[Twan]

I think that the affliction chance once old is not too high, it's having all the best mages or priests starting old that is annoying for some nations. Just imagine instead most of them starting 1-3 years before the old age limit... you would have a guarantee they won't become diseased 2 turns after recruitment, and old age would still be an important long term factor (and continue to have the same power for decay and BoT effects) but not one more random factor for short term.

Old age is a good idea I think, but once you have recruited your best priest as EA Ermor, appointed him as your prophet and seen him become deseased the next turn, you start to find the mechanic less fun. As well spending 250+gp on a mage to see him mute or feebleminded in the year is not the pinnacle of a game experience IMO.