Don't worry about athletics... it doesn't have much of an impact that you'll care about. I'm sure Radek has the mathematical proof of it
Remember... there's no wrong way to play the game, just choices. Four characters does make it a little tricky, but you can add more later. Or sooner, even. That becomes handy during some battles.
I usually use two wizards to start, one specializing in stone and the other sun. Keep 'em there until they master their 7th level spells... but don't waste your skill points on their primary spell school. Train that in the guilds, which you can do at each level. Put the skill points on the other spell school.
Cleric needs to get level 4 vine and the cure poison spell. Trust me...
Fighters... focus on your weapon. Forget all else.
Thief... disarm trap. It becomes very, very important. When you get to Ishad N'ha-ha-ha, you can start training it in the guild.