2 things I don't get

[Tifone]

1)Do the Fire Brands and Frost Brands hit with their area attack the wielder too? Do you need something to further boost F/C resistance on the wielder (as the brand itself already gives some resistance)?

2) Earthquake. This spell is still quite a mistery for me after many games.
How do you effectively defend from this? Fog Warriors. Etherealness. Ok, I know this. Let's imagine I can't get those, or even better, just forget the units. I want my mages/SC to be protected from this. How do I do? 2 Shields? 2 Main Gauches of Parrying? Armors?

Thanks for any wise answer.