I used to play a lot and have all the original Bioware CD box sets, I'm keen to get into some multiplayer stuff. It's been almost 24 hrs since I requested a key, but I have heard nothing - surely there is a better way to do this and not keep people waiting so long ?

So can I just use my old keys please ?

So I just tried to connect to a multiplayer server and it worked without any keys. I could also start a server game too.

So are the keys already included now, or is there something I am missing ?

In other words, what do we need the CD key for ?

Bioware's server that checks NWN1 CD keys was taken down a few years ago, so there is no checking for this since then (the reason everybody can install and play the Premium Modules now).
Maybe NWN checks when you play local LAN multiplayer that every copy has a different CD Key, can't remember if it did that.

OK thanks for that. I won't be playing on LAN so I guess I am good to go :)

Yes, the BioWare keys will work as well. You can just insert/replace them into your nwncdkey.ini file.