After spending months game testing and reading the cluebook, i decided to share some opinions on party builds on darklands.

My party plan includes:having at least STR+END total of 75, enough for full plate, large shield and long sword; whenever possible, have STR 39+, because 39 is a point where STR give another bonus damage for many weapons. unless stated otherwise, all the following builds start with STR 40:

1- The noble Druid. Hermits are the best woodwise profession, but they require 15 virtue. Only a noble novice can reach 15 virtue at age 20. It is not uncommon to advance the druid until 50y, an age where they become better healers than a 40y physician(and stronger). gaming with 80 woodwise is quite reveating.
Alternative: pick a country commoner , select hunter and novice. you will end up with a druid with less healing but more Int, Per and Woodwise. I prefer the Noble druid because the Country Druid stops around age 45. Final stats: end 37, str 39, healing 53, woodwise 80.

2-The talking alchemist: female country commoner, 40 STR and END, rest goes to INT. 2x Oblate, Alchemist, Master alchemist. This is the weakest member, with END38 STR37. maximize SpkC and Alch, try to get both SpkL and R&W as high as possible. She will be your face most of the time, because you need to increase her SpkC at every oportunity to have a chance of trading formulas.
alternative: 4x Oblate- you will be stronger, but the SpkC is too low. If you pick this one, remember that the friar becomes the face and will focus on SpkC , not religion.

3-The honey tongued friar. This is just a country commoner that picks novice and friar. It focus on CHA and Religion/Virtue, SpcK is a secondary skill. Use the High CHAR to buy low and sell high.

4- The perceptive artificer. a country commoner with 3x peddler and 2xLaborer, focus on Artf and StrW.

Each build is designed to either: maximize the required stat or allow a functioning character to reach the 5th profession offsetting aging penalties.