I'm thinking that in order to keep the gap between new players and veteran players from growing too large in this vertical system, we need to let everyone start earning points at level 1.
Because it takes so much to get even one cp when 'unenlightened', I also feel that instead of using straight exp, use skill gains. When every a player increases a skill that experience should go towards earning the cp. So if a player goes up in a crafting level, or an ava level or even the stealing skill, it will count. I'm not sure how the math would work, but I think this would make gaining those points easier.