Questions about the game before jumping in

So I just learned about Kenshi yesterday, and after doing some research, I've realized it sounds like one of my dream games. Ability to create your own objectives and do whatever the hell you want to in the game, fictional world with different cultures and species with their own interconnected politics, and huge world far bigger than something like Skyrim (I never was a big fan of Skyrim, anyways). However, before I jump into the game to give it a first go, I wanted to ask some questions specific enough that it would be difficult to find direct answers elsewhere, and I figured this would be the place of all places to ask.

1. If you set up a small settlement/building by a road, will NPCs actually stop by to rest and trade, like a rest stop? Could you run a Kenshi trading post/saloon? Or do you still have to directly interact with them as they pass by to do anything with them?

2. If you choose to go the thief route, are there actual important artifacts in cities that are guarded, beyond just more expensive generic loot found in palace chests for example? Is there like a legendary gem on display somewhere that you could plan to heist, watching guard patterns and using squad members to help pull off? I don't know why, but being able to plan and pull off heists similar to that in games is incredibly fun for me.

3. Are there any mods people suggest for a first time playthrough that don't change the core gameplay or mechanics, but are just general bug fixes/technical improvements that keep the game from breaking?

I know these seem oddly specific, but I was looking for more specific answers than just very broad things found elsewhere on the internets. Thank you.