Mages are by far the most powerful the most powerful character class in
the game.  You're probably thinking yea right, they only start with 8
H.P. and can use no weapons Armor or shields.  After they level up a few
levels and you gain access to some of Orrick the grays spells, you can
kick some major @$$.  To level up a mage, do all the tasks in east haven
except the goblins and the orc cave. Then export your mage and do it
again. On my second try, I was able to go all the way through the Vale
of shadows and the temple of the forgotten god with my mage only. If you
have heart of winter, you can find a ring called the ring of wizardry.
It doubles your first level spells. I can kill anything I fight with my
mage.