Some idears

[Samhain]

I think EA Abysia is playable the way it is now. Between cheap F2 mages and excellent infantry, even when largely ignoring your Burning Ones EA Abysia's early game is exceptional. After that, the options are good though fairly obvious. And, the difficulty in fielding non 100% FR units can be a pain sometimes. But, if everything in your list were added in, it would be exceptional all the way through which also is not good for balance. I would second the non-cap warlock apprentices though.

[Nightfall]

I think the problem is that you need to realise that Abysia gains tons more from a Luck 3 rainbow pretender with a minor E4N4 bless than they do from any big bless configuration.

Your most important early game goal with Abysia is to secure a good indy mage spot to diversify your mage recruiting.