What is the benefit of letting tier 3 characters gestalt with tier 6? Aside from warrior or samurai for full BAB... maaaybe expert for the skills, there doesn't seem to be a point, is it possible to allow tier 5 picks?

It doesn't have to balance exactly. Obviously these are fuzzy calculations. I guess I am looking for more tank like characters to feel like they are contributing as much as the spellcasters.

Wizard can gain entry into Anima Mage at 2nd level, 10th level brings binding Zceryll (for free summoning) and a spell cast as an immediate action once a day. Pump the other levels into Incantatrix and/or Initiate of the Seven Fold Veil. On the other side, you could multiclass out of Factotum after level 8. Multiclass into Artificer, or stick it out in Factotum, or explore other options. The gestalt handbook is a great resource.

Knight-Paladin, Crusader, Gestalt Theurge, maybe Ruby Knight Vindicator. 9th level maneuvers, 6th level divine spells, knight's challenge, auras. With harmonious knight feature, Imperious Command, Thicket of Blades (maybe Mage Slayer). Buff and heal your allies and yourself, lock down foes, deal good damage, be a big bad son of a gun. As long as the DM allows homebrews and is not worried about melee characters who don't stink.

...let alone characters with an LA of +10

I would recommend taking a one level dip of something with full BAB on the Ninja side at first level. Then the lost BAB from the classes with 3/4 BAB progression never synch up and you get full BAB. Which is good for the type of melee character you are playing.

Yes, I think that is the way to go. I am going to try to get far enough away from this situation to find the Grey Wardens and try to get them to conscript me. If the character survives it will further the plot.

@JoanSparrow actually... I might have been at fault. His exact words were "you totally should, it would be fun"

@lithas When I asked he said I had painted myself into a corner in character creation by still creating a mage after he vetoed Circle Mage, and asked if I had really thought it was going to be that easy.