[Gimli]

I like Rawulf for Priests - I don't bother too much with Int because I don't go for powercast with them. I'd start Int off at some # with a 5 on the end (45 for example), and be content to raise it by 5 in the Trynton fountain. I try to max Pie first with Priests. Dex, Str and Vit are the other stats I'd go for, probably in that order.

Also re: 2 bishops and a Priest. Basically I use them differently. One Bishop I would have learn the Priest and Wizardry schools. He'd be used mainly for offense, and as a back-up healer. The other would go for Psionics and Alchemy, he'd be the "designated haster", and for more offense. The Priest is solely there to buff/cure/heal, and will be really effective quickly that way compared to Bishops. It's probably best suited for large parties (I always liked having 6 party members and 2 RPCs). You have enough offensive characters that way, and having one character devoted to defense I found is invaluable.

I used to stick the Priest into the middle rank - my last party's formation was usually like this:

Front - Dwarf Fighter(sword/shield); RFS-81(martial arts)
Flank - Human Monk(staff)
Flank - Mook Ninja->Ranger(giant's sword)
Middle - Vi(polearm); Rawulf Priest(staff)
Rear - Felpurr Bishop(mace+flail/shield); Elf Bishop(mace+flail/shield)

So the Priest was pretty safely tucked in the center rank where he almost always just cast defensive/buffing type spells. But with the extended weapon he could attack things the front guys could hit too. And sometimes I would switch him and Vi with the 2 Bishops if enemies managed to get behind the party. Priests are nice that way too, they can wear good armor and get pretty good HP - not bad as emergency tanks.

Out of the "exposed" front line and flanks, everyone had Stealth which really helped (and it was "true" stealth, not the cheesy "trained in the Monastery" at level one variety) - well except for the Dwarf, who had natural damage resistance, plus ironskin, plus fighter HP, plus a shield [img]smile.gif[/img] Everyone but the front guys used extended range melee weapons. It worked out really well for me, and hopefully gives a better context to how I used the Priest.