Very New to Game, is this a sound course?

[Kutulhu]

Hello, I just got Dominions 2 and I am playing my first game, well, actually continuing my demo game.

I am playing the C'tis and I the computer is Man.

Like most, I didn't read really anything before playing (except for some Online general info) and I think I am going okay. However, one thing I did know about was BATTLE AFFLICTIONS. And before I learned about them, my pretender has FOUR on him. I have about 180 turns until he dies of disease. The other afflictions make him useless.

This is how I figure to get out of this.

Empower a Marshmaster to Level 5 Nature. Research to level 8 (I think) and summon a Fairy Queen to heal my pretender. My pretender has no Nature skills (not that he can do anything with all his sickness)

Will this work?

Also, I read that the Chalice can help with Afflictions...how is that made.

Thanks for any help.