I have to confess that at some point I just kind of abandoned the acid/poison spell. I have no idea why other than that I got it in my head to use fire for those kind of attacks for the most part. I also used to get enchant all the time but for some reason put that aside also; I guess I just didn't want to bother.

Your suggestions would definitely have made the early going in this game a lot easier. I should have asked before I started.