Ok, everybody is talking about improving the fighter for higher levels.
I am for giving the Fighter class several abilities for dealing with the local population. I don't mean diplomacy skills or something but some kind of reputation the fighter enjoys when around common folk.
Think about it. The fighter is the man every joe normal can (or wishes) to identify with. All magic-casters are strange and a bit terrifying, you never really know what those experts (rogues, rangers...) actually do all day, and clerics and paladins are just too righteous.
BUT the fighter! He is a folks man. He is easy to understand. He fights monsters, gathers treasures, likes to drink and spend a round, etc.
Before you start, I know, every character (class independent) could do this, but as I said, the fighter is the one the common farmer identifies most (if ever).
The fighter should be some kind of Warlord or Field Commander in higher levels, so bring back the army a fighter builds up in time.