Well, just read over 60 pages, so I'd just like to say great thread
On topic, I don't see the objections to using the mole. We have it, and can reinforce any tunnels with plants or stuff. Also, I think we should keep all the manarack ourselves ideally..... note that corruptor said it is only sold in EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES and this implies that it is even more useful than previously thought.
Also I have an idea for when we do get manarack:
Manarack obelisks, infused with chaos magic, creating a self sustaining chaos field around the village, which would interrupt all direct attacks on us by other gods, (allowing safer mining) and also...... more mages
Backtracking slightly, I propose we return to the idea of nesting firejackets with the dwarves, but RETAIN CONTROL. We treat it as a standing trade good and so get stuff in return, gain favor, gain firejackets, and if things go badly wrong....... we have a swarm of fire bugs INSIDE his fort.
I also propose we put a tiny amount of mana into the spiders, make them breed and grow faster. Because terrifying spider armies + flying fortress = SPIDER RAIN. Chaos ftw
+1 to more fields also
Apologies for my little backlog of opinions there.
Edit: I acknowledge food would be an issue with the spiders, but if we could get round that it would be awesome.....