I can’t speak for the standard situation but for BG3 it isn’t “cracked” it ist does not contain DRM. AFAIK this is true for BG3 across all sources for purchasing. You should be fine to play with him.

He probably had router access.

Yes speed decreases are typical. Pick what’s more important to you the speed or using the vpn.

Requires small businesses, as defined by the United States Small Business Administration, to receive consent from consumers before selling consumers’ sensitive data;*

Why carve out exceptions…