I wanted to respond to the question "to multiclass or not".
We have found it useful in the groups that I have gamed with
as a tool to round out the capabilities of a low level party
with few members. Or to allow the use of certain otherwise
prohibited weapons by party members-example, the use of edged
weapons by the fighter-cleric, or the donning of bulky metal
armor for combat by the fighter-thief. Races other than human
advance in levels dividing XP points between their classes,
allowing for slow growth of the character who trains when his
or her level and circumstance allow. We try to time it so that
most characters train at the same time, and valuable gaming
time is not lost in actually carrying out a blow-by-blow training program. Cost is calculated by the DM, as is success
based on the training taken.
Human characters in our world who multiclass do so at their
peril. Once they leave their primary occupation, they are no
longer allowed to progress in that rank. This was a trap to
ensnare those shadowy players who wished to be human, with
all the benefits that brings, but who wanted to be as powerful
and knowledgable as physically possible without the racial
penalties. And they still have to allot XPs to a class they
no longer ascend in.
Needless to say, people take their choice of class much more seriously, and more of the party are demihuman than human,
which is the reverse of the way it was when I first started
gaming. It makes things more fun, not less. At least, I think
so......
HUZZAH!