I found expert to be a little too easy with a warrior (not a thief or mage though) but master might be a little too hard. I am still having a TON of fun with it though, but it takes me such a long time to slowly chip away at a superior enemie's health and run away. I have a sword and board Orc - 1H, heavy armor, block, archery, smith - but I am not allowed to craft my own armor, buy armor or weapons, fast travel, use companions, and things like that. How would you put points into your health and stamina? I am level 17 and I have only put one point into stamina so far because I just never seem to have enough health. What perks would you definitely get, or avoid?

Your Orc should be smashing through enemies when you've raised your smithing higher, enemies have more health on master so it will feel like your only whittling their health down, until your weapon is stronger. For a group use your berserker power, that'll mean you deal double damage, while receiving only half so don't forgot to use it.

You feel like a glass cannon because you haven't smithed your armor up, if you won't buy armor or weapons how about buying a ring or necklace of health?, gives a nice boost to health so you can then put some points into stamina so you can dish out a few power attacks.

I have found sword & board to offer too little damage output. Dual wield does double the damage and the power attacks are great. Sure you have a little less protection but finishing off opponents quickly is a much greater advantage.

I played through the whole main quest without fast travel using only full iron armour and an iron war axe, shield and bow and arrows. Alchemy is a really useful skill, just walk around grabbing every ingredient you see especially blue mountain flowers and yellow butterflies to make health potions, make good use of shouts and when you can't win a fight make sure you know when to run away and use the environment to your advantage (traps, long falls etc.)

Get yourself a follower if your running into tough mobs, always have potions and try not to get hit. Ever.

I made two melee character in master difficulty, both use two-handed weapon:

1) Nord, heavy armor, mace --> i died too much, i've put the first points in stamina, didnt like the outcome.

2) Orc, light armor, axe --> i like it! i've a lot of points in health, when i begin feeling more confortable in fights, then i've put points in stamina, 1/1 now.

Hint --> the quick reflexes perk must be taken very early, cause it allow you completely avoid power attacks, then fight back with your power attack. It allow you either dodge or bash the oponent in time.

Invest a few perks in Alchemy and stock up on potions, they'll help you out in times of need.

Don't be a shamed to run away from combat when the enemy is too tough, you can always come back later when you're stronger.

Enjoy yourself on Master, its the way forward

I would definitely skew your points toward health rather stamina...something like a 3:1 ratio. I'd recommend the Lord stone for the damage mitigation and some magic protection.

I'd avoid the slow motion perk for Archery; its not really required, especially for a character with close quarters melee skills.

Unless you like Alchemy, I see no need for it as long as you allow your character to buy potions.

I like taking the Speechcraft tree at least up to the Merchant perk.

The Block tree is very worthwhile.

tilde - then tgm. you can thank me now.

if you're not on pc, you're not worth my time minion.
[kidding there, mate]

spoilers:

well other than perhaps making new armour I think your standards are a bit restrictive. I mean i do not spam iron daggers and such as I did when I first played but I allow myself to use any minerals ive gathered and build whatever.

Best combo is dual weilding maces as far as I am concerned. My fighter makes mince meat of anything because of the ignore armour bonuses it means that every power attack hurts. I also soak up a tonne of health potions by trading all my useless ones and other potions I make for increases in alchemy, such as fortify heavy armor (as I use light). So not only am I getting money and alchemy skill but I increase speachcraft via trade.

I also use sneak attack with bows and try to drain as much health off the enemy first because a bow will come in handy for dragons till I get dragonrend.

I started a thief one haded/light armor on master, was really hard and fun. a follower to use as a meat shield will do the job, I'm lvl47 now and never changed the difficulty settings

I found master no problem with my thief but playing adept with my spellsword. For right now it's still challenging if my perks start to make it too easy will move up. I mean bears right now kill me in two attacks