re: teleport
You don't need teleport. Usually you can get the same results from throwing your Pyramid around, or by finding an alternate route.
There is a spell "Feather Fall" which is identicaly to teleport, except the target doesn't take damage.
You don't need high attitude to do J & M's quests, they just need to be in your party. I don't know how to raise it, but it goes down when you injure them. Try to avoid friendly fire.
I'm still trying to figure out exactly when do vendors refresh since they've had the same skillbooks for sale for a while now while my characters continue to level up in skill and levels and what not. Friendly fire is usually easy to avoid, only time they get hurt is when im using teleport on them.