[Taqwus]

Might be worth noting that while your mages tend towards the old, you do have a national ritual ('Inner Alchemy') that can reduce age. The usual 'ring of regeneration to stave off death by disease' road is also accessible. A ring will also help stop the Master of the Iron Crutch from dying of his own leprosy cloud.

Regarding Lu-Tung Pin, I don't recall his stats, but he's a flying immortal who's a decent swordsman, but better used as a combat mage -- he's rather nasty with Astral Fires, for instance.