The spell Body ethereal

[Boron]

body etheral is alteration 3 .
alteration 3 covers all buffs needed for vq for indy killing .

that makes pythium a great early game expander .
some theurgs / theurg alcolytes + principles .
as pvk said 4-5 such mages with principles on hold order are enough to cover at least 60% with body etheral .

so pythium can easy take 2 provinces / turn from turn 5 on .

you could as a variation put 2-3 S on your vq . because she is poison immune she can then body etheralize hydras . or you completely screw the vq sc build and give her high astral magic instead for mind duels + astral supporter

unfortunately serpent cult is because of its lack of astral magic not a viable choice
otherwise serpent priests + hydras + bless would rock .
but astral magic is the crucial element in my early game pythium strat .