starting over with better insight

[Noble Wolf]

As early as you possibly can get to Ishad N'ha - this is where you have all the guilds and most importantly this place solves all your money problems.

Get someone to join the Way of the Dragon guild at the Bushi Dojo and have them buy TAKEKATSU Arrows ($450). Then take these little beauties over to smithy and sell them (@$2000).23rd rule of aquisition buy low low sell high. This is not a bug and works with the patched game.(Something about how cool the smithy thinks these arrows are.)

[Bungleau]

Be sure to read through the Best tips thread (I feel like a broken record). A lot of these things are covered there, sometimes in agonizing detail (guilty as charged!).

My preference: three warriors, a priest, and two wizards. No rogues (check my comments on page 6 or 8) -- don't need 'em. Spend skill points only on things you can't raise at the guilds. That means nothing on sword, dagger, magic (with the exception of raising to level 1 or perhaps 2), lockpick, and so on. Spend those points on sorcery, gallantry, and other things that can't be trained in the guilds.

Likewise, don't add ability points to anything but fortitude, will, and presence. Other things you can raise in the guilds, including presence, actually (IIRC) by donating at the temple. Check the best tips thread on this, too. It's more accurate than my memory.

Specialize one wizard in stone, the other in sun. Get them to level 7 ASAP so you can get level 7 spells. Life in the Gael Serran is much easier when you've got a firestorm or meteorstorm (or two) that you can call on when needed. Get the Priest up to level 4 in Vine to get the Cure Poison spell. You'll want that soon... trust me.

Stick to swords and daggers for most fighting. Add staves if you want; mace doesn't do a whole lot (you find much nicer swords).

Whew! That's enough rambling for a bit. Everything in here (and more!) is covered in the Best Tips thread.