Training cost is 100 gp, then 200, 300, etc... total of 3600 gold for level 8.
Asterisked items are available as the "free" skill for a class/alignment combo.
TRAINER (to level
AND BOOK (to level 10):Alchemy
Arcane, Divination*
Arcane, Elemental*
Cartography
Forage
Hide in Shadows
Move Silently
Pick Locks*
Weapons, Bludgeoning*
Weapons, Bows*
Weapons, Cleaving*
Weapons, Swords*
TRAINER (to level
ONLY:Repair
Weapons, Thrown
BOOK (to level 1) ONLY:
Armor, Light
Armor, Heavy
Armor, Shields*
Dodge
Lore*
Medicine*
Mercantile
Skullduggery
Spot Hidden
Unarmed Combat
Weapons, Piercing*
NO TRAINERS OR BOOKS:
Meditation
Meditation is not available as a class-based skill, so the best you can do to use those free points is Shields, Lore, Medicine, or Piercing Weapons... none of which are particularly necessary or useful skills for the min-maxxer. Piercing Weapons is available for the Nefarious Cleric, however, one of the more attractive options. Nefarious probably is the best alignment given cost-benefit analysis. Druidism is dangerous -- it has the best bonus, but it has the worst drawback, and can be irritating when underground. Atheism is to be avoided because buffs are still overpowered.
The Druid Cleric has Medicine, and the Druid Fighter has Shields.
Stats:
Unless things have changed since book I in non-obvious ways, max Perception or Endurance for the creation MP/HP bonuses, probably Perception. If you aren't waiting for trainers to take spells, get Int or Wis or both up to 15.
Thoughts?
I ansered this in a round about fashion in another subject area.