Walkthroughs for custom maps.

("Wayfarer")

a normal completion time is 6-9 months.

Thank you, you've reassured me; that's a normal timeframe for me too. Lately, if a map takes longer than 6 months to complete, it can start to tire me out, especially when there's little freedom and variety (there's nothing to explore/clear, we just stand around waiting for something to happen...).
I was lucky with the skills: all the good ones appeared on their own; I didn't even have to visit the huts in the dungeon and pay for access to them (by that point, all the slots were already occupied). The only disappointment is that I didn't get intelligence; it would have been easier with it, but for now, I have a little mana, so I have to spend it sparingly.
I saw a video the other day where a guy was upset because he couldn't complete the first week. I also couldn't do it without preparation at one time, but now, after reading the tips, I managed it. There doesn't seem to be a strict time limit after that, and there aren't any particular difficulties either; you just need to pay close attention to your surroundings.