Learning from my mistakes:

[Nerfix]

Mind Hunt & such don't have any "favouring" in them. A S1 mage could snip a S10 mage's silvery cord just as easily a S10 mage would snip S5 mage's silver cord.

[Endoperez]

N2 mage can forge Thistle Mace (Constr. 4 IIRC), which boosts him into N3. N3S1 allows for Moonvine Bracelet, so N4. N4 allows for Treelord's Staff, +2 N but it replaces Thistle Mace, so -> N5. Nature 5 already allows for Gift of Health, I think. Hmm. Check from someone that it works on inanimate beings (Oracles) first.

Faery Queen at high Conjuration is another possibility. Lamia Queens, also from Conjuration, will give you access to Death and Astral at least once you get lucky with one's randoms.