[Valerius]

I'm fond of stealthy pretenders like the Master Druid (even better is the Arch Druid available to some nations). If it's early in the game and you're out site searching you'll only be visible the turn you search - by the time an attack comes you'll have snuck away again. And while your pretender probably has better things to do, in a pinch they can provide mind hunt protection if you've had bad luck with spectres (I've sometimes had to spend 80-100 gems before I got one with an S random) or just haven't research Conj. 6.

Later on, casting ritual of returning and equipping an exilir of life will let you survive a magic duel (though of course you may come out of it with an affliction).