[Kobal2]

Seems to me what you want from your pretender, in order of importance:

- Order 3/Magic 3/token Growth
- high dominion
- Strong combat capabilities to fend of rushes, TC rules the endgame but is weak early on
- Death access
- A bless for your cap cav and/or your sacred mages and/or your sacred summons

You can afford to take misfortune, because of your free PD which also happens to all pack bows. Barbarian attacks are not a concern. You can probably also afford 1 point of sloth since you're going to have lots of castles (no more, else you'll have trouble expanding). Because you're going to rely on communions later on, I don't think moderate cold or heat scales are too problematic either.

I'd look into a Lich (the combat one, not the Master Lich) or Ghost King, or perhaps a Titan with 3-5 death (maybe a Deva or LoP ?), sleeping.

Baalz' guide suggests taking Prod 3 and someone to spam Lamia Queens with for both Death and Blood access mid-late game, which is an interesting thought.