Depends on what alignment you're after really. Evil NPCs (Edwin, Viconia, Korgan) will leave if your rep gets above 18.
If you prefer a good aligned party Nalia is a pretty handy mage - she was dualled early enough so that it doesn't interfere with what level spells she can memorise, so I tend to view her as a straight mage rather than mage/thief. (especially as her thieving skills are nothing to get excited about!)
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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
Epona of The Laughing Hyenas and The Ladies Guild.