These guys aren't charging in to die, they are charging in to make sure you don't steal all their kills and get all the good loot. They may be tired, injured, and retired but those instincts don't go away. They don't see a troll horde, they see a bunch of xp pinatas and who can resist a pinata?

I agree, and I have no complaints. My initial surprise was soon replaced with a grin. In fact, it might be nifty to play a roguelike where nothing is explicitly declared "dead". After each blow, your character evaluates the enemy. It might be safe to turn your back on that "pulped" orc, but loot that "pulped" gelatinous cube with care. Might lead to some interesting battle choices.

NPCs with instinct of self-preservation are too bizzare for roguelike world where all rotates around stupid deaths :) You can often stay on their way and they won't move, though.

They are desperate to get to their destination. You can tell them (once) to stay behind by right clicking on them, and selecting "give order". This is in Beta 19, however they don't stay there too long (10 turns maybe less?), and you can only do it once.

Started a Dwarf Berserker, and ho boy is he a blast. I've gotten him all the way to the first quests on the far eastern continent (my first time even close to getting this far). Just got into Ardhungol and have been fighting HUNDREDS of undead, its been nothing but a solid wall of attackers for almost a half an hour. thankfully between my awesome sword and infusions i've only gotten below half hp a couple of times throughout the fight. Unfortunately all the loot on the ground and monster effects are really starting to make my poor laptop really start to chug, hopefully it doesnt lag out with too much lost.

Having set upon the antimagic quest I have now been set upon by a kidnapped merchant.. in I go. Hmm level 3v10 this may have been a bad idea.
Whops forgot about the runes, time to start again.

Nice, first level back was a sun paladin who I was able to save. now I can chant and sing.

Wow I can hold my breath for a long time.

Whops,arrogance killed me again. There was nothing in the old forest that could hurt me. Then the horrors under the lake owned my last life.

RIP Dragon Bones

Chant of Fortitude is actually pretty nice now. The saving throws (at least up until level 20 or so when I got bored with my mage) actually seem to be making a difference.

Besides, it's not even a question of Hymn of Perseverance vs. Chant of Fortitude, they're given by two different escorts and both can be active at the same time.

Besides, rather or not it's worth it is irrelevant, you give up nothing for it, except maybe the little bit of magic he'd have given you or a measly +3% physical resist.

Again, I understand the words but not the meaning. It might be me though as English is only my primary language. I kid. But seriously it seems there is a disconnect between your information and what I am experiencing in the game. Not that I have gone back to the class after my abysmal first experiences. When I do I will try and apply what you said though it seems to me my energy drained without EVER touching an aura.

A few comments.
1. I feel your pain. You sound like me fumble fingering and falling victim to UI problems.
2. Resting with the '5' key on the number pad removes the possibility of going more than 1 round.
3. chant of fortitude gives you a tiny amount of physical resistance. Worth it? Not sure but I doubt it. Hymn of Perservance on the other hand is pretty good, particularly if you get it multiple times.
4. For archmage I try to get flame to 4 (5.2 actual level gives the beam) manathrust to 3 (again gives beam) and take freeze and flameshock for their stun effects. I also try and get probability travel later (because early on it is useless until you have enough mana that -200 doesn't cripple you) using phase door and teleport in the meantime.

Hope that helps.

Shields protect you and turn absorbed damage into energy. This is the primary means of gaining energy. Auras project energy, doing damage to everyone around you. Running around with an aura on is a sure way to empty your energy pool.

I notice that neither of your two mindslayers in the vault has Beyond the Flesh or Kinetic Shield activated. Neither of these require energy to activate, though the shield does reduce your maximum energy. Turning both of these on will help a great deal. I see that you did at some point use Kinetic Shield on your first mindslayer, but didn't reactivate it when it cooled down. Try to keep it active at all times (cooldown intervals excluded, of course). Beyond the Flesh should stay on almost all the time. It has no cooldown, no cost, and no drawbacks. It is your primary means of doing damage.