I prefer light, my MM partner prefers dark. It depends on your style of play. Light path has great buffs and defensive spells (things that don't do damage directly, but put your enemies in a position to be avoided or to die easily). I like playing light because I'm always looking for ways to make a fight unfair in my favor, and I like to experiment around with spells and moves (has anyone ever gotten Slow to work?!) even if it takes longer. Dark is straight up kill, kill, kill. If light magic is a scalpel, dark magic is a buzz saw. My MM partner doesn't even know what Slow is supposed to do, but she sure knows which end of the dagger goes stabbity. Also? We're not very good gamers (hence we partner up so we can switch off when we're bored/frustrated) so dark is plenty challenging. (Razza frazza Breeding Zone.)
Suggestion: save just before you choose, finish the game on one path, then reload and finish again on the other. What it lacks in purity of purpose it makes up in lack of low level slogging. Purity enough. Ole!
As for the boulder problem, go talk to the dwarves in Stone City.
-SS
