I'm about to start my second play through, got about 1/3 way on the last playthrough and stopped in the coils area and am trying to pick a race that can eventually take up the Jester profession. I'm looking at the 3 with the least points needed and have found the following:

1)Durendil: On my first playthough I think I only saw one piece of Durendil gear

2)Naga: No pants is insulting, and no boots too

3)Wolfin: The wolfin has to go through bard and wolfin bard is a 20% penalty to level ups and permant resistance penalty. I could end up spending 9 levels (or worse stuck) of bard to get to Jester

Is there time to get to the others (drake, barrower, rattu)? Has anyone found a combo without penalties?

I'm kinda interested in the metalsmith > beserker > ranger > thief > bard > jester path