dunno about mary... the flags are so poor, they need a lot to be viable, and have the flaming head to get them to f9s9 for relatively cheap. I don't think a death bless would get you anywhere for early expansion. Mind you, D9 smiters would have me keep anything valuable a long way away from them
Mictlan, or perhaps MA pyth or Shinu... they would be scary for a purely mage bless
also sacred hydras for LA pyth, as has been mentioned. anyone w/ sacred archers