I seem to remember there being a way to swap party members, if you find someone you have just isn't effective. But I can't for the life of me figure out how anymore. Is this something that unlocks at a certain point in the game?

When in inventory/stats/etc, click on the character's name just below the portrait. This allows you to change the portrait/voice/etc, and IIRC it also has an option to dismiss the character from the party.

NPCs have an "out the door" icon in the inventory/stats/etc panels.

Before you get rid of them though, what character(s) are you having trouble with?

Step 1. Open the inventory screen (i) and look at the characters portrait.

Step 2a. in the case of an npc there will be a dismiss button on the portrait which will tell them to leave the group… if you have tricked them into an area that they wouldn't normally go then they may insist on staying with you but otherwise they will drop most of their items and leave.

Step 2b. in the case of an actual party member you have to click on their name to open a new screen then click the dismiss button on the bottom left corner… at this point you have the option to make a new character but be warned that this action is not reversible once completed so save your game first.

Thanks for the information. Is this something that can be done at the beginning of the game, even? Like I make a bad choice in party, am about one floor into the Monastery, and want to change someone out?

Sure, although at that point you might as well do a fresh start since there isn't much invested in the party and you can redesign everyone accordingly.

The fact that swapped party members start at level 1 with no XP generally makes it a pointless option, unless you're using a save editor to equalize the new character. But then again, if you're using a save editor you can just change their race and class directly for a much simpler solution. But if you're still in the Monastery, starting over would probably be a better option.

Really though, there are very few "wrong" options (e.g. Lizardman Bishop) so there shouldn't be much need to get rid of a character. Some classes aren't strong at first but become very powerful later... while other classes start strong and remain viable throughout the game, but don't have the same payout in endgame. Which character are you having a problem with?

I think you'll find the answer already bolded above =)

Basically I created that exact thing as an amusing joke, but didn't intend to add it to my party. I had created another lizardman for another purpose, and had meant to add them instead. Misclicked at party creation, started play, and found some really cool spell books randomly in that first chest. So I would rather not lose those spellbooks, and just wanted to quickly swap out the character I misclicked for the one I intended.

So I'm glad to see I can do that without having to start over again and probably not find those spells in the same chest.

Lizardman Psionic is actually a very powerful combo because the immunity to mental conditions counters the main Lizardman weakness and the lack of mana regen is simple to compensate for with items… restarting is an option but I'd probably just swap classes to psionic at the next level up.

p.s. give her the Ebon Staff that Antone makes.

edit... wow -40, nevermind.