Druids rock dude. They are among the most versatile, flavorful and powerful classes in the game. Do not fear the druid.
However, a witch might even be a better fit for the above party. It looks like both melee and ranged are covered and what could very much help that party is a buffer/debuffer/healer/utility character, and nothing beats the witch in that role.
Or you could just play a battle cleric if you want the most straightforward option.
You know too much, that's your problem. ;)
Druids don't Wildshape at all, at first. That comes later, and only a handful of (useful) shapes at the time. And that "full spellcaster" thing is only a handful of spells at first. Really, just decide if you want a wolf or a domain, and then simply jump in. Worry about what comes next level when you have the XP to level.
To be honest any full spell-casting class would be a boon to that party, but I agree that a witch is probably the best option next to a druid.
I would actually recommend a bard. Your group is lacking in detection ability, and a skill monkey can prove extremely useful. You have fair buffs and battlefield control, and some healing ability to boot. You can also drop ranks into Use Magic Device so that you can pick up wizard scrolls and items and serve as a high-damage dealer from time to time. Learn how to reliably feint and trip opponents in combat and you become an undeniable asset to the party.
My recommendation is witch, evil eye that AC. Your group horribly utterly lacks magic, a witch is the most arcane you can get without loosing on healing spells.
There is a wonderful Viking guide to witches somewhere around here to help.
If you want to join in and destroy stuff (the party seems to prefer kick-in-the-door-style), then an alchemist would do fine aswell.
However druids are a very good choice too, it's a bit less arcane than the witch, but got all kinds of fun spells.
I would even consider a summoner with that group, this way you add a bruiser, and have a character who can buff people all the time while still doing damage trough the eidolon.
Atarlost, you are looking at the bard class academically, and as such failing to recognize its usefulness and versatility. On paper the bard may look like a horrible mismatch of abilities and skills. In practice, however, the class works very well; you simply have to recognize that the class is designed to do a lot of different things, but an individual bard can only excel at a couple of these varied elements; the elements an individual bard specializes in can be selected from the entirety of the class' individual skills.
The bard is a jack of all trades, master of only a handful. That said, a bard is versatile enough to shine in his or her selected areas of expertise, while still remaining compensator in the others.
Right out of the gate, witches can struggle against undead. Hexes are a witch's bread and butter, and most of them won't work on undead because they're mind-affecting. If you decide to go with a witch, keep that in mind when choosing your patron and any archetypes. The gravewalker archetype is the witch's idea of spitting on undead and their immunities, though your party might not want an evil companion. Undead become less of a problem for witches at higher levels, since you can take metamagic feats that will allow you to use many of your spells against undead when you otherwise couldn't, and there are some potent major hexes that undead won't be immune to. Early on it's a potential pain, though.
If you decide to go druid, take a look at the menhir savant archetype. It gives you the ability to detect undead (among other things) at first level, which can be quite handy. If you're going to be hanging out in the desert for a good part of the campaign, the Walk the Lines ability might not get a lot of use, but it's still a very potent archetype.
There are lots of options:
Cleric, Oracle, Witch, Even Magus & Wizard. If you can be a Samsaran you can use an optional racial feature and gain bonus spells added to your spell list and can add Cure Spells to Magus and Wizard spell lists via the Bard/witch spell lists.
It's not the cures you need. Ranger can do that with a wand. It's the restoration line and condition removers. Some of those are only available as arcane via witch patron, which most have said isn't acceptable for the Samsaran ability since they're not on a class list.
Ah yeah I forgot about the restoration spells... though I use cure spells as a catch all for healing and condition spells.
If you use the Samsaran ability and add some damage spells to the witch spell list you can create a potentially well rounded caster.
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Actually, I know that we're starting in a desert region and that we'll be up against undead. How long it will last I don't know, but if that sways opinion at all it's something to consider.
CLERIC.
CREATE WATER, BURN UNDEAD, BUFF ALLIES, HEAL SICK, STAND STRONG BETWEEN SHOOTY-GUYS AND FOES.
Actually, I know that we're starting in a desert region and that we'll be up against undead. How long it will last I don't know, but if that sways opinion at all it's something to consider.CLERIC.
CREATE WATER, BURN UNDEAD, BUFF ALLIES, HEAL SICK, STAND STRONG BETWEEN SHOOTY-GUYS AND FOES.
Nice points there AM CLERIC.
Clerics are one of the better Middle line support casters. Of course Bards, Oracles, Summoners, Witches, and Alchemists fit in that list as well. Druids, Magi, and Inquisitors are more front line casters. Sorcerers and Wizards are last line casters. Pick where you want to be in combat and choose a class in that line. Now I have only listed casters as that seems to be the consensus of what is needed for your party.
