So an update on this play through, (minor spoilers) I'm now level 12 in the snowy area, it's sooo much easier. Starting to actually feel powerful. Went back to defeat the cyceal area main boss and man they got messed up lol. Surprisingly with only 2 Geo my most powerful spell is poison dart, when an enemy can actually take the poison damage. I've got both with 15+ (14 base) Intelligence and have made my witch/pyro into a 9 (7 base) Strength battle mage with 3 Man at Arms. Spell cool downs have lowered quite a bit I'm not sure if it's because of the high INT? Taking some points into crafting and black smithing turned out to be a great decision, high quality gear is making a huge difference. Anyway I'm glad I stuck it out this far it seems actually possible now haha..
Question tho if anyone knows, I read later on I can meet a demon that can respec my characters. I thought it read he can also remove a learned talent and grants you 10 ability points in exchange? Can he remove lone wolf on one my characters? Would I then lose my bonus ability points I got from having lone wolf? And would I be able to recruit a companion then?