well what i was sort of going for is that with low character skill, player skill can't effect much (limited options in combat). basically player skill is sort of "capped" by character skill, so a skilled player is in charge of making strategic decisions to use what the character has trained and learned to its full potential, but no more than that.
i guess when i said player skill i meant more like the players strategic ability. the player can decide how they use the characters capabilities. the more the character knows and learns, the more tactical options and advantages the player has access to.
in a battle you still are telling her what to do in the same way you would tell her to attack or use an item, but with a higher character skill level you're telling her to use the special techniques she learned over the course of the game.
and for the last thing... i don't have enough money :(