In combat on the left side of the message window there are red circles which are similar to a bullseye. There is a number percentage within the bullseye. That does this indicate?

On the same bullseye there is a light bulb symbol, which I read indicates a lack of light which decreases hit probability? But no matter what, the light bulb stays there, regardless of where I fight, whether I have a torch, etc.

I hate to ask so many questions but I can't read the screenshots in the manual that explains most of this. Thanks again!

% in the bullseye is your chance to hit. It doesn't take into account the enemy dodge skill.

Light bulb is lighting. You are probably fightout outside at evening or early morning, therefore everywhere has lighting penalties, or in a dungeon/cave/interior, where everywhere also has at least some lighting penalty usually. Light bulb is on a gradient of about 20%, so at the worst lighting you will hit about 20% less. If your opponent moves closer to a lightsource and your % increases, but the lightbulb stays there, then that means you still aren't hitting at the max rate but you aren't going as bad as it can get. The light spell or a lantern in the shield slot helps this a lot.

Other symbols:
Eye squint: range affecting chance to hit
Brickwall with red NO circle: target completely blocked
Brickwall with silhouette on the side: target partially blocked
Arrow missing a bullseye target: out of range
Metal weight: minimum strength required on weapon not met and penalizing you

Thank you. I have the spell Strength of Earth to raise my strength. I can also cast it on one follower. My Willpower is set at 8. What do I need to do to cast it on 3 people at once instead of just 2? My Charisma is at 8 if that matters. Thanks.

You can only have 2 buff spells active at 1 time in arcanum, it sucks i know :(

maintained spell limit = int x 4

you are asking a lot of questions that could easily be answered by reading this faq dogeddie

it's for new players

http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/914155-arcanum-of-steamworks-and-magick-obscura/faqs/63974

Surely you meant Int / 4? Otherwise someone with 20 intelligence could maintain 80 spells at once. Instead of 5, which I think is the real number.

Anyway, to clarify for the OP, you need to get a higher Int stat in order to maintain more spells at one time. Maintained spells show up at the top of the screen, and you can click there to turn them off.

Wow seriusly? this i actually did not know, very interesting, is it still limited how many you can have on you though?

Yes that's what I meant. Wrote it at 6 in the morning.

Edit: there's actually one more symbol that is the same as the arcanum.exe icon (blue magic spiral inside orange gear). It means your enemy's aptitude is affecting your chance to hit because of the magical/tech nature of your weapon.