Front line casters will be able to handle there own in combat with their spells using making that task easier. Middle line casters are using able to hold their own in combat reasonably well, but primarily focus on buffing their party members and de-buffing their enemies. Last line, or Rear Guard, casters focus primarily on fighting via their spells and are able to cast a spell for almost any occasion.
Disclaimer: These are my thoughts. As always YMMVD.
Profession is meant more for when you guys have in game time fly by. Such as a 3-Month time skip. You can make 12 profession checks to earn money in that time.
It is an excellent skill if you have a lot if in game downtime.
Traps can be handled a lot of ways. Though it depends on the GM. If your GM is cool a simple 10 foot pole can go a long way.
Actually Professions can have a bearing at any time, because when you have a profession skill you know about that subject. Profession (miner) can have a bearing any time you are in a dungeon. Profession (mercenary) can have a bearing any time you have to interact with hired muscle. Profession makes you a professional, and that garners respect with in that circle and iomplies a great deal of practical knowledge on the subject matter.
WIS 16 is the most I think you need. Most of the Cleric spells are buffs and curing and a high DC isn't required as they aren't offensive. Drop the wisdom down and put the points elsewhere to make the PC more rounded. High wisdom, IMO, is a trap for Clerics.
@EDekar: That is just... Yikes... I am sorry for you.
P.S.: my first 3.5 game was like that. The GM didn't know DnD rules at all and was using the Kobolds out of the 4e Red Box. Add in the GM-vs-PC mentality and well you can extrapolate the rest.
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I'd also agree on lowering your Wis to balance out those stats! You'll want Str and Dex to carry your armor and to help with your otherwise pitiful Reflex saves and boost AC/Initiative.
Here are my suggestions (spoilered because it's long!)
Try something like this:
Str 12
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 15+2
Cha 14
Feel free to switch out Dex and Str if you want a bit more melee capabilities. You'll want the Con that high since as the only spell caster (and major source of healing/buffs), intelligent enemies will be going after you and every hit point will count.
Even with being a human, you want skill points (you'll be the only source of good Knowledge Religion, and probably Diplomacy, too), some other skills that fit your character or provide additional support: Spellcraft, Knowledge Arcana, Bluff (trait for class skill), Sense Motive, or Use Magic Device (trait for class skill).
The 17 Wisdom means that when you hit level 4, you can get it to that nice 18. Alternatively, you can make your Wisdom 14+2 for 16, make the Charisma 15, and make that 16 at level 4 if you want more Channel Energy and better Charisma skills.
Since your deity's weapon is the heavy spiked shield, go with Improved Shield Bash as one of your feats. This gives you a single item for attack and defense and also means you will have a nice free hand for spell casting. Start off with a masterwork shield with the masterwork shield spikes if you can afford it (not sure what your starting gold is), and aim for eventually getting a +1 Bashing Shield and you'll have your primary weapon set (other than maybe replacing the shield spikes with different materials).
For other feats, Improved Channel, Extra Channel, or Turn Undead will help against the early undead. Dodge, Lightning Reflexes, Shield Focus (heavy shield), and Toughness will all give you an extra boost of survivability. Improved Initiative could come in handy, too (going first means your buffs are applied sooner).
Again, as the only source of magic for the group, you'll want a high AC for survivability. Go with masterwork breastplate; with that, the shield, and Dex modifier, you're looking at 20 AC which isn't too bad. If you are worried about heat, go with masterwork chain shirt which has a more bearable armor check penalty and does keep your movement speed at 30' at the cost of 2 AC. Eventually get Mithril Breastplate whenever you have a spare 4000+ gp to get the best of both armors.
If you're worried about traps, there's this nifty level 2 cleric spell: Find Traps. Once you find a trap, you'll just have to worry about creative ways to set it off or bypassing it safely.
Speaking of spells, since you said you're going to spend time in the desert, look into the Endure Elements or Endure Elements, Communal spells. Nothing like being the guy in breastplate not breaking a sweat in the hot hot sun!
Domains, I like both of the Travel subdomains as they have interesting abilities.
Traits, Deft Dodger, Reactionary, Dangerously Curious, and [url=http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/fast-talker] are all solid choices. If you want Perception as a class skill, see if he'd allow you to get the Osirion Pathfinder Society trait Tomb Raider (+1 to Perception and Knowledge Dungeoneering, 1 of your choice becomes a class skill) or the Grand Lodge Pathfinder Society trait Observant (+1 to either Perception or Sense Motive, that skill becomes a class skill).
Sorry this is a lot to take in; hope there's something good!
@EDekar: I know that feeling. In SW Missiuri it is rare to find someone who has even heard of D&D...