[Twan]

For Ct'is ME I recommand very good income scales + high domininion more than a strong bless (the miasma bonus being in %, combined with order 3 it usually make ct'is the richest nation) and positive magic (so shamans become very cost effective researchers). Then the pretender may be prismatic to diversify the nation or a combat one, eventually with a little nature or water bless to give the snakes some chances to survive longer (they are really vulnerable units).

No need of an awake god, for initial expansion massed light infantry/city guards with snakes for morale do the job very well, then skeleton spaming marshmasters, assassins with skull talisman or heavy lizards can take most strong indie provinces.

Be careful with the pretender choice : you need a cold blooded or poison resistant pretender to avoid to see him affected by the miasma effect.

ps : snakes worth the investment for their standard ability only, several in all squads + fanaticism/sermon make C'tis armies very hard to rout.