game option/old age

[Tuidjy]

I like the old age mechanics, but I think that it needs to be balanced cost wise.
Humans have poor stats, and age quickly. Ok, fine, but that's offset by their
quick reproduction, thus human mages should be at least a bit cheaper than similar
Vanir / Abysians / Nagas.

Furthermore, I think that just as some mages are recruited a bit older than most,
some mages should be recruited a bit healthier than most, and have their old age
trigger point delayed.

And finally, I would love to see an item that _reverses_ the aging process. I.e.
each year will make the mage one year younger.

I am talking about balance, because Pythium, which was my stronger nation in
Dominions II seems to have fallen down quite a few rings down the ladder due
to old age. There are plenty of other good nations, and I just realized that
all of my favorite nations (EA Arco, LA Man and C'tis) are old age nations.
So old age can't be that much of a game breaker, can it?