I haven't seen any posts on the message board regarding bards, so I thought I'd chip in. Definitely get a bard for the party, for at least a part of the time. In addition to being able to play the magical instruments (like in the original Wizardry series), Bards can learn both Moon and Fiend spells like the Warlock. (I know, the player's handbook says Moon magic, but it's wrong...bards learn from both schools.) In addition, Bards are pretty decent fighters (like Thieves), and they learn sneak, traps & locks, and pickpocket. If you start with a wizard, ascend him/her to Bard rather than Warlock. The Ascension quest is fairly easy as well; you get a scroll from Kreug's chamber above the Serpent Temple library (the same place where you get the Serpent Wand).

Just my two cents; hope it helps. Hope everyone is enjoying the game so far!

Paris S.