[andrewas]

Id consider the idea of dumping classes altogether. That way you would have players who know a little of everything (general hint for any RPG ever, jacks-of-all-trades are worth their weight in gold. platinum. diamond even.), and those players who would play pure fighters. But youd also allow players to have excellent fighters who can also fling the odd spell, and mages who do kung-fu, and whatever. Very flexible system, but a nightmare to balance.

ON your current idea, im, not sure of the idea of stumping. Perhaps im thinking too much of D&d, but gaining one point in fighter halves your mage level? permanently? maybe reduce it a bit, but that seems to harsh for me.