bugs would be low level because, even though your 'spank skill is at 100, you are only level 1?

The devs who did that run stated that they did not level-up in order not to waste time in the lv-up screen.

I just have to say that of all the perks that are useful, that would not have been one I would have listed. I generally just walk around traps.

For the OP there is nothing BETTER about playing the at level one other than maybe saying you did it. The perks are fun, why exclude them from your play just to not level? Sure creatures get tougher as you level, but your a good player right?

Definitely not true. I beat it by level 12.

but there is a flipside to this. if you have 100 skill in a weapon, you'll do pretty high damage. But you'll be facing mobs at their lowest end of level scaling

Is more of a theoretical question, not saying imma do it

Do the creatures scale when you are *able* to level up or when you actually spend the points on health/mana/stamina?

I asked that a while ago and no one ever told me.

It's when you actually spend the points on health.

I'm doin a char with no level ups an I'm pretty sure I'd be level 18 by now at least, but the worst I run into is the second variant of the enemy.(EG Restless Draugr) Or if I run into a place with a set level(Chaurus's will just about 1 shot me. Managed to kill it though. Then beat a hasty retreat out of that place.)

With an openplay RPG, is the game ever finished?

Have you walked the length of the coast and counted the number of steps? What colours do the Horkers come in?

Have you washed your self over all the waterfalls (or even counted the waterfalls)? (Are there float mats to make it more fun?)

Have you talked to an abandoned dog, then taken it to your home? Have you set up a lost dog's service in your home?

Have you visited the Pale Pass and seen if the Ogres are still encamped? Have you lured an Ogre to a Giant?

There is so much to do other than the MQ that it is a pure immersion wonderland.