[travcm]

A few things to note:

Intelligence is actually more useful than the stat description reads. It boosts base spell effect by 10% for every single point (not 7 points). 7 points may, however, provide a bonus 10%.

Money talents, even in hard, seem rather useless.

I now think that alchemy is one of the most useful talents. You'll need it if you want to have a decent variety of level 3 spells as a mage. Crystals aren't that common.

When you level up and have a choice, the Leadership increases are as follows:
Warrior: 60 x Level
Paladin: 50 x Level
Mage: 40 x Level

So if you are a Paladin turning level 10 it might offer +500 Leadership and something else.