Well, Quayle, a cleric-illusionist becomes available later. He's a very capable character, actually, and very funny. That's it, though.

The downside of Xzar is that since he is an evil character you can't let your rep get above 17 because he will leave. Not that 17 rep matters all that much--you'll be swimming in cash at a certain point in the game anyway, and you just get there a bit faster with 20 rep.

I like both Dynaheir and Xzar, so for me that is about an even trade.

A follow up to what I posted above: Edwin's amulet does give him one extra spell per level. With Edwin in the party I'd recommend having another mage around who can ID stuff, though, since it is a pain to trudge to temples or stores all the time for that. You can buy ID scrolls, but their qauntity in the stores is limited. Or Garrick or Eldoth could ID stuff as well. Actually if you are playing a bard yourself then Edwin works out nicely as a mage. His personality is abrasive, although as Six pointed out his voice is well done. It reminds me of a voice actor who did a lot of voices in the 60's for such cartoons as Space Ghost and Johnny Quest.

[ 02-07-2002: Message edited by: Lemernis ]</p>

<font color="cyan">Some mages can identify basic items on their own, as they usually get some kind of lore. I prefere Dynaheir, and although her lore is low on my game (5), she can identify any basic magical item....all wands, and all arrows. So it aint that bad! Give her one identify spell, and shes away!</font>