I didn't quite understand what "Shackles of War" are.

My apologies, it's a habit from the third game – here they are called "Chains of Fate" (the names are different, but the artifact is the same).

There aren't any worthy artifacts either.

This refers to my situation back then.
And regarding the delay – I understand that now after reading the entire thread. But I started playing without reading (so as not to spoil the enjoyment). Maybe if I had opened the map in the editor, the priorities would have become clear to me. As it was, a lot of time was spent searching for the yellow tent (I didn't know that going further along the river would lead me straight to the demons) and on freeing the prisoner, who turned out not to be Rutger).
Personally, I would have enjoyed the game more if, at the beginning, there was some kind of introductory text in text mode (it would be more atmospheric and easier to determine priorities). Thank you.