[thejeff]

I'd argue against a large bless. The woodsmen aren't worth it. Capital only, large, no shields, no real special abilities. They're not good enough for a strong rush and to remain relevant into the mid/late game. Jarls are the natural focus for a bless strategy, but if you're gearing up thugs Skratti are better. For them, a bless with Shrouds can be nice, but it's hardly essential.
I'd aim for an awake or dormant pretender to add magic diversity, particularly Earth for hammers, and a minor bless or two. E4N4 for the regen/reinvig or E4S4 mostly for forging ES boosters etc.