So you're telling me that people get random skill increases as well as weapons and dogs? I've fought people who had 2 f**king weapons at level 1 and 2 dogs (one of which attacked 5 times at once) at level 2. If that's the case that's bullshit.

My character has 3 bars in each str, spd, and agility, but I've seen other characters with maxed out skills at my lvl. Is xp random too? Am I missing some way to boost my skills?

When you first make your character you get either a pet, weapon, or one of the special things (the small boxes under your weapons) which either increase stats or give you special moves.