out of Jan, Ariee?? and Imoen( once i save her) who should i get rid of?

Depends on which other party members you have.

Jan is very funny in general, in my opinion a must-keep.

Also, the plot drives you to rescue your sexy sibling, Imoen. Soooooo, I generally take her along for plot reasons (i.e. for my main character to have his wicked way with (kudos to the Imoen romance mod :D )).

Aerie is a decent all-rounder, she is a good cleric and a good mage... but I usually have another druid/cleric in the party already... so she is out.

So basically, I'd keep two of them :D

Jan: only thief in the game who can level up (ignoring Yoshimo for obvious reasons). IMHO must-keep if you have no thief as PC and continue to ToB, not because a thief is that necessary in the BG series but because I think every party should have one.

Imoen: Must-keep if you have a good aligned party and plan to roleplay on it. A good aligned character wouldn't ditch his sister in such a crucial time. Also a top mage (can wear elven chain and still spellcast)if you have no other (which would be Nalia if you have a good aligned party)

Aerie: Nice to romance if you are a paladin or the like. Yet multi-class chars are not so useful IMHO. Better to take Anomen for a Cleric and Nalia/Imoen (preferably Imoen) for a mage.

This is if you have a really good aligned party (Paladins, Rangers, etc.)
If you play a mix (good and evil chars)

Imoen: depends on how much sidequests you have done before getting her as she may be weaker in XP than your other party members. But she is still your sister.

Jan: Depends on how hilarious or annoying you find him. Still he is the only available thief.

Aerie: She has many party interactions (with Minsc, Haer'Daelis or YOU if you romance her). Keep her as a cleric if you can't stand Anomen.

If you are EVIL

drop Aerie because she is weak, pathetic and always whining

I reccomend you to keep Aerie if you're good aligned and if you need only one mighty spellcaster!

To be honest Aerie is the sweetest great power I've ever met.
It is difficult to advance her to highest levels, but if you do ...

Imoen is weak thief (she can become strong thief with certain potions), but strong spellcaster because she is a mage and she does not advance her thief class any further after some level.

Jan - if you want a thief he is the man.

The npc choice is difficult, but if you're wondering too long you'll forgot to play. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Dump Jan. I never had him, and got on with the game just fine.

In fact, Jan is great for the first time you have him in the party. All the humor he is surrounded with (remember a dialog with his ... relative on his quest) is just great. But power-wise he is not much of interest. It is fine to experience all his dialogues and then thrash him for Imoen [img]smile.gif[/img]

Plus those skulls (forget what they are called...Bruiser Flasher Mates or summat?) he can make come in kinda handy, been a few times when i've been in a pickle and those little skulls have stunned enemies just at the right time! He doesn't really have many offensive spells (correct me if i'm wrong) but he does have Magik Missle and Chromatic Orb! I like the little fella! him and his dang turnips...

Heh, for the beginning those Flashers are just great. But they allow a save :( Means that at later stages nearly noone will be stunned by them. POint of keeping him?

Imoen, on the other hand, is a better mage, is your sibling after all, and is a semi-decent thief (some potions may correct that semi to just decent [img]smile.gif[/img] ). After all, she is ah-so-sexy girl (I was dreaming for Imoen romance since the very beginning of BG I... she is most nearly the type of girl I like most).

JUst read this advice and choose marco.