[shovah]

caelum is one of the few nations where i would build the more expensive mages simply due to their low cost, rush up alteration and get quickness and false horror. a nice shield of something (like vine ogres) and 10 mages scripted to quickness and horror spam will anihilated nearly anything. for caelum a nice pretender is air 4-6, enough fire for flaming arrows and maybe 3 nature (for cauldrons of broth and such)
you really should consider items other than research/food/clams. have you ever used an sc like a banelord or air queen? if not i really suggest you do