Final Newbie Question (or compilation of questions!)

[happygeek]

ok thank you!
What does "insanity" actually do?

Another question: I am playing a first time with MA Abysia - fun! But what's the deal with the national summons? If I see right, they get some interesting ghost men thingies at conjuration 2, I think -- cost 5 death gems. But I can't cast that. I don't think I can even get a random death pick on warlocks (at least ive never gotten one). I suppose I *could* design a pretender around being able to cast that spell (I chose an air and earth titan), and make him search for death gems, but that just seems weird -- or is that what everyone does, what you are supposed to do with MA Abysia?

One last one: A lot of those mages are Old. Just like those Pythium guys. It doesn't say that explicitly in the manual -- only that the older you get, the weaker -- but the old ones seem to collect these aweful diseases and other handicaps (like mute!). Is that from old age? Is there a way to figure out who has a chance of getting what when, and something to do about it?
Thank you!