In reviewing my crash log [see post above], it appears that the game is in part crashing as some textures and animations that are needing to be loaded do not exist.
For Example:
Debug Message: LoadHKB could not load file Gfx\HKB\Items\Armor\Fallen Armor\fallen leather armor export C\fallen_leather_left_greave_C.hkb because it does not exist
WARNING: (CXFileData) FindRegisteredMaterialIDByName could not find registered material with name 'blinn1SG'
WARNING: Could not find animation 'K_Wagon_Idle_01' in animation sub pack 'K_Wagon_Idle_Animations' for animation pack 'WagonAnimationPack'
Seriously, why do these problems exist this far into the game's development. Internal code problems take time, sure, but problems due to sub files not existing is very high school.