I have a slith fighter, slith priest nephil archer and nephil mage. A male and female in each pair. I find they are happier travelling together.
Mage has the skill that enhances picking locks as well as mage enhancer.
Priest has in addition to priest enhancer ,divinely touched. She advances much slower--in Early Eastern Shores she is an 8 vs 9 and 10's for others. But she fights rreasonably well with spear and shoots well. Divine touch is very powerful and worth the exp penalty.
Please excuse any misnaming of game elements. I may be the oldest woman playing this game and may be descending into senility.