Flotor

I am currently in the character creation screen and I was wondering how important it is to max out the "main" stats. In Baldurs Gate there were some nonlinear effects when going from 18 to 19 for example which made this step more or less mandatory. Are there similar mechanics in Pillars? Or is it okay to have for example only 17 int for an mage and get more in perception for example (for it might give access to more story stuff)?

I bought the game and now I am in the character creation screen. I am wondering whether there are attributes which enhance the game experience significantly in terms of story telling. I am asking that as I played Planescape Torment and I remember that it was nearly mandatory to have intellect and especially wisdom as high as possible to get the really good dialogues.