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Just a quick Note about Practical Metamagic....you have to choose what Metamagic feat it goes to and it can lower the + level by one to a minimum of +1 ... so you can't use it on say Extend Spell since it can be lowered below +1
Oh though there is a Feat in Complete Mage that allows you to...
In Tome of Magic there is a Noctumancer PrC...if you read the adaption it suggests a change that makes it strickly arcane caster.
Noctumancer has some really nice counterspell ablities....
I am currently playing a 9th level on with the same paths and human with Dark creature template. I use the Eyes of Darkness path a bit but not as often as I would like, but peiceing sight is less useful to me since I have darkvision naturaly. If you are playing a straight human you might use it...