Getting party members does require becoming a champion.
There's a guide in the game files right under Game.exe if you're stuck. But the permanent party members are the following people in Cyobet:
1) Edmund the priest in Loracre (west of the castle)
2) Elizabeth the knight in Aldlyn (north of the castle)
3) Isolde the sorceress in Corvale (south of the castle)
4) Peter the hunter in Fairtown (southernmost town).
There's also a couple of non-permanent party members, respectively Alwel the elf mage in Quay, Curow (available after you unlock the boat or the teleportation crystal), a mage near Hosca tower in Nemond (also available after you unlock the boat/teleportation crystal), and Letholdus the merchant in Goard island (available if you unlock the boat).
You can have 3 of the permanent members, and all/any of the non-permanent ones (though the maximum number of party members is still 4, so they can be in the reserve).
Thanks for the compliment. I'm taking a break at the moment, since I don't have an idea for a game, but I'll try.
The job points are from a plugin. I'm not sure how to disable them.