[chrispedersen]

I guess I would make the following points:

1. Try a Magic +3. Your mages then go 120 gp for 4 research, to 120 gp for 6. Plus you are sacred.

2. Your earth readers, with an appropriate forger, become fantastically useful.

3. Your Oracles should be used for SC's, and for booster production when your pretender is not.

Early in the game, choose the oracles with death (not the other ones). They have a lower chance of affliction. Use them to get bootstrapped in death and to build your earth boosters.