Ulm SP AAR- Swords Vs. Sorcery

[boltcutter]

At the moment I have 11 Smiths [having gone through rather a lot in the several disasters. . .] As of the start of the turn, 3 are researching. Yes, I have turn 41 and 17 research points [probably to go up rapidly this turn.] Current gem income: 7 Earth, 3 nature, 3 astral, 2 fire, 2 air, 1 water, and 3 blood.

I have Conjuration 4, Alteration 3, Evocation 4, Construction 5, and Thaumaturgy 2 researched. I'm at about 8 in research; the top 3 [Jotunheim, Caelum, and Vanheim] are at around 18-20.

Priest support [moralewise] is very hard to come by- I have *one* priest that can boost morale- my prophet.

Given these things, I think my best bet is Trolls at about 360 RP from where I am, with Crushers in the meantime.

If I have surplus Earth gems, which would be better:
Uparmoring my Smiths, or lots of commanders with [say] Swords of Sharpness?