1. There is a Body Magic trainer on the village on the island after your FIRST transportation...2. I never realized you could drown in that thing... but most of the time any water can really be drowning... there isn't a lot of fords in the game i'm afraid (although I DO know a few lol)
3. Yes... you have to wait till Ravenshore for Chain... so don't buy the leather skill for those who can use chain... its just a waste of gold imo
any other questions... lemme know I'm still the resident expert on MM8... even after the few years I was gone