I leveled up to level 5 with my mage. When I started to distribute ability-points they disappeared once I allocated them. Meaning I spend 9 points in mage abilities and they all disappeared.
The same happened when I tried to increase my intelligence from 9 to 10. Point was gone, but no increase.
It might be worth noting that I already had 50 points in mage abilities. This might be some sort of cap? But still, you shouldn't lose the points.
Same goes for stats, maybe 9 is some sort of cap.
There was a place on the beach near the statues where I encountered 2 bandits, led by Dietmar. I bought a staff from them and went on my merry way. Yet my journal said I fought them and they were very hostile.
