The manual has some of this information. Also if you search the forum you will find information scattered about. There is also a great deal of conjecture around skills. Some aren't even fully implemented. There is still some mystery involved, which in my opinion is part of the fun.
In addition to the OP; do your stats increase/decrease as you use/neglect them or stay the same from the beginning? (didn't see anything about stats increasing)
Also I read that you gain 10 skill points each time you level up, but i've also seen clips where people gain skills by doing things, specifically; running. Do you gain skill in everything i.e woodcrafting - from craftng wood, axe skill - from using your axe. In addition to the skill points you can distribute when you level up?