I've started playing this game about five times in the past, and each time got stuck on the same bug: whenever the first Iskai character joined my party, the game would just go completely unresponsive. It was a known bug that other players encountered. Nothing I tried to avoid it worked. So, despite my interest in the game, I had to skip on it. Is this bug fixed in this version of the game? Because that's the only thing that is stopping me from slam dunking whatever is left from my pay this month into GoG's hands. I'm really excited to give it a go again, but I don't want to replay the intro for the sixth time only to find out I still can't pass that point.

I don't know whether this bug is fixed in the GOG version, but I highly doubt it. In any case, it can be avoided. On the day of the ceremony in the council hall, don't enter the building on your own. Stay outside of it (or walk around in the city) until Tom says that it's time to go. You will then automatically "teleported" inside and the scene starts playing. This worked for me every time I played.

I haven't tried that solution before. I'll give it a go, then! Thank you!

I had problems with this freezing bug and followed Gaunathor's advice above, and it worked at least for me.

Cheers :)