I was getting ready to purchase the game, but then I read somewhere that there is no XP given for any battles/defeating monsters. Is this accurate? These seems counter intuitive. Isn't all RPG about the battles, strategy, and the ultimate victory? Seems like there is no incentive for any battle, unless this is a rogue like game. Am I missing something?

That's the point, you can solo and there's a stealth mechanic. You can fight past everything, but you don't have to.

This is an interesting concept...I just may try it. Thanks for the replies!

I don't believe you do, though I've never noticed one way or the other. I really can't see any reason for giving XP for meeting some pre-determined requirement, like being in favour with a group, or being (for example) a Cipher. That just would not make any sense.

But you do get XP for opening locks/disarming traps, which is not rolled but based on the skills you chose while levelling up.

Yes, but opening locks, disarming traps and such like, are skills that requires the player to spend valuable points in developing the appropriate skills. Being part of a group that allows certain dialogs is not a skill. Why should it reward the player with XP? The player has already earned XP on the way to becoming part of said groups, either via quests or conquests. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Definitely no, you don't, unless choosing that dialogue option serves to progress a quest - in which case you get XP for progressing said quest, not for clicking a dialogue option.