I'm not sure if this has been mentioned yet (im too lazy to read through 52 pages) or if it's possible, but do you think that once you get to spells that require reagents (i believe this idea was posted by woodelf) do you think it would be possible to have a "raise the dead" spell? It would be targetted anywhere you have line of sight and would either:
1)Raise all units that had died in the target tile and the eight around during the entire game
2)Raise a certain number of skelatons
Also, im not really sure what the avatar you were speaking about is (i stopped reading at about page 20 or so) but i think it might be like a unit that there is only one of and is very powerful. I personally like the idea of having civs have preset govt and religions for the following reason. You could have a new tech (or just find one that would fit this) that when researched, provides the civ that researched it with a hero/god/king/avatar thing.
Each would have different abilities.
Runes of Kilmorph: Some big fat Giant or Dwarf. Strongest of the five but also the slowest. Has collateral damage (a lot of it). Regains health by eating wild animals? Perhaps this should go somewhere else. Personally, i would like to see some hero have a cannabalize ability.
Ashen Veil: Weakest, but 2nd fastest, maybe like a Liche? Necromancy- has a high (35%-40%) chance to raise a defeated unit in the area around him from the dead as a skelaton each turn. Freeze- can stop all units in a stack from moving/attacking for one turn.
Human: 2nd strongest, 3rd fastest. Provides major strength bonuses for units in same and adjacent tiles. Bonus against undead units. Can cast heal.
Fellowship of Leaves: Middle strength, Fastest. Can attack from up to two squares away, invisible in woods, can summon moonstalker (white panther).
Octopuss Overlords: 2nd weakest, 2nd slowest. Can move on land coast, and sea. Mind control- Can Convert one unit per turn from enemy to Overlord's side. Perhaps here would be a good place for the cannabalize ability? Not sure, but if this was possible, could you do it please?